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EHX Freeze Odd Problem

L

leavenone

Nov 7, 2011
37
0
Arkansas
www.facebook.com
#1
After poking around online for a day or two without any success, I finally decided to ask the question here:

I recently bought a used EHX Freeze from a Guitar Center (via mail) and got it, hooked it up to my 1-spot psu (chained with my bass muff pi) and worked like a charm. The next day, when i went to play it, it would almost immediately shut off as soon as I turned it on, regardless of the mode. The led would blink sporadically like i had just reset the decay time, then just turn off. I unplugged it, and it felt kind of warm - not hot, just warmer than i would have guessed. I started poking around online, then plugged it back in (not daisy chained, just plugged into the 1-spot psu), and it worked for a few minutes, then started shutting off again. Puzzled, I again unplugged it, plugged it back in, no dice. I tried it again the next day, and viola, it worked. Even when i daisy chained it with both my bass muff pi and my tuner, still worked like a charm. Then, a few hours later, it stopped working again.

I am super confused as to what is going on. Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

just a bit of info about the 1-spot (i am not sure if this is the issue or not): Output: 9V 1700mA (max), switching power supply

Thanks guys!
 
#2
My guess, bad switch or a short of the wires to metal casing. I say this because I have modded mine to use a remote sustain pedal and installed a 1/4" jack, but it was not the right type of jace and it blinked just like you mentioned. I got a plastic cased jack and now it works.

Try opening it up and put some electrical tape across the mini circuit board that is connected to the switch to protect it from making contact with the metal case. If it still flashes put another piece of electrical tape between the mystery spring on the side of the switch and the metal case.

If that doesn't work you may have a more serious issue.
 
#4
Take the back off and have a look at the circuit board attached to the footswitch.
On the side of this board is a metal plate with a spring pushed hard against the casing. Make sure the footswitch/circuit board are aligned properly and the spring is making good contact with the casing.

Other than that, it may be a bung connection/joint somewhere inside that may be a PIA to track down.

You may have to send it back to GC, they should give you some sort of short warranty on it?!
 
#7
the spring is a mystery. It may just keep switch from wiggling around??

the height of the switch is adjustable using the nuts on the shaft. raising the switch may also keep it from shorting with case.

I was pretty freaked out when mine started blinking, but since then it's been fine.
 
#9
no, its independant from the actual switch. it's on the side pushing against the side of pedal. I'm assuming it's a way to keep switch from spinning around and putting tension on the wires connecting switch to main board
 
#10
Well, I think i can say that it is not a problem with the switch shorting out. I took the switch completely out of the housing, and turned it on (in latch mode) and let it run. About 5min later, it died, then it would not stay on for any length of time in any mode.

I unplugged it, plugged it back in, and it stayed on for a bit before dying again. The seemingly randomness of it all is what perplexes me. If it was consistent, it would be easier to debug...
 
#12
Gadgetjunky said:
warranty time
Click to expand...

He bought a USED unit, hopefully for him there's a 30-day (or similar) return policy. It's a digital/DSP pedal I'm sure and not really repairable by a normal tech. I wouldn't try to mess with it or repair it, just send it back and get your refund. :(

My guess is the "spring" is used to make the ground connection from the circuit board to the metal enclosure, I've seen some other effects pedals that used this method.
 
#13
ohhhh, used stuff is 'as-is'. But this doesn't seem fair. Obviously it was messed up and because it takes a while for it to fail, nobody caught it in testing. GC usually works with ya, especially in a case like this.

My switch is remotely located in a FCB1010, so the spring does not effect it electrically at all. Sorry man
 
#14
Well, I am not sure if i should be happy or not, but I tried a different power supply (a continuous power, as opposed to the 1-spot's switching power), and that seemed to do the trick. Unfortunately, Im broke (a common ailment among musicians) and cannot afford a new power supply, unless someone knows of a cheap one?

Thanks for you help guys!
 

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