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Is This Transformer Burnt?

sine_wave
July 13th, 2012, 12:59 PM
I just pulled the chassis on my silverface Princeton Reverb yesterday (I've only owned it for a little over a month or so). Everything looks really nice and un-touched, but I'm a little worried, maybe unnecessarily so about one of the transformers.

There's a gold-colored transformer that sits close to the Mallory 20/20/20/20 capacitor. Mine has some very slight damage or "browning" to the finish on the transformer. I'm wondering if this is a sign that the Mallory 20/20/20/20 cap is past it's due date and has started putting extra strain on the trannies. In fact, I know the Mallory is past due, I'm just hoping there's no damage. Here's a picture:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=134673&stc=1&d=1342198296

I have one more question... This is the first time I've pulled the chassis on a Fender amp. I noticed there's a separate, small board over by the red jewel pilot lamp. On the board, there are two resistors and a silver can Mallory cap. What is this circuit and is this cap another one that I should get around to replacing, ASAP? Any suggestions? Here's a pic of aforementioned board:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=134674&stc=1&d=1342198576

Thanks,
John

jhundt
July 13th, 2012, 01:15 PM
that is your output transformer, and it is probably working just fine.

the small circuit board is the bias supply. If you are going to replace caps, you should probably replace this one too. Some guys are very adamantly in favor of replacing this cap; some are not so concerned. But it is getting pretty old (44 years?) so maybe it's a good idea.

if you are planning to replace the bias cap, you should also consider adding a pot (or a small trim pot) to allow for adjustable bias. It wires right into that board.

printer2
July 13th, 2012, 06:37 PM
Looks like rust.

pajur
July 13th, 2012, 09:46 PM
Looks like rust.

Looks more like GOLD to me. Very valuable these days!

No, seriously, I agree with printer2.

I see some rust and paint chipped off and then I see something like an old lacquer or epoxy going dark from aging (sort of opposite from what my hair color does). Absolutely no concern whatsoever.

piece of ash
July 13th, 2012, 09:57 PM
Looks fine... just old and rusty. Replace those caps... and then don't worry about it anymore.

printer2
July 14th, 2012, 08:55 AM
Don't be tempted to clean off the rust. The last thing you want is to accidentally cause the laminations to short together (oops), maybe give the corner a coat of varnish or something.

tubeswell
July 14th, 2012, 08:58 PM
And the brown resiny stuff is just a blob of lacquer that they've used to coat the whole thing when they've put it together. (Some peeps use paint, others varnish)