Deluxe Reverb RI. power trans have thermal fuse?

[drewl]

Anyone know if the deluxe reverb reissue power transformer have an internal thermal fuse before I rip it open to check?

Open primary, reverb driver cathode resistor fried and cathode cap blown to shreds.
Must have been pulling some current there, but fuses or thermal resistor are all good.

Thanks.

[Audiotexan]

Being a modern power transformer, I'd put $20 on yes.

Besides, open primary is open. So you're getting a new one if it ISNT fused...so nothing to lose either way IMO.

[drewl]

Well if it isn't fused I won't waste my time ripping it open, and time is money!
Now get back to work.

[TomCarlos]

I know that the Hot Rod Deluxe uses an PT internal thermal fuse. Yes, the fuse can be replaced but you really don't want to do that. It's way too much work and you could be compromising the integrity of the transformer when you try to put it back together. There are the transformer windings that can be damaged and the paper too. For $60 - $75, go buy yourself a new one... I think the other Sr. guys here would agree.

[Chuck H]

I think Tom is right. You'll spend more time and trouble fixing the fuse than it's worth. Also, in another thread it was discussed that the particulars of internal thermal fuses make replacing them a losing venture (in proper function or cost) most of the time anyway.

Being a mid sized Fender amp I'd bet that there IS a fuse in there. It seems to be a common feature on most of their other products of similar build. It also seems WAAAYYY too common for that fuse to blow on such amps.

[drewl]

It only takes about half an hour to replace a thermal fuse.
As long as the replacement is the same specs and the trans rewrapped correctly it will be fine.
Its not rocket science.

[Jazz P Bass]

Its not rocket science.

Tell that to the lawyers.

The transformer was obviusly stressed to the point of fuse failure.

I vote for 'Ditch It'.

[TomCarlos]

Ok... I found my old thread where I was asking the same question as drewl... Click here

[Chuck H]

I'll try to find the thread where it was discussed and link it. I know at face value it seems simple, but it's not. Remember that we're talking about a thermal fuse and not an electrical fuse.

A half an hour to:

Disassemble the transformer sufficient to locate the fuse
Remove that fuse (However it happens to be connected)
Identify fuse (Voltage, current and thermal properties. Part number? Probably proprietary. Manufacturer tech support? Not likely.)
Determine availability of fuse in your inventory or locate it to place an order.
Likely order the fuse (assuming you were able to identify it sufficiently)
Put disassembled transformer in a box or bag and store pending parts arrival.
Install new fuse
Reassemble transformer

You're good!

The typical "fix" for personal use is to simply bypass the fuse. This assumes that the transformer will now be subject to all the same hazards as millions of unfused transformers. Fine. But that surely places a liability on someone doing a paid repair. Then again, I doubt replacement of the thermal fuse in the transformer is a repair free of placing liability on the repair anyway!?! The PT is no doubt considered bad by the manufacturer once the fuse blows. I personally wouldn't want to be the guy that bypassed or replaced that fuse should the amp ever catch on fire for any reason.

Angela sells a replacement part for about $65. What does a half hour of shop time cost? I'd charge the customer the small difference and be free of the trouble and liability.

I'm not trying to debate this. These just seem like practical considerations. I hope it goes well for you however you choose to approach it. And if you do replace the fuse maybe you could link the part here since others run up against this problem all the time.

Cheers

[drewl]

Replacement thermal fuses are quite easy to find, even radio shack has the correct ones.

So if you replace any part in an amp, even new and it fails or the owner does something stupid and blames you, it sounds like the lawyers are going to "get you" anyway.
Why repair anything, you're just asking for a lawsuit.

[TomCarlos]

Drewl....

I think the difference is "due diligence" and "negligence." It's just like me getting my car serviced from the local mechanic. If he installs a new part in my engine, but I am stupid enough to stick my hands on a hot manifold, shame on me. But if the mechanic does a kluge job and takes the band aid approach to replacing a part but stitching it together, knowing it might be dangerous compared to a new part, well, shame on him.

Tom

[drewl]

Just playing Devil's advocate here.
But if the same part is used as a replacement its not a kluge job.

Heck the trans might be totally bad for all I know.

[Chuck H]

It might be bad. If the dozen or so reports I've read about people bypassing or replacing the fuse in Fender PT's prove telling in this case it will just be the fuse that went. I might just replace the transformer with OEM and then fix the old one for a personal project or a friendly repair later.

[drewl]

Always return bad parts to the customer.
Its about trust.
I see now, you're all just jealous of my mad skillz, call me super-tech!
I am the lizard king and I can fix anything.

No! Don't repair that, that's insane!
Too bad Johnny, I'm going in!

Aaaand, I'm just kidding of course.

[52 Bill]

drewl, you certainly can fix anything that you want, in any way that you want. But some of us are in different situations than you are.

I work for a Fender dealer. I didn't sign the paperwork to become an authorized repair station, so I don't know what the legal contract terms are, but I would think that Fender would not be very supportive of this repair.

As I am not qualified to test the transformer for faults that could have caused the internal fuse to open, I would think that if there was a problem like a fire, the lawyers would be looking at our store and at the much deeper pocketed folks at Fender.

Perhaps if the transformer was returned to the original supplier, it could be repaired, tested and re-certified for use. Obviously this would cost more that a new transformer.