Help with fuses blowing at startup

[Ankaret]

Im clearly not good with the technical stuff, so hopefully it's whatever version would go to US customers. I live in Seattle.

And right now the only option that would guarantee my having something to plug my headphones in and enjoy listening to my records would be $200 + shipping two ways which Im guessing would be in the ballpark of $250, which is essentially the price of another crack kit or another amp...ramen noodles and credit cards here I come I guess.

 

[Ankaret]

but NightFlight that would be really helpful if you wanted to take it off my hands and if that would be alright with the bottlehead folks of course.

 

[Doc B]

Not to make too much of this, but if you guys are doing a deal you need to do it through PMs. There are no for sale or wanted posts allowed on the forum. Secondly, you are in Seattle? I didn't know that. Why don't you just bring the amp over to our shop? PB can work with you to check it out and give you guidance on how to do the repair. The most it would cost you is the price of the transformer.

 

[NightFlight]

Hey man, there you go! Solved.  I for one wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see the shop and meet the folk.

Sorry Doc. We did PM, but I also wanted to be open about it as well. I tried to PM you directly but the site appears not to currently accept  PMs to you.  But.. its all moot.

 

[Ankaret]

Hi Doc.

That would be a nice option to just bring it over to you guys and buy the transformer there and get it working with your help.
When could I come by? You guys aren't around on Sundays are you?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yeah, Sundays we are closed. 

This coming week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday are great! 

-PB

 

[Ankaret]

Ok, this Monday (tomorrow) morning not so good?

If not, Ill either try to come early Tuesday (you guys open at 10am, right?) or more likely in the afternoon Wednesday. What's the latest Wednesday that you'd be there PB? Or earliest Tuesday morning?

Thanks, really looking forward to visiting!

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Tuesday morning - 10:00 AM or later looks good. 
Wednesday afternoon - I'd like to leave the office by 6 if possible.

-PB

 

[Ankaret]

Great, Ill try to swing by around 3pm on Wednesday since I get off a little early that day.

 

[Ankaret]

Bummer, too much work tomorrow. Ill either try Friday or definitely some day next week.

PB, what days might you be in next week?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I am available at any time next week except Monday and Thursday.

-PB

 

[Doc B]

The amp came in to the shop yesterday. The reversed rectifier diode had indeed shorted the primary winding of the power transformer, heating it to the point that the label and black tape on the coil had actually bubbled up from the coil itself.

The backwards diode had already been replaced. I put in a new transformer, checked over the rest of the assembly - which was very neat with excellent solder joints - did resistance and voltage checks and we had her playing some Ayron Jones and the Way before she left the shop.

 

[Ankaret]

As Doc B. said, taking the trip to Bottlehead HQ was well beyond worth it. Thanks again very much for spending the time looking it over and putting in the new transformer for me. Listening to it the last few days has been absolutely amazing! The amp paired with 650s is kind of re-defining music listening for me right now, I couldn't be happier.

Super blown away by the service walking into Bottlehead. I don't think Ive had that good of an experience anywhere else before, as soon as I showed up Dan basically dropped whatever was going on and prioritized his time and full attention to looking the amp over and working with it until it was up and running and even safely taped and packed for my return trip. Wow. Thanks so much! Also nice to know that it wasn't a totally screwy build on my part, just that backwards diode that wreaked havoc on the transformer the first round.

I haven't even been able to get around to finalizing the gluing or finishing of the wood because every time I go to do it I end up turning it on and just listening to music instead. I think that says a lot about a combination of my laziness and mostly how amazing this amp sounds.

 

[NightFlight]

Thank-you for the closure on this topic.  I, like most of you were pretty certaint it was the transformer, but it's good to hear the resolution.  Ha. Most of Ankaret. 

Ankaret. Try plugging in a 5998 and a pair of Hd800. Speedball first of course.

Welcome to the club.