cap job myself

[jujub]

Hi, guy , think I need a cap job for my '74 HIwatt SA212 (background noise 50hz).

I want to do I myself... is there any thing to know before ( discharge caps?)

thank you

[mhuss]

As long as the amp is unplugged and off for 20 minutes or more, the caps should all be discharged. All Hiwatts have 220k balancing resistors across the power supply caps that also act to discharge the caps after power is removed.

The plastic-insulated wire melts pretty easily, so don't heat the solder joints for too long.

--mark

[jujub]

thanks for answering'

Where should I buy a recap set ?

Is HI tone enable to provide (sell) me one? should I go for a European shop instead? which one?

[tWreCK]

Vintage Hiwatt Restorations ie Hi-Tone online shop used to have recap kits for vintage Hiwatts - not sure if they still do? Status says out-of-stock - don't know if it's temporary or they'll be back in stock soon.......

[Dr.HI-TONE]

try Tube Amp Doctor in Germany
they should have the caps you need.

[jujub]

thanks....will there caps set from hi-tone anymore?

[teethdream]

thanks....will there caps set from hi-tone anymore?

I was actually wondering that same thing myself... I was going to order a set of caps from Hi-Tone for my DR201 to replace the JJ caps that are inside it right now next pay.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

probably not.
it isn't worth the hassle, especially when sending them outside the USA requires a trip to the Post Office.
We are focusing on amplifiers and speaker cabinets.

[teethdream]

probably not.
it isn't worth the hassle, especially when sending them outside the USA requires a trip to the Post Office.
We are focusing on amplifiers and speaker cabinets.

That makes a lot of sense. Do you have a particular brand you reccomend?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

F&Ts sound the best and are the highest quality.
ARS and TAD caps are "okay" but are made in Taiwan and the quality is questionable.
JJ's are good quality, but sound brittle to me.

of course if you end up picking up the SE3120's I can send you home with a set.

[jujub]

thanks so I'll probably go for F&T.

as my amp is an SA212 Which cap should I buy? theses:

(1) 50uf + 50uf 500v Can -
(1) 100uf 100v Axial -
(3) 220uf 450v Cans -
(1) 16uf + 32uf 500v Can.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

those would work.
The bias cap my be a 150uf in your amp, you may want to check your original caps before ordering new ones.

[jujub]

Cap job donne at last.

But I found the bias cap is 250uF ... is this or ok?

Since I left the original tube i didnt change the original...Is this safe?

Thanks

[mhuss]

Increasing the bias cap value is fine, and won't change the sound.

Tubes - depends on what shape they're in more than how old they are. Preamp tubes last almost forever, but power tubes eventually get weak. Not unsafe, but they produce poor sound.

--mark

[jujub]

i 've edited my post..sorry for my english