Phillips mic problem
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 11:34
Hi Fritz,
I have a mic that I use once in a while that have suddenly stopped working. No noise, no nothing. It happens right after I twisted the top off to look inside for an element model number. The mic was custom built from a Philips EL 6031/66. It has the original Philips element with a transformer added to boost it to either 25K or 50K and a 100K volume pot. What might I have done to cause the problem and what are some things I can try to revive it? All wires seem secure, but maybe it has something to do with the repositioning of the transformer when I put it back together. Thanks for whatever advice you have.
Hello Reverblow,
There are two distinct possibilities and both come under the heading of "CONTINUITY"...
ONE: A shorted circuit was introduced by your action of opening and then closing the microphone. It would be likely that contact has been made between a (+) component and a (-) component -likely the mic's casing, thus preventing signal from leaving the mic.
TWO: A connection was opened during this same procedure, once again resulting in the prevention of the element's signal from exiting the mic.
There is a third possibility -that the element itself has been damaged- but let's hope for the best...
I would suggest you lay off the coffee for a while and venture back inside the mic. Leave it hooked-up to an amp at low volume so any changes will be apparent. See if you can discern where the problem might be by gently moving the components around. If you can isolate the problem, try insulating any of these offending errant points of contact.
No medical license is necessary. Have fun in there!