Poor Man's Leslie Help, please.

[HeyItsBen!]

So I've managed to cull 4 Leslie units from various organ donors over the years and I'm finally getting around to trying to build something with them. This first prototype will be pretty rough, I expect. I was super-encouraged to get started on this after reading Steve's excellent write-up http://sluckeyamps.com/leslie/leslie.htm
But wiring the footswitch gets over my head a little. Can I use my stash of junk-drawer parts in here? 1N4007's for the diodes, X2 film caps, 120v lamp? I did buy the decent switches from Doug, and it's all getting stuffed into a Twin enclosure, but how in the world does this get wired up? If anyone has any gutshots of this switch, or one like it, I would greatly appreciate seeing them.

[sluckey]

I don't actually have the caps across the switch contacts in mine, but if I ever expected to take it to a venue I would put them in to help suppress switch pops. I really don't have any noticeable pop in my shop. Use good quality switches because you will be switching 120VAC to little motors.

The 120V lamp assembly must be a neon with limiting resistor built in. 1N4007s are fine. 1/2 watt resistor. The .22µF can be a regular coupling cap. Switch caps should be class X or Y.

I used a heavy duty cast iron switch box just for ruggedness. And I connected two 8 foot 16 gauge power cords to the box. Leave the AC plug on the cord that plugs into the wall, cut it off on the cord that goes to the Leslie cab. And use some tape or heatshrink to mark the green wire as a hot wire. Don't use white color!  Here are a couple more pics that should make it easy to build.

[HeyItsBen!]

Thank you so much Sluckey! 
-Ben

[TIMBO]

Hey mate, Heres a couple I have done.
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=17572.0
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=17277.0

[HeyItsBen!]

Thanks, Timbo! I came across your posts when I first started looking into the DIY Leslie.
Great read; awesome cabinetry, enviable Tolex skills!
I'm just going to switch the AC a la Sluckey's project until I know a little more about relays and such. I did save a little space in the cab in case I ever want to slip an amp in there, but for now it's going to serve as an external cab.
Can anyone tell me, referring to the schematic above, if there is the tiniest, infinitesimal chance that the .1uF caps on the SPEED switch would have their common termination on the center lug of the switch, not the lug that goes to the FAST motor as shown? I've been googling for pop-suppressor circuit without much joy, and if it is correct as drawn (by one knows orders of magnitude more than me),I can't really figure how to wire that cap...


Thanks for any insight anyone can offer. I've got a lot to learn; one thing I do know is that I'm at one the very best places on the www to gain such an education. Seriously. These. Forums. Rock.


-Ben

[sluckey]

Good eye! that's an error. Here's the fix. I'll fix it on my website also.

[sluckey]

Hey, we would enjoy some pics when you're done.

[Willabe]

Yes, please!   

[HeyItsBen!]

I'll be happy to. Y'all could probably use a good laugh.
I actually tried to attach a picture of the cab and switch but it was size-rejected.
Under this post, or in another forum?


-Ben

[Willabe]

Look in this link for info on re sizing pics;

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=2.0

[sluckey]

Any progress?

[HeyItsBen!]

Any progress?

Hahaha, I'm having so much fun playing the darn thing that I'm reluctant to tear it apart for Version 1.1!
I need to go yank it out of my playing-buddy's basement and get back to work on it.
Pictures will come soon as I put down my axe...


-Ben

[sluckey]

I know that feeling! I trhink it's more intense than the feeling I get when v1.1 is finished.   

[HeyItsBen!]

I finally finished up Ver. 1.1 a day or so ago, and took some pictures to document the mess I made.
While I did get the pop suppressor film caps wired, I ended up scrapping the blinking light schematic that Sluckey provided in favor of a simple second neon lamp to indicate drum speed. I just wasn't comfortable with such a fast-blinking light and couldn't find a RC combination that would slow the flashing to a speed that didn't make me so jittery. The center button is a dummy switch, wired to nothing. It fills a hole in the original enclosure, and it's there as a joke on my playing buddies who keep telling me that all this Leslie needs is a medium speed. 'Middle buttton', I say. Hahaha!

The Leslie unit came from one of the many organs I've found on free Craigslist ads. The speaker I bought on sale from Mojo some years ago. Some scavenged extension cord serves wiring duties.



The no-budget cabinet is leftover multi-ply knocked together with cleats and screws. I like to think of it as 'flaw-abundant'. Oh well, it will have to do until a real one comes along. I did save room to possibly slide an amp in the bottom some day.


Edit: Still obviously having problems posting pictures from this iPad (.jpegs, not .jpgs, REALLY?). I'll work on it.

[Willabe]

I finally finished up Ver. 1.1 a day or so ago, and took some pictures to document the mess I made.

Pictures???????