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Author Topic: Amp died- help!  (Read 3289 times)

gorath23

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Amp died- help!
« on: May 20, 2007, 04:33:05 PM »
During Band Practise my Engl Thunder just stopped working mid-song. Everything died, all the lights went off and the sound cut out. I can't even get the power light to come on. I've tried everything but to no avail. I'm pretty sure the tubes were on the way out albeit the preamp ones, but the power amp seemed to have a lot of life left in them. Would a power tube failure stop the power button from coming on (it lights up normally)?? Suggestions on tubes would be great too. I was thinking JJ/Tesla 6L6GC's for the power and maybe Electro Harmonix 12ax7's in the pre. Any help would be appreciated! James

38thBeatle

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2007, 04:39:03 PM »
Stupid question, have you checked the mains fuse in the plug. Have you checked the fuses in the amp.If it just went off it sounds like it could be a fuse.
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noodleplugerine

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Re: Amp died- help!
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2007, 04:41:17 PM »
Quote from: gorath23
Would a power tube failure stop the power button from coming on (it lights up normally)??


errrr

check the fuses...
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gorath23

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2007, 04:44:10 PM »
Ahem- this is going to sound dumb but how do you tell if the fuses are dead? Plus I was using a circuit breaker so it shouldn't have affected the amp if there was a surge, right?

38thBeatle

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2007, 04:46:18 PM »
Fuses can just blow-there is an underlying reason usually admittedly but that could be the first port of call.If it keeps doing it then sure there is another reason possibly.
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Lord Blakers

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2007, 04:51:20 PM »
FYI - the internal fuse is located in a compartment just underneath the power socket on the amp. You will probably need a small screwdriver to remove it.

Some b*stard managed to spill beer inside my Fireball, it worked its way down the power valves onto the circuit board. One thorough clean and a new fuse later and it was working fine.

Engls are indestructable, it will just be the fuse.

For valve advice, try this forum:

http://www.lordriffenstein.com/phpbb/nfphpbb/index.php
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gorath23

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2007, 04:53:57 PM »
Dammit, It would happen on a Sunday when everywhere is shut. I need a 250V fuse, does that sound right? As you may have gathered I know nothing about electrics.....

EDIT: Thanks, yeah I already found the fuse compartment but they look ok, how do you tell? Its a little glass tube with tiny wire inside :? I also found that ENGL site but nobody posts, I had a question regarding tubes on there for over a week with no reply :roll:

38thBeatle

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2007, 05:07:31 PM »
Fuses are usually rated in watts rather than volts.The wire in the tube should be intact-if it has blown then it'll be broken.Check the fuse in the plug into the wall too. Is it a kettle lead and if so, do you have another you can try-that'll tell you if it is faulty. Yes, things always seem to go wrong when the shops are closed!
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hunter

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2007, 05:12:03 PM »
Agree with the others, fuse or power lead or sth seems most likely. The Thunder won't just die without any warning. Ehem, unless you used it without speaker plugged in which I hope you haven't ...

I had a Screamer, which is like a pimped up Thunder, very reliable amp to me ...
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38thBeatle

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2007, 07:08:59 PM »
Blimey was was I thinking! Fuses are of course rated in amps (current) and not watts-sorry, slip of the finger!
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Davey

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2007, 07:28:03 PM »
Quote from: 38thBeatle
Blimey was was I thinking! Fuses are of course rated in amps (current) and not watts-sorry, slip of the finger!

now go stand in the corner.



on the metal portion of the fuse it'll say it's rating 250V/'some number here' A
you could make an educated guess, depending on the thickness of the wire, but if you dont have experience in that, better not try.

if the fuse blows again, then something else is amiss. a common problem for this is a faulty power tube

Lord Blakers

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2007, 08:20:12 PM »
It'll be a 1 amp fuse. If you look closely, you'll probably see that the wire's broken.

It's always worth keeping some spares, especially if you're gigging. Infact there should be somewhere inside the fuse compartment to put a spare.
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gorath23

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Amp died- help!
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2007, 08:59:35 AM »
Quote from: Monkey
It'll be a 1 amp fuse. If you look closely, you'll probably see that the wire's broken.

It's always worth keeping some spares, especially if you're gigging. Infact there should be somewhere inside the fuse compartment to put a spare.


Thanks guys, it was a fuse after all, and I could have even changed it there and then as there was a spare in the compartment... :x Oh well live and learn!