[AMPS] General amp questions

[Rich Saik]

OM:

I came across your web page while searching the net.  I wanted to ask 
you a couple of questions about an amplifier I've recently acquired 
from an estate.  The amp is a Heath SB-1000, but was kept in a rather 
humid basement for a fair period of time.  When I applied power for the 
first time, it immediately popped the fuses.  So, I have been 
carefully taking it apart, cleaning it, checking components and their 
general availability. 

I have come to understand that the Ameritron AL80A was essentially 
identical to this machine, so I contacted their customer service 
group.  I originally suspected a bad transformer, but they pointed 
out that the symtoms I experienced may well be due to a bad tube.  
There was a web page issued on the successor to the AL80A, the AL80B, 
and it did discuss this issue.  I was advised to apply power without 
the tube (3-500Z) plugged in and see if it still takes out the fuses.
I haven't done that yet, but probably will very soon.
 
 I was reading in your web page of the "getter" technique.  That 
sounds like a reasonable approach, but I was wondering if you can 
speak for that approach yourself.  Also, do you have any idea how 
long one would have to apply filament voltage in order to drive off 
the gassing problem?  Are we talking about a matter of minutes or a 
couple of hours, or what?

I did take the time to ohm across the transformer, but I didn't see 
anything earth-shattering (direct shorts, etc.). 
Of course, that does not say what would 
happen at high voltage conditions.  I thought about disconnecting the 
transformer outputs, insulating them well and applying power.  Then, 
if fuses weren't blown, I could reconnect each output separately and 
then see what happened.  That seems to be a compatible approach with 
the one described in the web page.  

When I talked with Ameritron, they stated that a new transformer 
could be ordered for about $115 and, a new tube is in the 
neighborhood of $180.  However,  I'm trying to verify each of the 
components before I dump money into this beast.  Any other 
suggestions or ideas?

Thanks, OM.

de WB9UCA.



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