Added: 2-4-2004 22:05:40

Today the Chef's PCBs have arrived. Now it's just the order from Conrad and I can get started.

and..

Front PCB

Back...

Added: 9-4-2004 18:02:54

Today another box with parts arrived; this time it's from Conrad. Resistors, pots and capacitors and lots more,too much to write it all down. An impression.

Resistors

My collection of capacitors

From left to right: 7815, 7915, 78L12, 79L12 and the bridge rectifier

Fused IEC holder

Two potentiometers and two Lorlin rotary switches

IC holders

I checked the order and three values of resistors are missing. Conrad also got me two bags of the same value accidentily. I contacted Conrad and they promised to pick up the second bag next week. A bit more waiting ahead.

Added: 10-4-2004 18:23:18

I started the soldering job, although I don't have all the parts yet.

A PCB holder is useful, but not really neccesary.

I'm starting with the IC holders and jumpers. After that I'll do the resistors.

Before I'll solder the resistors into place, I check the values with a multimeter. I can advise you to do this also, because this is how I found out that the label on one of the bags actually didn't match the real values of the resistors in the bag. Another bag of resistors to send back to Conrad. Seems I'll buy someplace else next time...

IC holders, jumpers and resistors are soldered into place.

Converting a 2 x 6 rotary switch into a 2 x 5 rotary switch...

The Lorlins on the pcb ...

The two large capacitors where too big and had to be bent. Almost everything is in place, except for the resistors that haven't been delivered yet. I found out later that there exist smaller capacitors which do fit. Keep attention when ordering the capacitors.

I will put the opamps and VCAs in the holders when the voltage values are correct (+15/-15 en +12/-12). Next week, when I receive and put in the missing resistors, I can measure this.

Added: 12-4-2004 19:41:21

As I stated before, I want the clone to look just like the original...well almost. The clone does not have a side chain, nor autofade. This means two buttons less. I started knocking together some things.
The rotary switches are aligned with a five centimeter space between them.

Added: 13-4-2004 0:29:05

I didn't feel like waiting for some resistors more than a week, so I bought them at a local store: Stuut & Bruin.

The transformer is now also in place. Those aluminum plates are there to cool the voltage regulators.

The voltages of +15v, -15v, +12v en -12v are almost there (+/-14,66v). It's a tiny deviation and I will find out soon enough if it will work. Now it's a question of putting in all the VCAs and ICs and the real job begins... Exciting :-)

Added: 14-4-2004 0:44:28

I want the bypass button to be controlled by a relay. The bulb and relay have their own power supply; special thanks to Frank Röllen. Check his site http://www.nrgrecording.de/diy.html for some nice SSL clones and more.