Did I fry my output transformer?

[Chuck H]

Just found this too. From back in February (which would be less than eight months ago, not a year). And apparently theculprit DID try the Peavey after the incident. Either they don't remember that or chose to lie about it for some reason. Either way we shouldn't expect honest or accurate reporting from this member. Which means we can't help. They need a tech.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threa...rew-up.298562/

Contemporary with this MEF thread on another forum he was asked to plug into the effects loop (or just jumper the effects loop) and experienced loud squealing feedback.

Reading through the other forums and this earlier one I think it's likely cruddy contacts that need cleaning. With loud feedback I don't suspect the OT or even the flyback diodes. Unless diodes can fail intermittently. Which they may but I've never seen it.

[R.G.]

Hmm. Maybe the OP was looking for an easier answer.

The internet seems to have popularized the idea that for technical issues, there is probably a quick and dirty trick for fixing things. Youtube has reams of videos on doing "hacks" of nearly everything, from cooking, to construction, to tools, to life in general, even medicine (!!!). All have the underlying idea that there is a quick, easy trick to just cut through needing to know or understand some situation, sidestepping that difficult study and practice to achieve expertise. It's a riff on the idea that all specialists are taking advantage of you and overcharging you, combined with some good old Dunning Kruger.

Dunning-Kruger is pernicious. It's the idea that people who know the least about some issue are also the ones who lack the knowledge to understand how much they don't know about the topic.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/chatg...yman-a-quraini
Maybe people need to watch Disney's 1940 section of Fantasia, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" more.

[Chuck H]

Youtube has reams of videos on doing "hacks" of nearly everything, from cooking, to construction, to tools, to life in general, even medicine (!!!).

I completely agree with all the above. As to the quote I pulled, well... I recently had to do some repairs of my pathetic old van (1999 E-150) and I don't have a Haynes or Chilton's manual for it. So I had to resort to Youtube. I did find some of what I needed and had to figure out the rest on my own. I missed being able to look at parts diagrams, photos and read instruction from experienced mechanics. That always worked better for me. This is the only vehicle I've owned that I don't have a service manual for. I'd need to order on on line now but I remember when all the auto parts chains had a virtual library of Haynes and/or Chilton's manuals you could buy off the shelf.

[g1]

I think the best true-ism for the 'easy answer' quest is that there is 'no free lunch'. Or as I like to say, 'if it's an easy fix, you've already done it'.

[R.G.]

Yeah, youtube can be useful for seeing real parts and teardowns. I do that myself. But you clearly had the background and tools (and probably scars on your knuckles) to just go wading into your van. As we say in Texas, not your first rodeo. Not quite the same thing as youtube videos that show things like pouring raw eggs into an opened bag of chips and then boiling the bag for a "quick meal" or hot-gluing chipsticks to a USB fan to make a cake mixer.

[J M Fahey]

"I need no f*ck*ng voltage measurements! Just tell me which resistor I must replace!"

FWIW I was once replied to: "if you don't know what's wrong, (without testing or measuring ) then you are not a Tech"

I *should* have answered: "sorry, it is the transformer" and then directed him to buy a $120 Mercury Magnetics one

[Chuck H]

...

I was once replied to: "if you don't know what's wrong, (without testing or measuring ) then you are not a Tech"

I *should* have answered: "Wow! Sorry for the rash response. Here, let me help you pick up your teeth."

[DrGonz78]

I plead the 5th the 7th and a G minor.

[theculprit]

Hey fellas sorry for the late reply. It's been one hell of a week but I finally have some time to come back to this. Going to try and answer all of your questions as best as I can. Appreciate you all and thank you again for taking the time.

[theculprit]

I don't automatically think that connecting the two amps together would damage either one. presumably you weren't paying for long? The signal into the peavey is just going in backwards but voltage levels would be in line with norms. Definitely not recommended practice. Interested to hear what others say on that.

With the low output you need to isolate if it bad preamp or power amp first. Is there an FX loop on the amp where you can listen to the preamp? And inject your guitar into the power amp. it will be a little quiet but hopefully clean confirming that the power amp is OK including the output transformer.

There is an effects loop and there are also volume pots for both the send and return. Someone also suggested I check the return on another forum and I am able to get a clean signal from the return, but as you mentioned it is a bit quiet. So I think you may be right and it might not be the transformer after all.

[theculprit]

Cr100 & CR103, damper diodes, when fail, fail short circuit. That will take the HT fuse out at power up and give no sound at all.
Probably needs some TLC to get it working properly again and just coincidence that it is not as sweet sounding as the Randall.

That is very interesting and actually makes a lot of sense. I am hoping it is the latter. I will do a full clean this weekend.

[theculprit]

.Please post ot link both schematics

Here is a link to the schematics, cheers.

[theculprit]

Haha!!! Yours is the first description for and you are the first proponent for the neon bulb test for OT's here. So there's no way you wouldn't post this. That said... As general and gentle as your post is I think you may have just blown up the OP's brain. I apologize to the OP it they are offended but "I do have a multimeter on hand, but I'm not sure where to even start..." might indicate a skill level requiring even more general terminology and a walk through any processes. I hadn't posted because I think their best bet is to wait for their tech to look at it.?.

Not offended at all man, I actually quite enjoy the banter! You are absolutely right in that there is a massive skill gap here and I am very new to this.

IMHE the problem with your Peavey could well be neglected and corroded contacts. Take some time to use peoper products and clean every accessible non soldered contact in the amp. This site is chock full of good info about how to do this with a little searching. Nothing to be lost in the effort.

Thank you, I will definitely take a look and see how to properly clean this thing. I think you may be right here. I have some time this weekend and I'm very well looking forward to it.

[theculprit]

You're right, Chuck. That sentence should have triggered a different message number.

@ OP: It is difficult to tell from your post, but unless you are sure you already know how to work safely inside an AC powered device, you probably should get a tech to look at it for you. The insides of a tube amp can retain hazardous voltages, even after the power switch is turned off, and even for a while after being unplugged. Developing the skills to work in mains powered electronics is difficult to do, and not something to do by reading the internet. Remember: no amp is worth dying for.

If you already have these skills, and just don't know about how to debug a suspected transformer issue, that's a different matter. My post was more suited to this possibility. Chuck's comment is good advice; contacts are always suspect, always, and don't require risking electrocution in most cases. Your instinct to try new tubes was also good; there is a reason they are in sockets and not soldered in. Your tech friend's idea is a possibility; those diodes take a lot of punishment when an amp is pushed with no load.

For reference, you might want to read the Tube Amp Debugging Page here: http://www.geofex.com/ampdbug/ampdebug.htm It reflects my state of knowledge about the debugging process as I knew it 27 years ago. I really should re-write that and include some things I've learned since, like Chuck's advice on contacts. But it gets you a good order of suspicion.

I appreciate your sentiment and kind words R.G. As I mentioned to Chuck I am very new to this and only recently sparked this interest in electronics. My plan was to bleed the amp (which Idk if it is even possible to fully do) and see if there are any bad caps/components and possibly replace them. I'd like to learn, but maybe some things are just better left to the pros.

I'll follow your advice and check the Tube Amp Debugging Page and if a little maintenance doesn't work I'll take it to the tech.

[theculprit]

OP has posted this question on at least 3 other forums, plus reddit. Maybe getting more action elsewhere.

Haha man, as a matter of fact out of all the places I've asked for help so far you guys actually know what you are talking about!