220v safe to use ?

musicalstash

Picked up this French multi effects processor which has a 220v output and was wondering if it's safe to use in the UK. 

I did plug it in before I checked the rating ,  and it turns on but no output and non of the  switches work . 

Guessing the original plug may have been changed. 

Is it safe? 

https://ibb.co/7xqTfCGs
 

ICBM

Safe, yes. The internal voltages will be a bit high but there are almost certainly regulators for the more important low-voltage stuff. The problem may be that at 240V input, the regulators will run quite a bit hotter and it's not impossible one could have failed. Or some other completely unrelated fault - I'm guessing it's 80s from the style of it.

musicalstash

ICBM said:

Safe, yes. The internal voltages will be a bit high but there are almost certainly regulators for the more important low-voltage stuff. The problem may be that at 240V input, the regulators will run quite a bit hotter and it's not impossible one could have failed. Or some other completely unrelated fault - I'm guessing it's 80s from the style of it.

Thanks  , it's Europa multi effects not too sure of it's age but looks 80s.

When I turn it on all the LEDs flash but go out  with only the display staying on , but none of the switches do anything.or turn back on. 


. 

https://ibb.co/1YkbRrmz

https://ibb.co/jkX0WTP1

ICBM

The first thing I would suspect is the memory battery - it's clearly leaking, and although I might expect the unit to work (just not store settings) I could be wrong, I'm not very well-versed in logic circuits - it may just prevent the control circuit from working at all.

If the unit is French it's likely the battery has already been changed at least once, since that one (RS) is British. The exact type is discontinued but a 150mAh one will be fine in its place - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/button-rechargeable-batteries/0422393

Also, be careful when poking around in there - it's got CMOS logic chips which can easily be damaged by static electricity. It's best to wear an earthing wristband and connect it to the casing of the unit. An old guitar string with the long end threaded through the ball, pulled tight around your wrist and the loose end trapped under one of the casing screws will make a usable alternative if you don't want to buy one.

Of course, it's possible that's the problem already...

woodworm

ICBM said:

The first thing I would suspect is the memory battery - it's clearly leaking, and although I might expect the unit to work (just not store settings) I could be wrong, I'm not very well-versed in logic circuits - it may just prevent the control circuit from working at all.

If the unit is French it's likely the battery has already been changed at least once, since that one (RS) is British. The exact type is discontinued but a 150mAh one will be fine in its place - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/button-rechargeable-batteries/0422393

Also, be careful when poking around in there - it's got CMOS logic chips which can easily be damaged by static electricity. It's best to wear an earthing wristband and connect it to the casing of the unit. An old guitar string with the long end threaded through the ball, pulled tight around your wrist and the loose end trapped under one of the casing screws will make a usable alternative if you don't want to buy one.

Of course, it's possible that's the problem already...

Thanks again , will order a battery and go from there .. ... will update once installed...

marauder

Those 6 traces under the battery probably have been eaten by the leakage.  Cut the battery out and have look.   

musicalstash

marauder said:

Those 6 traces under the battery probably have been eaten by the leakage.  Cut the battery out and have look.   

Cut the battery out , only two of the pins were connected.  The traces look ok .was hoping to snip the legs and then solder the new battery to them but the "single" leg hole looks corroded. 


https://ibb.co/1tP3KzKJ

ICBM

It’s missing the solder pad, but as long as the one on the other side is OK it will be fine. Just be careful as you push the pin through - it will be easy to lift the pad there as well.