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NEW VT PLUS SERIES FX LOOP

Moderators: Voxman, laurent_56

First unread post • 1 post • Page 1 of 1

NEW VT PLUS SERIES FX LOOP

by retrobob » 22 Nov 2010, 23:11

NEW VT PLUS SERIES FX LOOP

*REVISED 1-29-11 CORRECTION MADE AT CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTIONS

This is my original UNIVERSAL FX LOOP design modified to work with the new VT PLUS amps.

**BEWARE THIS WILL VOID YOUR AMP’S WARRANTY! USE AT YOUR

OWN RISK!**
The design removes the existing headphone jack completely and installs a new one after the loop, so what is in the loop goes out through the headphones/line
out. Plus it adds a speaker mute switch so you can use the headphone jack as a line out with the amp's speaker working for monitoring, yet still be able to
switch the speaker off for headphone use.

You’ll be adding 3 new jacks and a mini switch into the back panel of your amp.

*Read through the entire project to make sure you are capable of performing this modification before you start.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

You will need;

2’ of 22 gauge stranded wire in the following colors, red, blue, orange, brown, black.
4’ of 22 gauge stranded wire in green.
2 - 47? 1 watt resistors
1 - Neutrik NMJ6HC-S (or equivalent).
2 - Neutrik NMJ4HC-S (or equivalent).
1 - Ferrite bead FB43-287-RC (or equivalent)
1 - mini switch, single pole single throw (on/off).
1 - 5” square 20 gauge sheet metal
4 - 7/16” #6 screws
2 - solderless ring connectors / 22-18 x10st

And of course your tools and skills.

BEFORE YOU START, DISCONNECT THE POWER CORD (A/C power source) FROM YOUR AMP!

We will assume you have the proper supplies, tools, skills and know how to take your amp apart correctly. If you do not know how, search this forum for posts
that go over this:

1). Remove the panel from the amp and remove the amp chassis from the cabinet (mark any wires for their placement and connections that will need to be
disconnected).

2). Locate the area for the new jack plate at the rear amp panel Once the proper location is determined make a 3.875” hole (3 - 7/8” hole saw) for the new jack
plate and paint the of the panel edges black.

3). Carefully loosen the circuit board from the amp chassis (remove the board screws and all control nuts. Find the six (6) headphone jack connections on the
circuit board, these connections should look similar to picture. Carefully and completely remove the solder from all six of these connections (use a solder sucker
or de-soldering braid) and remove the headphone jack, leaving only the empty holes where the jack was solder into.

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4). Cut out the FACEPLATE DECAL and glue it to your sheet metal faceplate. Cut out the WiRING TEMPLATE and glue it to a heavy piece of cardboard

5). Using the WIRING TEMPLATE, cut out the holes where the jacks and switch are located, fasten the jacks and switch into the template with the terminals
facing the direction indicated by the arrow on the template at each location.

6). Starting at the RETURN jack install the GREEN wire to all the ground connections as indicated on the template, leaving the remaining GREEN wire long
coming off of the SEND jack (this end will wire to the circuit board later).

7). Install the BROWN jumper wire as indicated on the template between the SEND and RETURN jack’s N/C terminals.

8 ). Install the 2 - 47? resistors at the headphone jack as indicated on the template. Install the ORANGE wire to the HEADPHONE jack’s N/C terminal, then to the
RETURN jack’s C terminal as indicated on the template, leaving the remaining ORANGE wire long coming off of the RETURN jack (this end will wire to the circuit
board later).

9). Install RED wire to the SEND jack’s C terminal as indicated on the template, leaving the remaining RED wire long coming off of the SEND jack (this end will
wire to the circuit board later).

10). Install the BLUE wire to the MUTE switch’s upper terminal, leaving the remaining BLUE wire long coming off of the MUTE switch (this end will wire to the
circuit board later).

11). Neatly twist the RED, ORANGE, GREEN and BLUE wires together. Cut twisted wires to approximately 18” long.

12). Cut the FACEPLATE metal to its correct size and drill the holes for the jacks at 7/16”, the switch 1/4”, the mounting holes 3/16” and deburr the metal.

13). Remove the jacks and switch from the WIRING TEMPLATE and install them into the FACEPLATE metal from the back side, orientated the same as they were
on the template.

14). Install the FACEPLATE into the rear panel, centering it in the hole, secure it with the 7/16” long screws, remove the FACEPLATE and place a small bead of
clear latex silicone sealant at the edge of the hole and re-install the FACEPLATE, clean up excess sealant with a damp cloth.

15). Place the rear panel near the circuit board, install the wires as indicated in the circuit board picture corresponding to the wire colors, run the wire through
the top of the board soldering them on the bottom (where the original headphone jack was soldered).

16). Re-install the circuit board into the chassis, re-install the chassis into the amp box and re-connect the speaker wires (white is positive), place the chassis
ground wires back onto the speaker bolt but do not install the nut yet.

17). Remove one of the upper FACEPLATE screws from the rear panel, cut a piece of the remaining GREEN wire approximately 18” long, install the ring
connectors at both ends, attach one end of the wire to the FACEPLATE using the screw you just removed. Connect the other end of the GREEN wire to the
speaker mounting bolt that has the chassis grounds attached to it and install and tighten the nut.

18). Check all connections to be sure they are soldered and insulated properly, and that they are in their correct places. When you are sure all connections are
correct, put your rear panel back onto your amp, you’re done.

Plug your amp in and try it out!

Enjoy!

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VT+ LOOP WIRING TEMP.jpg (184.54 KiB) Viewed 915 times

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VT+ LOOP.jpg (827.64 KiB) Viewed 904 times

TROUBLE SHOOTING

(Q). The amp does not work?

(A). Flip the position of speaker mute switch (mini switch), if it still does not work check all of your connections for proper location (and shorts).

(Q). The amp does not work when the FX loop is used?
(A). You have confused one or more of the switching terminals on the send and return jacks, check and reverse the connections at jack terminals as need to
match the reference materials.
*Note; the levers in the jacks that contact to your cable plug when inserted must connect to the long red wire on the send jack and the long orange wire on the
return jack.

(Q). When I use the headphones the speaker still works?

(A). Flip the position of speaker mute switch (mini switch), if the speaker still works check all of your connections for proper location (and shorts).
*NOTE!
The WARRANTY comes first! Before any modification is considered, check to see how it effects the product's warranty and weigh the benefits accordingly!

THERE IS NO TECH SUPPORT OFFERED WITH DIY MODS! ALL MODIFICATIONS ARE USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

retrobob

Posts: 1128
Joined: 11 Jan 2009, 20:45
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