I replaced all the tubes and my amp is still sputtering so next I’m off to a tech to replace those caps and hope that’s the issue.
Leaky capacitors need replacement?
Showing 19 responses by shawn3997
I don't know if I can fit those fancy caps in the same spot -- they are rather large! I probably need to get something the same size so I can run the leads where they need to go (my amp is point-to-point wired). Aren't electrolytics generally frowned upon for audio use because they leak and have issues with heat? My understanding is that they are only used because they are physically small for the farads/volts compared to other types. Is this right? |
Yeah, you're probably right.... I'll check around locally. I'm not sure anyone actually does gadget repair here anymore that isn't just iPhone battery replacement. If not I'll have to ship it off and listen to my old stereo again for a while. Blech. Anyone want to put out a shout for a great tech just in case I have to ship? |
Ok, thanks, will do! I have a bunch of soldering questions but I will do a lot of research online before I try it out on the amp. If anyone wants to help out: 1. What can I use for extra hands? I would say that is 1/2 of all of my soldering problems -- not being able to hold everything together so it doesn't move when I apply the solder and all the used-to-be soldered stuff is now free to move around. 2. What can I use as heatsinks to keep the heat to the area where I am soldering and not running out to other solder joints through the wires? 3. Is regular boring old solder from a plastic tube good enough or should I go all fancy silver solder? I guess that's really all the issues. :D |
OK, here's a bunch of pictures: Imgur: The magic of the Internet I have amp #1249, if that means anything regarding how old it is. The caps needing replacement are around 15-20mm wide and 40-45mm or so long and are axial and connected as show in the pictures (picture #2, at the bottom right, the two grey ones). It looks like one side of each capacitor runs to the ground from the AC plug and then goes through the cap and a resistor to what I imagine is the transformer. The two capacitors are connected together at ground and the two resistors are connected together at the transformer but they don't connect at the tabbed thingy in the middle, which is just a separator. Can I shove some small radials in there? Probably. I have some vertical height to work with but will the leads be long enough to reach where they need to go? I'm not sure. That's my concern with radials. I could also just use a couple of axials of approximately the same size. I found two on Mouser: 336TTA350M Cornell Dubilier - CDE | Mouser PEG124UH2330QL1 KEMET | Mouser Here's detailed specs for the KEMET since no ripple current is listed: PEG124UH2330QL1 (kemet.com) It looks like either will fit fine. Should I order some of these and take them and the amp to a local tech for replacement or are the radials mentioned preferred? |