[AMPS] General amp questions

[Ron Hooper]

I really dont think the tube could go bad setting in a damp basement.
However pulling the tube out and turning on the b+ is a good way to find
out. My guess is the HV Capacitor is bad or the diodes have blown, maybe
both. It is usually not a transformer in those cases. 
Ron W4WA

Rich Saik (by way of Brian K. Short KE7GH ) wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 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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