Bad Hot Rod Deluxe output trans?

[drewl]

Amp is weak sounding, breaking up way too early, very little clean sound but still putting out around 40watts.
All tube voltages where they should be, checked all the PC board connections, jacks etc.
Even when going into the loop return jack.
Swapped out all the tubes just to make sure, jumpered another output trans in and there was a noticeable jump in output power.
Odd, though it's not totally shot, just low on power and breaking up with hardly any clean sound.

[Mick Bailey]

Have you done the neon test to see if it has a shorted turn? The transformer will usually measure out fine with a DDMM and a 'ring test' is the best way to test for this.

[drewl]

I have a Sencore impedance tester at work.

That will tell me if I have any current leakage.

[Jazz P Bass]

Did the replacement (jumpered in) output transformer cleanup the signal?

You stated an increase in power but did it solve all of the issues.

I do not feel that that particular Fender output transformer is the most robust item that they could have installed.
(compare it to a vintage Bassman. Hmmph)

I have replaced a few.

[drewl]

It seemed to clear up the signal, not sure how good the trans I connected is.
It was the only one I had loose, an ancient organ trans without net feedback connected.

I get tons of these amps in since there are so many out there and only had one other with a bad OT that I can remember in the last ten years or so.

[g1]

If substitution clears the problem then it's bad.
What seems very strange is that you were able to still coax 40 watts out of it.
How did you measure that and did the waveform stay clean?

[52 Bill]

It seemed to clear up the signal, not sure how good the trans I connected is.
It was the only one I had loose, an ancient organ trans without net feedback connected.

Without the negative feedback connected, the volume would increase from that alone.

[drewl]

Sure, but without neg feedback the signal was cleaner, if anything it would be more distorted.
Plus I was getting more volume going into a 16 ohm speaker instead if the internal 8ohm.
Plus the test speaker was on the other side if the room as opposed to right in front of my face.

I will know for sure when the new tranny is here in a few days.