It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:47 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: 1977 Vibro Champ
Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:22 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:27 am
Posts: 77
I have just bought this amp - it is actually a Bronco amp - from USA and I need to run it on 240v .
I recall reading somewhere that some of the later Champ amps could be rewired to run on 240v instead of the USA 110v .
Does anyone know anything about this ?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 12:02 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Check the schematic. You may need to temporoarily remove the bell housing of the primary tranny on one side to make the wiring changes.

http://ampedia.redbeartrading.com/data/ ... _schem.gif


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Hey B-man, did you notice those tranny part #s on the schem?

The US version's iron is all labled in the FMI format (022XXX) while the export model has the earlier FEIC numbers (125XXX).

Weird!

But to the case at hand, I think it would be more sensible to procure a step-down tranny to convert wall socket voltage from 240 VAC 50 Hz to 117 VAC 60 Hz than to diddle around with an original PT and risk possible damage.

JMO

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:52 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:27 am
Posts: 77
The schematic means nothing to me . Thanks for posting it though , I may be able to show it to my tech .
What I was getting at though was I thought I heard that some Champs had like a coil tap ? for want of a better description that by a simple and reversable wireing mod that would change the transformer into a 240v model .


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 3:53 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:27 am
Posts: 77
I just found this :

Hi Scarlet Theory,

Depending on the power transformer in your Champ you may be able to re-wire it to run on 240V.

From around 1972 - 1979 the power transformer was basically a one size fits all in the Champ / Vibrochamp / Bronco ie it could run 110 / 220 /240V. I have rewired a number of these to run 240V no dramas. If you are going to do so make sure you refurbish the whole circuitboard and capcan.

Sorry MuchXs just re-read the thread, basically same as you said

If I can be of any help Scarlet Theory let me know
Last edited by Mat; February 4th, 2009 at 09:12 PM.. Reason: Extyra info


So I think this is what I needed to know .


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:48 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
There's a vendor on Ebay who is currently selling a drop-in replacement cap can for these amps. If yours is original (and I'm betting it probably is) it should be replaced before proceeding.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 3:05 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:27 am
Posts: 77
Thanks Retro.
What is this cap can and what does it do ?
Could you supply a link to this vendor ? I can't find him .


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 3:28 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Multi-section cap cans are part of the power supply's filter sections. AES carries what you need. Unless you've done this before, I'd hada tech replace your unit's cap can.

http://tubesandmore.com/

JJ Electronics Model Number: C-EC40-20X3-500


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:40 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
If the amp hasn't been serviced recently it likely needs the death cap disabled and a grounded power cord installed as well.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:33 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
ToadMitch wrote:
Thanks Retro.
What is this cap can and what does it do ?
Could you supply a link to this vendor ? I can't find him .


Here you are......

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Champ-Vibro- ... 4cefaaaedb

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 2:58 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Posted this on wrong thread (Alzheimers setting in quickly...) :oops:

Arjay, re: JJ versus FP (Mallory-style, reissued from AES) cap cans. I've used both, but find that the JJ (on the whole) seem a bit quieter. Of course, one may need to use real Czech-made ear plugs to truly hear the difference.

Anyone do a head-to head test in terms of reliability and performance between these two? I've asked on hi-fi boads, and they seem to like the JJ better. I like the FP cans because you don't need cramp adapter. They look much more OEM.

Thanks, for any input.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:14 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
BMW2002Ti wrote:
Posted this on wrong thread (Alzheimers setting in quickly...) :oops:


No problem......my response is on the wrong thread too.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: