Tweet
Hey everybody, I'm back to pester you all for answers (again)! My Allen 2110 has crackling noises when I play. The most common thing to trigger the noise is a combination of 16' Bourdon on 16' Diapason. However, when I take these stops off, the organ still occasionally crackles. It sounds as if the sound of the organ is trying to come through and its pushing and pushing but it is not making past the speakers. When the crackling stops during while I am playing, I can hear the significant difference in sound quality. Any suggestions, comments?
-
"I play the notes as they are written (well, I try), but it is God who makes the music." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Organs I Play:
- Home: VPO Compiled from Allen 2110 parts
- Church: M.P. Moller 1951 (Relocated 2015) 3 manual, 56 stop, 38 ranks (Opus 8152) -
Philip,Originally posted by Philip Powell View Post
Your post was a bit difficult to understand, but I think I got the gist. That's a little-known feature of the Allen ADC 4-digit organs.O:-) If you believe that, I have land in Florida you may be interested in.
Seriously, it sounds to me like it could be anything in the audio chain, however, those two stops generally come out of separate channels (on larger organs). For that reason, I think it may have something to do with the amplifier pot(s), or speaker surrounds (less likely-unless they're foam vs. corrugated), or even one of the pots on the voicing cards (if your organ has them).
If you have someone who can play the organ and cause the "crackle" while you're in the back of the organ, you might be able to narrow it down to one of the above. In my case, when I don't have another person available, I take several hymnbooks and place them on a pedal that will cause the issue, and then run around back to diagnose the issue.
Hope this helps.
Michael
P.S. Also check to see if any of your mid-range speakers in the organ are cracked. If there are cracks or losses in the surround(s), that can also cause what you're describing.Way too many organs to list, but I do have 5 Allens:- MOS-2 Model 505-B / ADC-4300-DK / ADC-5400 / ADC-6000 (Symphony) / ADC-8000DKC
- Lowrey Heritage (DSO-1)
- 11 Pump Organs, 1 Pipe Organ & 7 Pianos
-
Thanks but I don't use the internal speakers of the organ (it doesn't have any actually). -
Sorry, I wasn't thinking you'd go around back to check the speakers-I was thinking of checking the amplifiers or pots. It's hard to play the organ in front while I'm checking the amps & cards in the back.
When it comes to checking the speakers, I sometimes use my keys or a screwdriver to hold a key or two down that crackle, and then I put a little pressure on the cone to see if that solves the issue. If the surrounds are cracked, don't put pressure on them, because your finger will probably go through. You can put just enough pressure to stabilize what you think is crackling, but that's probably the cause.
Michael
-
Definitely check the speakers. Cone break-up causes a crackling sound, and if the surrounds are not in good shape they can be a source of this problem.Comment
-
This sounds to me like the gain pot on channel one needs exercising. Many customers have described much the same sonic effect to me when it turned out to be a dirty pot. On the 2110 both the 16' pedal stops are in the same channel. They originate on the TG board in channel one, so check the pots on that channel first. Also check the volume pots on the amps. And clean up the RCA connectors. These are the prescribed "routine maintenance" procedures that are necessary to keep these older Allens going. I realize that you bought this one used and have no record of its maintenance, but you would benefit greatly from having it gone over by a tech who understands the need for these periodic procedures.
I have a feeling that nearly all the various troubles you are having with that organ would be taken care of by a routine maintenance call, if you can get someone to do it.John
----------
*** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birds...97551893588434Comment
-
This is my speaker (see photos). I actually have another beneath it but it doesn't crackle. Any suggestions as to what I can do?Attached Files"I play the notes as they are written (well, I try), but it is God who makes the music." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Organs I Play:
- Home: VPO Compiled from Allen 2110 parts
- Church: M.P. Moller 1951 (Relocated 2015) 3 manual, 56 stop, 38 ranks (Opus 8152)Comment
-
-
Philip,Originally posted by Philip Powell View Post
Good news! Your woofer is an accordion surround, so you will probably never need to re-surround that HC-14 speaker. Want some more good news? On *Bay right now, there is an auction for an Allen 8Ω (8 Ohm) mid-range speaker, which is a drop-in replacement for your cracked mid-range. If you want it, jump on it because they are in great demand. In fact, I made an offer for all 4 speakers he has available because they're a bit higher than I would pay ($50)-he declined.
Hope that helps.
MichaelWay too many organs to list, but I do have 5 Allens:- MOS-2 Model 505-B / ADC-4300-DK / ADC-5400 / ADC-6000 (Symphony) / ADC-8000DKC
- Lowrey Heritage (DSO-1)
- 11 Pump Organs, 1 Pipe Organ & 7 Pianos
Comment
-
And I don't have a soldering iron but would this be good equipment to buy for this job?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ktaxon-So...BoCWCsQAvD_BwE -
I found my soldering iron either at Radio Shack, or at one of the big box stores. It was before they disposed of lead-based solder, so I'm good there.
I'd get a Weller soldering gun. Others prefer other brands. Something like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weller-Elec...Kit/1000395569. Personally, I have the cheaper version in the plastic form-fit box. The biggest issue is that I have to continually re-tighten the lugs for the tip.
Michael -
Thank you so much! I'm actually starting to get somewhere on my organ fixing project! When I get back to school I'll be proud to say I learned to solder over the stay home order :)!
-
If you get a soldering gun, NEVER use it on a circuit board. It is far too powerful to avoid damaging the circuit board. They are OK for soldering wires and connecting speakers.Comment
-
I get it now! I recommended a soldering gun because this thread is about replacing a midrange speaker, and wiring it.Originally posted by toodles View Post
Philip has another thread about replacing the batteries on a board, and I understand why you're recommending a soldering pen for that. He started so many threads on the individual issues with his organ, it's quite easy to get the threads confused.
MichaelWay too many organs to list, but I do have 5 Allens:- MOS-2 Model 505-B / ADC-4300-DK / ADC-5400 / ADC-6000 (Symphony) / ADC-8000DKC
- Lowrey Heritage (DSO-1)
- 11 Pump Organs, 1 Pipe Organ & 7 Pianos
Comment
-
-
Philip, a couple of hints so we can all help you. Stick to one thread on this organ. Also please try to get some clearer, better lit pictures showing more of the innards. Perhaps use a couple of "posts" in the same threads to show them all. While I 'm enjoying the dialogue about this "patient" and we all learn more in the process, hopping around threads confuses (at least) me.
Now, about soldering. I worked at a college for 12 years as the campus "e-tech" maintaining Science apparatus and more. One of my jobs was helping students with building electronic projects. Usually the complaint was: " It doesn't work, but I followed the instructions" or worse "sometimes it works". Solder joints were usually the culprit. They treated solder like Glue. "you melt it to stick things together, right?" WRONG.
had to teach them that first you make a good physical joint like twisting wires together, or wrap on a pin, or position a pin in a hole, etc. Then you bring the solder to the joint and hold the iron tip against the solder first. If your tip is hot enough the solder will melt and form a bridge between the joint and the iron. What happens then is that the heat from iron transfers directly to the joint so the whole joint heats up. This is important because now the solder will flow over and through the entire joint, and it will show as a shiny and smooth surface. That's when you take the iron away and you have a good joint.
I found you can use a small pencil iron to do most jobs - just be sure it gets hot enough. You can tell that by how well the above process works. For some things you may want to use a bigger iron; practice will tell.
Sorry, if I bored any one with this "solder treatise", but in my past many found it useful!
JohnCan't play an note but love all things "organ" Responsible for 2/10 Wurli pipe organ, Allen 3160(wife's), Allen LL324, Allen GW319EX, ADC4600, many others. E-organ shop to fund free organ lessons for kids.Comment
-
Michael, That's right LOL, so I better pass on what I know, before....:devil: the devil gets meCan't play an note but love all things "organ" Responsible for 2/10 Wurli pipe organ, Allen 3160(wife's), Allen LL324, Allen GW319EX, ADC4600, many others. E-organ shop to fund free organ lessons for kids.Comment
-
Some time ago, I decided to spend the money on a good soldering station with variable temperature & power. It's served me well. Some of the pencil soldering irons are under powered for medium gauge wires (like 12 to 16 gauge, as used for speakers); 35 watts is usually sufficient, but a very low power iron won't handle the speaker wires as the terminal pull a lot of heat out of the joint.Comment
-
I am NOW ready to buy a midrange speaker and I found two on the internet. myorgan, "disapproved" of the first because it doesn't have how many ohms it is and a "plethora" of other issues may occur. I am going to go with the spendy one (#2) to ensure my satisfaction. Let me know if the first might work.
1. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-PIONEER-C...5e8a%7Ciid%3A1
2. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Peerless-Sp...5e8a%7Ciid%3A1"I play the notes as they are written (well, I try), but it is God who makes the music." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Organs I Play:
- Home: VPO Compiled from Allen 2110 parts
- Church: M.P. Moller 1951 (Relocated 2015) 3 manual, 56 stop, 38 ranks (Opus 8152)Comment
-
The speaker systems you have require an 8 ohm midrange. This is the exact replacement: https://www.--------/itm/Peerless-Sp...0AAOSwJEFedNQD
Your no. 2 is the wrong impedance, and the midrange will be too loud; it will also mess up the crossover frequency.Comment
-
Philip,
You posted that you're going to purchase what I recommended. What I recommended in the private message was 4Ω if you have HC-12 speakers, or 8Ω if you have HC-14 or HC-15 speakers. I also recommended you post your question in the open Forum so all may benefit from the discussion.
Your #2 option says in the TITLE of the listing that it is 4Ω. Toodles provided the link to the correct 8Ω speaker to purchase on *Bay. Please make sure you read and understand the advice given before committing to a purchase.
Michael
P.S. I actually thought you had already made the purchase because 1 of the 2 available disappeared within 24 hours of my recommendation. -
Michael, thanks for the advice. I am sorry about the confusion with links and such.
-
I based my answer on the photos in post number 5. In any case, I recommend the 8 ohm speaker; it can be used in the HC-12 as well as the HC-14/15. If used in the HC-12, just leave one of the damaged speakers in place (just to fill the hole), but disconnect it; wire the 8 ohm speaker where the 2-4Ohm speakers were wired in series.
There is no sense in using two 4-Ohm speakers in series when the 8-Ohm unit is available, since you're spending twice as much money for the 2-8Ohm speakers and getting the same performance.Comment
Comment