filter cap question

michael123 · February 14th, 2004, 12:15 AM

ok, i have figured out how to take the filter caps out with out killing myself. the question that i have is about a voltiak (sp?) i thought that i could just re-solder the caps back into place and fire up the tubes. i guess i have to recharge the caps with this voltiak thing. where do i get one, how much do they cost and can a novice like me recharge them correctly?

jjmantele · February 14th, 2004, 12:33 AM

A variac would allow you to gradually bring up the voltage going into the power cord (not power chord 8) ) This is a good thing but probably not necessary here. Unless the caps have been laying around for several years, they are still "formed." A tech would use the variac since he has one and it is "safer" but if you don't have one and the caps are "new" don't worry about it.

Do worry about killing yourself or at least being exposed to great pain and possible injury from either the 120/230vac input, the ~660VAC power supply taps and the 250-700VDC inside guitar amplifiers. The filter caps have the 250-700VDC. Often even when the cord is not plugged in. Keep one hand in a back pocket when taking readings. That may help keep your heart from being killed if you zap yourself.

michael123 · February 15th, 2004, 11:22 AM

so, you are saying, if i put brand new atomic caps in i do not have to recharge them and it will not affect the amp or tone adversley, i can just 1 discharge old caps 2 remove, 3 solder in new caps 4 plug in and play?

tlpruitt · February 16th, 2004, 10:44 AM

If this is the first time you are do a cap job then check the old caps while they are in the amp and make a little diagram to show how the + and - are oriented on each cap. Make sure you put the new ones in with the same + and - orientation as the old ones.

If you put any of the new ones in facing the wrong direction you will be sorry.

JDO · February 16th, 2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael123

so, you are saying, if i put brand new atomic caps in i do not have to recharge them and it will not affect the amp or tone adversley, i can just 1 discharge old caps 2 remove, 3 solder in new caps 4 plug in and play?

along with what tlpruitt said, your 4 steps are correct. some guys will tell you you need to bring up the voltge slowly for best tone but most everyone will tell you that's a bunch of bunk. i'm pretty sure fender, marshall and everyone else out there just turns the amp on to see if it works and then ships it to the public. i've never used a variac and i've never had problems with bad tone.

February 14th, 2004, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
michael123 Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 267	filter cap question ok, i have figured out how to take the filter caps out with out killing myself. the question that i have is about a voltiak (sp?) i thought that i could just re-solder the caps back into place and fire up the tubes. i guess i have to recharge the caps with this voltiak thing. where do i get one, how much do they cost and can a novice like me recharge them correctly?

February 14th, 2004, 12:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
jjmantele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 851	A Variac A variac would allow you to gradually bring up the voltage going into the power cord (not power chord 8) ) This is a good thing but probably not necessary here. Unless the caps have been laying around for several years, they are still "formed." A tech would use the variac since he has one and it is "safer" but if you don't have one and the caps are "new" don't worry about it. Do worry about killing yourself or at least being exposed to great pain and possible injury from either the 120/230vac input, the ~660VAC power supply taps and the 250-700VDC inside guitar amplifiers. The filter caps have the 250-700VDC. Often even when the cord is not plugged in. Keep one hand in a back pocket when taking readings. That may help keep your heart from being killed if you zap yourself. __________________ JJman If it says "Vintage" on it -it isn't.

February 16th, 2004, 10:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
tlpruitt Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 230	Make sure the polarity of new caps is same as old caps! If this is the first time you are do a cap job then check the old caps while they are in the amp and make a little diagram to show how the + and - are oriented on each cap. Make sure you put the new ones in with the same + and - orientation as the old ones. If you put any of the new ones in facing the wrong direction you will be sorry. __________________ Art is making something out of nothing and selling it. FZ

February 15th, 2004, 11:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
michael123 Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 267	so, you are saying, if i put brand new atomic caps in i do not have to recharge them and it will not affect the amp or tone adversley, i can just 1 discharge old caps 2 remove, 3 solder in new caps 4 plug in and play?