Interesting discovery for older amps

dee1949
dee1949 Posts: 1,425
edited August 2010 in The Clubhouse
....recently my B&K amp was losing one channel, sometimes just for seconds while playing. Found by playing with the fuse cap it would come back to life. I used tin foil inside cap to make a tighter contact. That seemed to work, but I didn't like the idea of tin foil. A friend who has a stash of fuse caps gave me a new pair. Not only did it fix the problem, but it seems it added about 20% more power to the speakers. Does that make sense?? The new caps have springs inside to make better contact.

...Before, I would need 1/2 volume with TT to play reasonably loud....Now 1/3 does the job. On cd at 1/3 volume ....my neighbors call!!! Check your fuse caps to make sure they are making proper contact.

Learn something NEW everyday!!!
Post edited by dee1949 on
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Comments

  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited August 2010
    And I thought fuses didn't do much.

    Thanks. ;)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2010
    You gotta get the platinum plated ones for the best effect.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited August 2010
    Oh man, this is gonna get good!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2010
    I'm not denying the effect of new fuses. Chances are, his old fuses had gotten weak from the years of current passed through them. Remember, they are just tiny strips of metal (kind of makes you think about your big fat power cords, doesn't it). I've seen fuses test "good" with a voltage test, yet still show higher resistance. With higher loads than idle, this can make a big difference.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited August 2010
    hmmm, thanks for the tip Dee
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,474
    edited August 2010
    nadams wrote: »
    I'm not denying the effect of new fuses. Chances are, his old fuses had gotten weak from the years of current passed through them. Remember, they are just tiny strips of metal (kind of makes you think about your big fat power cords, doesn't it). I've seen fuses test "good" with a voltage test, yet still show higher resistance. With higher loads than idle, this can make a big difference.

    Bingo!

    I'll add that both the fuse ends and the holder ends should be cleaned every once in awhile to remove oxidation.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited August 2010
    tony millard wrote: »
    And I thought fuses didn't do much.

    Thanks. ;)
    Depends where they are located in the circuit (symptoms will vary)... From what the OP is saying they are direct fuses for each channels. Since the newer cap made more spring pressure it achieved better connections and has F1nut mentions fuses ends can also oxidize and therefore make poor connections thus a lost in power.However, usually happens to VERY but VERY old amps which never had any preventive maintenance done. I would check for more potential oxidation areas, solder cold joints and potentially leaking caps.

    F1nut wrote: »
    Bingo!

    I'll add that both the fuse ends and the holder ends should be cleaned every once in awhile to remove oxidation.
    +1
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    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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