Help with expression pedal and Timefactor

[Calaban]

I have been wondering this for a while, and I can't figure out what's wrong.

I have two expression pedals that I use with my Timefactor and my Mobius.

When they're new they work perfectly. But over time they ALL start to
get funky in the way they respond. Especially with my Timefactor.

At first, the action is smooth and predictable. I use them mostly for
setting the number of repeats and the mix of the delay, or for setting
the speed of Mobius effects such as the phaser and tremolo. I can adjust
things very easily and the taper is smooth. Moving a degree or two is
not a problem.

But over time they start to malfunction. When I move the pedal forward
it jumps from 20 to 64 and then back to 47 for example. I can't smoothly
adjust the parameters anymore, and it takes me a few tries to get it to
where I want.

What is going on here?

I notice it mostly with my Timefactor. I'm not sure if it does it with the
Mobius as much or at all. It doesn't seem to since I haven't noticed it.

So it could be an issue with the Timefactor, which would make sense
since it has happened with both types of expression pedal I have used –
and Ernie Ball Jr 25K, and a Roland EV5.

Has anyone experience this problem? Why would they work perfectly at
first and then start to behave erratically? What's the solution?

Thanks!

[nickrose]

It sounds like you have bad pots, all though it is unlikely that this happens simultaneously on multiple pedals.  But, the fact that it does not happen when the pedal is new kind of suggests this.

I would get a friend with an ohmmeter to check the pedals out.

[Calaban]

Thanks Nick….I will check that out for sure.

Someone on another forum suggested that the problem could be dirty pots, since I have had this problem with every expression pedal I have ever owned. I would seem strange for the pots on every unit to be bad, right? I'm no expert and I'm not the most technically minded guy so I'm curious what your thoughts are.

Thanks again.

[Author]

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