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Post subject: How do you drain your filter caps?
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:18 pm
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How do "you" bleed your filter capacitors? There are a few different ways that I know of to drain the caps but which is the safest for you and your equipment? All suggestions welcomed.
Thanks.


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:16 pm
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The safest way would be to leave it sitting and not do anything until they discharge naturally.


Last edited by YZFJOE on Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:14 pm
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YZFJOE wrote:
The safest way would be to leave it sitting and not do anything untill they discharge naturally.


How long would it normally take? Is this with the amp plugged into the wall outlet or not?


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:14 pm
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Do not, under any circumstances, fiddle around in the back of the amp unless you know exactly what you're doing. Tube amps can and will discharge enough voltage to kill you. Learning these techniques by way of posts on a form is not the safest way; take it to a tech, ask him to do it and ask if you can watch and learn. He'll probably be happy to tell you.


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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:32 am
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Maybe you could try turning the amp on, strumming the open strings, then turn the amp off but leave the strings ringing.


Could this work?



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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:30 am
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No... No... and No. Leaving an amp off will take a fairly long time. Turning your amp off and strumming isn't reliable either.
Go here to learn about the procedures.

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/caps.html


Some of the methods above can get you killed!!!!!
Guessing and suggesting is not acceptable. You need to test the caps for voltage after.

Unless you know what you're doing, take it to a qualified tech.


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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:12 am
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63supro wrote:
No... No... and No. Leaving an amp off will take a fairly long time. Turning your amp off and strumming isn't reliable either.
Go here to learn about the procedures.

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/caps.html


Some of the methods above can get you killed!!!!!
Guessing and suggesting is not acceptable. You need to test the caps for voltage after.

Unless you know what you're doing, take it to a qualified tech.


That is some sound advice. I happen to have a degree in electronics so I know what dangers are involved. But to all who don't know, please listen to 63supro.
Thanks.


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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:20 am
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fender323 wrote:
63supro wrote:
No... No... and No. Leaving an amp off will take a fairly long time. Turning your amp off and strumming isn't reliable either.
Go here to learn about the procedures.

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/caps.html


Some of the methods above can get you killed!!!!!
Guessing and suggesting is not acceptable. You need to test the caps for voltage after.

Unless you know what you're doing, take it to a qualified tech.


That is some sound advice. I happen to have a degree in electronics so I know what dangers are involved. But to all who don't know, please listen to 63supro.
Thanks.


+1.

Letting an amp sit unplugged is a completely unreliable way of draining the caps.


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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:21 am
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fender323 wrote:
63supro wrote:
No... No... and No. Leaving an amp off will take a fairly long time. Turning your amp off and strumming isn't reliable either.
Go here to learn about the procedures.

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/caps.html


Some of the methods above can get you killed!!!!!
Guessing and suggesting is not acceptable. You need to test the caps for voltage after.

Unless you know what you're doing, take it to a qualified tech.


That is some sound advice. I happen to have a degree in electronics so I know what dangers are involved. But to all who don't know, please listen to 63supro.
Thanks.


Thanks for the support. I'd hate to see somebody get hurt or killed following somebody's advise that's not 1000% accurate.
Even though I don't see eye to eye with some posters on the forum regarding amps and artists and I am seriously opinionated, I like most of the posters here. Peoples safety is something I'm truly concerned and committed to .
Thanks Again


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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:26 pm
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All these electrocution anecdotes worry me, so I make sure my caps are discharged by putting the amp in a lead lined casket and then burying it in the back garden for 10 years. it's probably overkill, but you gotta be safe right? :wink:

Trouble is, it means all my amp repairs take at least 10 years.

Anyway, I'm just off to dig up my Fender Bassman. Trouble is I can't actually remember what I wanted to do to it.. :oops:


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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:03 pm
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Yeah Man! This is not a subject to be taken lightly, it's your life and limbs at jeopardy. There are plenty of resouces availible to walk you through the various methods, but having a tech actually show you is far superior! Take the previously posted advice! ART


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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:12 pm
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adey wrote:
All these electrocution anecdotes worry me, so I make sure my caps are discharged by putting the amp in a lead lined casket and then burying it in the back garden for 10 years. it's probably overkill, but you gotta be safe right? :wink:

Trouble is, it means all my amp repairs take at least 10 years.

Anyway, I'm just off to dig up my Fender Bassman. Trouble is I can't actually remember what I wanted to do to it.. :oops:


Don't worry about it, just be careful and respect the safety warnings and you'll be fine. Keep one hand in your pocket so you don't become part of the circuit.


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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:56 am
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Please take note:

"The ground you're standing on may be at the same electrical "potential" as the chassis—especially if you're in the basement or outside. So you could still be electrocuted even if only one hand is working inside the amp! Remember: what makes working on power supplies so dangerous is that you don't even have to come close to the filter caps to be killed."


I have seen this happen. One hand in a pocket is no guarantee of safety.


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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:26 am
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It's still way better than having two hands in the chassis. I agree though, especially if you are in the basement and barefoot. You should also remove ALL jewelry including rings and bracelets etc. Common sense should always prevail.


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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:03 am
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63supro wrote:
It's still way better than having two hands in the chassis. I agree though, especially if you are in the basement and barefoot. You should also remove ALL jewelry including rings and bracelets etc. Common sense should always prevail.




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No metal touching your skin whatsoever!!


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