Ramsey Electronics SHA2 - Manual (Page 21)

SHA2 • 21
TROUBLESHOOTING
While we hoped it wouldn’t come to this, it’s possible that your SHA2 didn’t
work as soon as you applied power. The main thing to remember in a situation
like this is . . . don’t panic! It’s usually something simple and since you built
the kit, you know the kit and you’ll find it if you look carefully. Just follow a
logical approach when troubleshooting.
The first thing to check is always your component placement, especially ICs,
diodes, and electrolytic capacitors. Make sure that the resistors with similar
color bands haven’t been switched. Then flip the board over and make sure
that all the solder connections look good, that none have been missed, and
that there are no bridged connections that don’t belong. 90% of the problems
we see on kits that have been sent in for repair are construction errors of one
kind or another so this really is the place to start.
Check your headphones on a different source to be sure they aren’t the
problem. This is also a good thing to do if the SHA2 seems noisy because it’s
probably not the kit but may well be a poor connection inside the headphones.
The next step may seem obvious but we’ll state it anyway. Be sure you have a
good 9 volt battery or a good power source if you’re using a wall transformer.
A multimeter is helpful here. Also be sure that the tip of the adapter is positive,
especially if you didn’t get it from Ramsey. A meter isn’t the best way to test a
battery but it will tell you if a 9 volt is beyond hope. A battery tester will put the
battery or cell under a load and give you a better indication of its condition. If
the input power from your regulated supply or wall transformer is good you
can check your regulator to see what’s coming in and if you have a good 10
volts going out. (This does not apply if you’re using a 9 volt battery; the kit
runs directly from the battery and bypasses the regulator.) If the output of the
regulator is good then you can take a look at the schematic and note the
power input pins on the ICs, then check them to be sure they’re being
supplied with the correct voltages.
Beyond these checks you’ll need some test equipment such as an
oscilloscope to follow your line level source through until you see the signal
stop. You can read the warranty instructions on the inside back cover of this
manual and send the kit in for repair If you get in over your head. All the
information for returning a kit to Ramsey for repair is on that page.
If you need help you can call Tech Support at 585-924-4560 and speak with a
technician. You can expect to be taken back over the ground covered above
when you call, so be prepared. We can tell the people who read through the
troubleshooting and checked their kit over from the ones who panicked and
called before checking. But rest assured that one way or another you’ll have a
working SHA2 when all is said and done.