2. amps-preamps
  3. 169131-18176

Cary V-12 blowing capacitors

Hi,

I have a pair of Cary V12 monoblocks one of which is blowing capacitors. It was initially sent in to cary as it was the 3 Amp fuses. They initially replace the capacitors and sent it back. It worked briefly and then started blowing fuses again. It went back to Carrie and this time they replaced both transformers. It did work for a couple of weeks but yesterday when I turn it on and was in the standby mode I heard a crackling noise from inside the amp and 3 amp fuse blew again. There was a large puddle of oil in the back of the amp which is from the capacitor. So it seems like something is still not repaired correctly which is causing the capacitors to blow which maybe is why the fuses are blowing. With it being to cary twice and they are not really sure what's happening has anyone else had this issue?
whataboutbob1
whataboutbob1 OP
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https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/lsTJNnoKUpBQ
whataboutbob1 OP
34 posts
 
https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/harZeWotBE8J
whataboutbob1 OP
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https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/9hkLk2oJpN82
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,630 posts
 
It looks like a filter capacitor failed (the one with the screw terminals). If this was replaced earlier, I would expect that it is covered by warranty. If it was not replaced earlier, one would question why they replaced some coupling caps and not the filter cap, after 20 years it would be suspect. A failing filter capacitor can damage the power transformer feeding it. This is well-known; if the power transformers were replaced then the filter cap would have automatically been considered suspect.


It looks like that is the only damage, other than cleaning up the mess.

Send the amp back to Cary and have them fix it under warranty. I expect they honor their work; give them that chance.
whataboutbob1 OP
34 posts
 
Here is what Cary Audio Had to say today:


"I pulled the Q/C sheets and got with Kellen to go over all the test points. Every test point on the sheet is perfect. We held on to the unit an extra week to make sure everything was in perfect working order. I asked him why he thinks the black UCC would explode and he said the only way for them to explode is if they were wired with reverse polarity. We didn’t need to touch the UCC’s and the voltages at the UCC were well in spec."

 

"Its pure speculation, but adding the new components could have stressed out the older UCC’s. I don’t know for sure, but it’s quite possible. The original power transformer that was in it had a direct short and could have caused the UCC’s to stress."



Does that sounds like a reasonable explanation? 


Also I have been unable to find Dennis Had to ask him. I have been told he is now retired. 




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