RT3000p Plate Amps Failure

dbKiller

I have a plate amp that doesn't work. Upon removal and inspection everything looks good. I did notice one of the fuses blown and haven't replaced and tried yet as I know these amps fail often. Has anyone had one of these amps fixed? Do you have any idea what fails? If so, where can I find replacement parts? The local shop wants at least $250 and I have a little electronics knowledge. If anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Phasewolf

Not sure but the caps are a known issue. I would start by replacing the caps and then start checking for shorts in the power supply.

jon s

Chances are you will not find a replacement amplifier... I had a couple of Polk subs and the amps died after five years.... Polk said the amps were no longer available and not repairable. To fix it, unless it is a simple observable issue on the amp board, the techs may need a schematic. I wish you luck as I ended up trashing my subs.

On a side note, I noticed that nearly all subwoofer brands have rather poor amplifiers... Velodyne, Polk, Definitive Technology, JL Audio. They all seem to have problems...

dbKiller

Yeah, I have noticed the same thing. I just didn't know if maybe a particular capacitor goes bad or something of the like. I figurered if the amp is already bad and could pinpoint problematic areas I could give it a shot and at most just lose a few dollars instead of a starting price of $250 at the repair shop.

WLDock

Polk repairs them for less. Also, there is an eBay seller that offers repair service for less. Search RT3000p. The caps and voltage regulators go bad. Here is the schematic: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?38755-POLK-AUDIO-Speaker-Wiring-Schematics-amp-More-ALL-MODELS-except-SDA

dbKiller

I really appreciate the heads up WLdock. I will definitely look into that later today.

Gatecrasher

Yeah after 15-20 years of use and abuse the RT3000p and CS1000p plate amps tend to fail.

They are definitely worth repairing though and usually not too expensive.

After that, they are usually good for another 20 years or so unless you abuse them.

WLDock

Yes, I have one working unit but the speaker level inputs are not working as well as the auto turn off. Then I have two more that are not working at all. I plan to pull them out soon on one cold winter weekend and figure them out. Both mine have extensive failures that gave me the fits the last time I worked on them. I'm a tech but not the most savvy bench guy around. Once I get them going I think it will be worth it as I bought my 3000's for cheap. Then once I add a 15" or 18" sub for the LFE and high pass the 3000's, my HT will take on a new life! I say fix them at least once....if they fail again...then consider an outboard amp.

dbKiller

They won't really get abused at all. They were defective when they were purchased. One sub had an amp not working and the other tower has 2 subs in need of repair, sound pretty bad once the cone gets going. They actually belong to a friend, picked up the entire RT5000 set in Rosewood for $500, all in good shape other than the sub gremlins.

WLDock

dbKiller wrote: »

They actually belong to a friend, picked up the entire RT5000 set in Rosewood for $500, all in good shape other than the sub gremlins.

Yeah, Velocitydreamer right? We have been in contact. I actually tried to buy the center channel from the CL seller that those came from. I would like to try it out but not wanting to spend $500-$600 for one.

dbKiller

That's correct, its his amp. Cosmetically they are in very good shape. Its a shame to see it standing there looking pretty but making no sound. I switched the 2 good subs into the tower with the working amp and they sound good.

WLDock

dbKiller wrote: »

That's correct, its his amp. Cosmetically they are in very good shape. Its a shame to see it standing there looking pretty but making no sound. I switched the 2 good subs into the tower with the working amp and they sound good.

Good thing he got a good deal as the cost to replace two subs and repair the amp might be as much as he paid. There is an eBay Australia dealer that has replacement subs a decent price...but no way to get those over here in the US cheap. Too bad as these subs are not going to last forever so...at some point guys will be trying different woofers in them as parts are few.

dbKiller

We have discussed getting some 8" 8 ohm car speakers and see how they do. One concern is the 3000 bottoms may not take the pressure. I think he wants to exhaust every last factory fix before going that route. The few people that have the subs wants unreal prices for them. I guess you can name the price if you cant find them anywhere else I guess.

WLDock

Hey, it sounds like you guys contacted the guy out west that has the single rosewood module for sale? Looks like he is ok with shipping it. I am thinking of getting it but not 100% sure I want to right now. I will let you know if I back out.

Walt

Gatecrasher

WLDock wrote: »

Good thing he got a good deal as the cost to replace two subs and repair the amp might be as much as he paid. There is an eBay Australia dealer that has replacement subs a decent price...but no way to get those over here in the US cheap. Too bad as these subs are not going to last forever so...at some point guys will be trying different woofers in them as parts are few.

That's why I have spares for all the RT5000 drivers and amps.

The only problem is now that I have an SRT system and have tested it, I may never look back. I have no spare drivers for the SRT subs though.

I might have to thin out my collection because I'm running out of room to store it all.

You can be certain though that I won't be giving RT5000 systems away for $500.

He definitely got a good deal regardless of their condition.

WLDock

Gatecrasher wrote: »

I might have to thin out my collection because I'm running out of room to store it all..

I understand not giving the stuff away but if you ever decide to offer the items for a nice price I might be interested. I sure would like to find a good deal on a center. I just can't pay $500-600 for one. At that price I will buy a new KEF Q600C and start changing out the Polk's to KEF's. If I don't build, that will be my next set of speakers.

dbKiller

I know he has reached out to a few people, not sure to who exactly. I will pass the word to him though in case if you don't get it. Thanks for the heads up!

cockney

Had my RT5000p set up in the UK since 2005 but I don,t like to tempt fate by saying it is still going strong. Anticipating one day the amps will need repair, are there any component kits with high grade caps etc available in the US?

WLDock

No kits. Here is the schematic.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?38755-POLK-AUDIO-Speaker-Wiring-Schematics-amp-More-ALL-MODELS-except-SDA

cockney

Thanks. There's a company about 10 miles from where I live called BK Electronics that make plate amps as well as subs. I might see if they have anything or can repair mine if I give them schematic.