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cap job myself

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 2:41 pm
by 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 :D

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 3:26 pm
by 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. :wink:

--mark

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 4:17 pm
by 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? :D

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 4:38 pm
by 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.......

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 7:42 pm
by Dr.HI-TONE
try Tube Amp Doctor in Germany
they should have the caps you need.

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 7:04 pm
by jujub
thanks....will there caps set from hi-tone anymore?

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 9:49 pm
by teethdream
jujub wrote: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.

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:26 pm
by 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.

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:33 pm
by teethdream
Dr.HI-TONE wrote: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?

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:42 pm
by 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. :D

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:33 am
by 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.

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 1:08 pm
by 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.

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 2:17 pm
by jujub
Cap job donne at last.

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

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

Thanks

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:19 pm
by 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

Re: cap job myself

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 7:34 pm
by jujub
i 've edited my post..sorry for my english