Hilton Volume Pedal Settings

Jim Saunders · Post by **Jim Saunders** » 7 May 2005 6:19 am

I would like for my Hilton pedal to stay at the leval it's at when I lift my foot, however, it has a spring that returns it to zero, like an accelerator pedal in a car.
Is there a setting for this?

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Mullen, Royal Precision, D10, Gibson Console Grande D8, Peavey Nashville 112, Peavey Nashville 400.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 7 May 2005 6:46 am

Check the two allen head screws that hold the top on. If they are loose it will tend to move back to the off position on it's own.

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 7 May 2005 7:41 am

I had the same problem with mine, I have sent it to Keith Hilton for repair. The side screws don't have anything to do with it.

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Sierra S8, Gibson GA30RVT, Peavey Delta Blues, Regal Dobro heavily modified, Teese RMC2 Wah, Proco Rat, pyrex and bakelite bars

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 7 May 2005 8:51 am

Sorry, Keith but they do. I have a Hilton Pedal. And, I "fixed" several other local Steeler's Hilton's by tightening the allen screws.

Ask Herby Wallace, that is where I got the "fix" from. We were on a steel show together and I asked him about it (Herby uses and sells the Hilton) as he told me they have to be periodically tightened. Before I had tightened them, Keith Hilton told me to check the internal piece and make sure it wasn't binding it wasn't. The tightening of the allen screws fixed it.

Before I get flamed, I don't think it's a big deal. Just something that has to be checked periodically like a lot of other mechanical things on equipment. The pedal is a great pedal.

Jim Saunders · Post by **Jim Saunders** » 8 May 2005 6:13 am

Thanks Jack and Keith. I did tighten the hinge screws and it worked for me. The screws were already fairly tight, but with a little more push, they tightened enough. Keith, I can see where you might not have wanted to tighten them more for fear of breaking or striping them.
I'm sure this will have to be done periodically as a maintenence issue.

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Mullen, Royal Precision, D10, Gibson Console Grande D8, Peavey Nashville 112, Peavey Nashville 400.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 May 2005 3:49 pm

One "fix" is to use some Locktite on the screw threads. Just, don't use the permanent type, use the "removeable" type. It kept the screws in my Hilton from loosening.

And you're right, they need to be "tight".

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 May 2005 5:14 pm

Hmm, it was always my understanding that the tension adjuster was inside the pedal! The piece of green plastic with the spring has a single locknut with a belleville (compression) washer. I would think that's where you're supposed to make the "tightness" adjustments?

Jump in here Keith, and give us the scoop!

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 8 May 2005 8:11 pm

I had the same understanding as Donny.

I went inside to adjust the tightness as Keith said do, in an earlier post .

John

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 9 May 2005 2:16 am

I went through several long e-mails with Keith about mine loosening. I tried the internal adjustments and they made no difference. The only thing that worked was the tightening of the two allen screws.

Keith was the one that suggested the Locktite to me.

The first pedal I had developed an electronics problem and Keith, without question, replaced the pedal with a new one. This new one has a modified screw mounting for the top and the allen head screws don't seem to loosen like the older mounting did.

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 11 May 2005 7:17 am

Thanks to everyone for using my pedal. Donny has it correct, the hinge bolts have nothing to do with the clutch, which holds the pedal in place when your foot is taken off the pedal. Out of thousands of pedals we have had almost zero problems with the hinge bolts, or the clutch system. The only problems with the clutch system has been a few of the aircraft lock nuts holding the nylon plastic piece being too tight. When the nut is too tight, the spring will not pull back and the pedal will drop forward, "not", backward to the off position. We have never seen a pedal that would spring back to the off position and shut the pedal off, like the gas pedal on a car. We have heard people say this, and have asked these people to send their pedal to us for free repairs. To this day I don't remember ever getting one of these pedals in for repair, that supposedly springs back and shuts off like the gas pedal on a car. The factory spring inside the pedal is not strong enough pull the pedal back and shut it off. If the factory spring has been replaced or altered, it might be possible, but it is not possible with the factory spring. At least we have never seen one that could do this. There are only two moving parts inside the pedal, and these two parts make up the clutch that holds the pedal in place when you remove your foot. You can't get much more simple than two moving parts! Excessive grease on the nylon plastic piece, and where it runs, should be cleaned off, and a very,very thin coat of thick grease applied. The hinge bolts are a totally separate issue. They hold the oil impregnated brass bushings. 2 or 3 years ago we got some over sized brass bushings in from the manufacturer. These over sized brass bushings would bind and cause the hinge bolts to losen over time. We solved this problem of oversized brass bushings by using a reemer that aligns both holes and oversizes them for differences in the individual brass bushings. I have not heard of any hinge bolt problems in 2 or 3 years, after we started reeming the holes. I am always here to solve any problems anyone has with our pedals, wheather they be new or used. Feel free to call me even at my home number: 417-581-4158. Or, you can call the shop number which is listed on my web site at www.hiltonelectronics.com [This message was edited by Keith Hilton on 11 May 2005 at 08:21 AM.]

Jim Saunders · Post by **Jim Saunders** » 11 May 2005 11:26 am

Keith, I'll send mine back and be first. Mine was bought new through Bobbe Seymour and it has never been tampered with. I will send it back and let you diagnose the problem. I'll use my Goodrich backup pedal meanwhile.

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Mullen, Royal Precision, D10, Gibson Console Grande D8, Peavey Nashville 112, Peavey Nashville 400.

Jim Saunders · Post by **Jim Saunders** » 11 May 2005 4:08 pm

Keith, I just rechecked my pedal. With the hinge screws loosened, the pedal does pop back to the off position. With the screws snugged up, the pedal holds it's position. I intended to send it to you for repair, but, since it's now doing what I want, why send it back.

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Mullen, Royal Precision, D10, Gibson Console Grande D8, Peavey Nashville 112, Peavey Nashville 400.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 11 May 2005 4:33 pm

Keith,
My pedal does the same thing. Always drops back to the off position, just like the gas pedal in a car. Bought mine just before xmas.
tightend the screws like in some of the above posts and it also "stays put"...Will this hurt the pedal?

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 11 May 2005 6:48 pm

I got an e-mail from Jack Stoner and he tells me the same thing. So, I stand corrected. Bottom line is; I am here to help you if there is something that doesn't work correctly. If you can't get me on the shop phone call me at home if you have a problem. Here is my un-listed home phone. 417-581-4158. Again, thanks to everyone using my product. I feel honored that each and every one of you are using my pedal. Trust me when I say, "If you every have a problem, I will help you." Thanks Keith Hilton