I've been using my VTD for a little over a year now, and its been great. My only gripe is that the LED's are super dim and I can hardly see them, especially playing outdoor shows, or in daylight in general. I have other pedals with blue LED's and they're great. When the battery door is open you can see the LED soldered to the board, so I was wondering if any other VTD users had changed or thought about changing theirs. Any help would be much appreciated guys, thanks!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Changing LED Colors on VT Bass Deluxe
- Thread starter thatbasskid597
- Start date
I got me some super bright LEDs (Invalid Link Removedwas easy enough) in both 5mm and 3mm sizes just to have on hand. Make sure to get the correct size. The water clear line is nice, I think.
Could be the resistors in the series, as well. Schematics would say what's currently in there, then take it down a notch, if you're capable.
Could be the resistors in the series, as well. Schematics would say what's currently in there, then take it down a notch, if you're capable.
Great, thanks for the link! Could you elaborate more on the second part about the resistors?
If there's not a resistor in series with the LEDs, then it will probably burn out within seconds of turning it on.
If, for example, you have a 10k resistor and it's too dim, then throttle it down to say, 7.5k or 6.2k. They're so cheap, that it doesn't hurt to experiment. Don't forget the "k".
Keep in mind that LEDs are polar -- and don't light one up without a Invalid Link Removed!
While tinkering around, I put a 9V battery on a Invalid Link Removed to make sure that it all works before installing.
Tayda's alright. They scale their shipping to the order and don't take too long. Like them on Facebook for discounts codes.
If, for example, you have a 10k resistor and it's too dim, then throttle it down to say, 7.5k or 6.2k. They're so cheap, that it doesn't hurt to experiment. Don't forget the "k".
Keep in mind that LEDs are polar -- and don't light one up without a Invalid Link Removed!
While tinkering around, I put a 9V battery on a Invalid Link Removed to make sure that it all works before installing.
Tayda's alright. They scale their shipping to the order and don't take too long. Like them on Facebook for discounts codes.
Yes, you can change the led, but there is a reason for leds being dim on some effects. Leds are quite power hungry when run bright, so if you run your VT on a battery, you will have to change it more often after this. Especially with a bright blue led. No problem if you have a power supply.
As others have said, the dimness is almost certainly not the led itself, but the resistor that connected to it. Check if there's a resistor directly connected to either pin, and try changing its value. (Google "LED resistor calculator")
As others have said, the dimness is almost certainly not the led itself, but the resistor that connected to it. Check if there's a resistor directly connected to either pin, and try changing its value. (Google "LED resistor calculator")
Fredde said:
It's run on a power supply, so no worries on the power consumption. I'm going to crack it open and have a look inside. That'd be great if I could just make the existing LED's a bit brighter.
Okay, so I just opened up the VTD and had a look inside. I don't think I see any resistors. Would they be right next to the LED's? Or somewhere else on the board?
Here's a couple pics:
Here's a couple pics:
Alright. But I looked through the manual and there's no schematics. I also checked Tech 21's website and there isn't one there either.
If you show us the other side of the PCB we can probably tell you where the resistors are. Desoldering SMD components can be a pain in the donkey, so if you measure the resistors with a multimeter we can suggest some resistor values to solder in parallel to reduce the value.
Soldering SMD in general is a pain... In this case it might be easier to change the LED to one with a smaller drop-voltage and a clear casing. Or a green one, as they visually appear brighter pr. Watt (The eye is more sensitive to green).
I think I saw a schematic floating around on freestompboxes, will check it out.
Do note that LED current can be controlled in other ways than a simple resistor. Many pedals include a somewhat constant-current-source instead.
On another note, when you take it apart, could you take a picture of the component side? I'm a bit curious about how they did the presets.
I think I saw a schematic floating around on freestompboxes, will check it out.
Do note that LED current can be controlled in other ways than a simple resistor. Many pedals include a somewhat constant-current-source instead.
On another note, when you take it apart, could you take a picture of the component side? I'm a bit curious about how they did the presets.
The schem would definitely help. I think I remember reading that measuring a resistor in the context of a circuit could alter the reading a bit.
Hmm Found schematics for the standard VT (and other character models), but not with the LED-part included. If you have a multi-meter, measure the voltage-drop over the LED and I'll see if I can find one, that gives off more light. If they use a simple resistor to limit current, measuring it with the pedal off should give an accurate reading... You just have to find the right one (it'll be one of the small black things with one to tree white numbers. Very small) Again if you post a picture of the topside, helping you would be easier. 
The reason I'm leaning more to changing the LED, is that I don't suspect you have a lot of soldering experience (but i might be wrong?), changing the LED is fairly easy - changing an SMD resistor is a pain in the butt.
(On a side note I'm tempted to change the LED in my Rocktron Flanger after reading this... It is burning my eyes with blue... Yellow or red would be nicer.)
The reason I'm leaning more to changing the LED, is that I don't suspect you have a lot of soldering experience (but i might be wrong?), changing the LED is fairly easy - changing an SMD resistor is a pain in the butt.
(On a side note I'm tempted to change the LED in my Rocktron Flanger after reading this... It is burning my eyes with blue... Yellow or red would be nicer.)
