Power transformer for a SLM Crate VC20 tube amp.....

[aimeovaldi]

I acquired a Crate VC20 amp recently that had the power transformer removed. Does anybody know what a suitable replacement would be for this amp? I am new to this forum and will defer to the knowledge base I have read here. Thanks in advance.

[The Dude]

Part number is 94-275-01/30. You should be able to order it directly from Loud at 1-866-858-5832.

[aimeovaldi]

Man, that was fast! Thanks for the info. Hopefully this will do the trick.

[aimeovaldi]

Called Loud Tech - they no longer stock this transformer and had no help for me..... anybody got any other resources that I could try? Thanks.

[52 Bill]

Called Loud Tech - they no longer stock this transformer and had no help for me..... anybody got any other resources that I could try? Thanks.

Well, now you are at the point where you have some serious thinking to do. Based on the specs, that transformer has two secondaries: 6.3vct filament and a single high voltage secondary that I guesstimate to be about 225vac.

You can check into Hammond or Edcor and see if they have something that will match these basic specs, and fit into the space that the original one did.

Do you know the history of this amp? Why was the transformer removed? Are there other problems with the amp that caused the transformer to fail? Have you checked the output transformer? How about the tubes?

My point being that replacing the transformer may or may not make the amp work again and before you start sinking money into it, you might want to consider the additional costs that may be involved in bringing it back to life.

[J M Fahey]

Care to post the schematic?

[Jazz P Bass]

http://music-electronics-forum.com/t17681/#post144743

[aimeovaldi]

AHEM, I was told by the previous owner that the ONLY problem was the PT. not certain that this is true. I don't know if it would be worth sinking too much into this. I did get it very cheap - $30.00, and the cabinet is nice as is the Eminence Legend speaker. I bought the amp for the speaker and cabinet for another project but went another direction and hence the amp is just laying around. I am not an amp tech and know little about repairing tube amps. If this were worth sinking some money into, I would like to get it fixed as I had one of these years ago and remember it sounding quite nice. The closest tube amp repair services are about 70 miles away from me.

[aimeovaldi]

this is just the VC 2110 without reverb.

[52 Bill]

Depending upon what will fit into the chassis, a power transformer will cost somewhere between $50-$100, another $45 for new tubes. If you are able to do the work safely, then you could get away with a total of around $200 to have a working amp.

If there are more things wrong with the amp, you could maybe add another $100 in parts. And maybe add another $100 if you can't do the work yourself.

What is the amp worth to you? What part of the costs are you willing to pay in the name of educating yourself in amp repair? What sorts of skills do you already possess?

[aimeovaldi]

I already have the tubes, the cost would only be the transformer (I have an electronic tech educator that said he would do the work for no cost) I just need to find a suitable transformer to find out if that is the only problem, The other issues could be dealt with at the proper time.

[52 Bill]

I already have the tubes, the cost would only be the transformer (I have an electronic tech educator that said he would do the work for no cost) I just need to find a suitable transformer to find out if that is the only problem, The other issues could be dealt with at the proper time.

I would suggest that you check to see if this one at Edcor will fit your chassis. Edcor model XPWR164, 120 volt primary, 460vct, 6.3vct, 6.3vct. secondaries.

If it fits, you can use one half of the high voltage secondary winding and the 3 amp 6.3 volt filament winding to get the amp working again.

[aimeovaldi]

It appears that the Edcor transformer will fit on the chassis so I went ahead and ordered one, it will take about 6 weeks for delivery. The good news is that it was only 55.00. Hopefully there are no other major issues with the amp and I will have it completed for a small layout of expense. I will keep all posted on the outcome after it arrives and is installed. Thanks again for all the help.

[The Dude]

Sorry to hear that you got no help from LOUD. Let us know how you come out with the Edcor. Those are decent little amps. My only critique when I have played through one was that they were a little hot in the high end. I had always thought about picking one up and doing a little tone modification or trying some different speakers. Good luck!

[aimeovaldi]

I put in telefunken tubes in the power section and sovtek in the preamp section, and used a vintage Jensen p10 in the one that I previously owned and it had a nice vibe, as far as I remember. I am hopeful that this one will work out as well as the other did. For some reason I really like the old SLM Crate tube amps. Thanks for all the help.