Help diagnose CY-8 edge trigger issue

[billgtx]

Hi all. So I have a CY-8 that is having trigger issues. A little embarrassed, but I went to clean all of my cymbals with the 303 Aerospace Protectant. Cymbals were working fine. Took them off and into the garage. Sprayed (oops) the top of each cymbal instead of spraying a rag and wiping them down. When I wiped them down and put them back on the kit, the CY-8 (and my CY-5) no longer had edge triggering. Guess the spray got into something it wasn't supposed to.

Anyway - the bow works fine. The edge does not work at all. I've taken the electronics cover off and looked around. Don't see anything unusual to the untrained eye. I tried to take the rubber off to get a peek at the edge switch, but I couldn't get the rubber off. I eventually pulled the rubber up from the top center of the cymbal and got it folder over the bottom side. Cleaned out all of the little pieces of rubber. Wiped things down and folded the rubber back over to the top of the cymbal. Still nothing on the edge. No edge sound is made and choking doesn't work.

I have a multimeter so is there anything I can do to figure out where the problem lies? I've talked to a local Roland repair facility and they want almost $100 to diagnose the problem. Well, that's right at a new cymbal. I figured they were bricked anyway, so I ordered 2 new PCY135s. But I would like to try to get this back going if I can.

Thanks for any help.

[BarT]

Same cables? Stereo? Make sure they're pushed all the way in.

It seems very unlikely to me that both edges would stop working at the same time.

Bruce

[billgtx]

Hi Bruce. Yes. I've even tried both modules - 2Box and TD9. All my cables are TRS. Swapped my CY8 & CY12R just to double check. It's definitely in the 2 cymbals.

Bill

[BarT]

Try drying out the inside of the jack sockets then?

Bruce

[JmanWord]

Did you attempt to use both the CY-5 and CY-8 on the 2Box HH input after cleaning them, and noticed the problem with the edge then? The reason I ask is the 2Box module does send a small amount of voltage (approx. 5V) to the ring of the jack. The hall sensor requires power. But 5V is such a small amount, and I can't see that as enough to fry a switch or connection. I guess there is a slight chance that the 303 Protectant might have gotten in the jack and coated the contacts ..... so if drying it out and repeatedly pushing the plugs in and out to attempt to create contact doesn't work ...... You might try an electrical contact spray in the jacks.... something like this or similar:
http://www.polywater.com/typefd.html I have used those type of contact cleaners in my mixing board jacks over the years. Whenever I start to have plug contact problems I spray the jacks again and it has kept me running for years now.

[billgtx]

I first noticed the issue with the CY5 in the HH position. Then when the CY8 exhibited the same behavior I tried the CY5 as a crash. Since then I have only tested in the crash position. I'll take a look at the contact cleaner. Thanks.

[billgtx]

Oh. I currently have my other (working) CY8 connected as a HH and it is working fine there.

[LoKey]

Interested in what you find as I am experiencing the same thing minus the Aerospace 303. I started noticing the edges cutting out lately as well but very randomly.

[billgtx]

Well, tried some contact cleaner I got from Ace Hardware. No change. So I took my multimeter out and tried to trace connections. As best I can tell the electronic connections look ok except for the 4 solder joints where the edge switch connects. I just don't know what I'm supposed to see.

Anyway I think I'm approaching the limit of my ability so I've posted a WTB ad for a replacement CY-5.

If it's ok to vent - I am so frustrated at how easily the electronics were disabled I'm seriously contemplating selling all my e-gear and going back acoustic.

[hairmetal-81]

Don't sell anything just yet!


As you may not be aware of, the lower-end CYs, and the CY-8 in particular have somewhat of a history in failing on people. They are simply not in the same league as the venerable CY-14, or the 'kings of quiet', Yamaha's PCY 135 and 155.

If you search around the vdrums-archives, you'll find quite a few 'flattering' comments about the CY-8's...!

[billgtx]

Thanks HM. It's just the frustration talking. So I have my other CY-8 setup as my HH but the rubber is way to thick. Is there another dual zone pad you would recommend for the HH that has better feel?

[hairmetal-81]

Other than the VH-11 there's nothing except a CY-12H that comes to mind...