Ampeg b15 tx

[Arbutt]

Hi all
Just a quick one. I have a ampeg b15. It's it for a full service. It's a 110v version 1970s ish the owner is interested it making it 240v for the UK. Rewind it instead of replacing it.

My question. Can the tx be rewound.? Is it set in resin? I don't want to remove it until I know. As it's pointless to remove it to refit after wards. As he don't want to replace it with a after market part.

Many thanks
Arbutt

[Jon Snell]

They were vacuum hot dipped in laquer and that is a pain to break into.
I have converted two. The first one was a cutomer that required 240v input from a 110v transformer. My tamd transformer factory, removed the windings, after testing, and rewound with a new primary. It was put together using the original laminations and covers so you couldn't tell. It even had the correct colours of wire feeders.
The second guy couldn't afford it so I fitted a 240 to 110volt auto transformer in the box.
A much cheaper option.
Have a word with https://www.transformers.uk.com/valv...o-transformers
They carry most versions.

[Arbutt]

Thanks. so they are sealed in the metal case. If I can get the tx out. My guy will make me another to go inside it. I wanted to go with a Marshall tx. But that will stand out, customer says no
Arbutt

[drewl]

Damn, talk about picky!

The things we do for clients.

[J M Fahey]

Wind a clone but with proper primary.
Dual 120V primaries even better.

Only "advantage" of disassembling and rewinding the original one is recycling some lamination steel and secondary copper wire ... that if you can pull it undamaged.

Supposing you can, the raw iron and copper value you are "saving" is *nothing* compared to the PITA involved in (imperfectly) recovering them.

In often do that job, since a lot of customers travel to Miami, NY or LA and bring US version amps back, we have 220V mains, but I warn them full recycling costs twice as much as a new build.
And is much faster.

PTs have no Mojo associated, no influence on tone, as long as they provide proper voltages and currents.

EDIT:

I wanted to go with a Marshall tx. But that will stand out, customer says no
Arbutt

Quote rewind vs. new prices and let his wallet decide.

• Damn, talk about picky!
  
  The things we do for clients.

No problem IF they pay for the privilege.

That said, those transformers live inside a sealed can and at least old ones used tar as encapsulating material which is easy to remelt so new one fits inside and nobody´s the wiser.

Now if they filled can with a pint of Epoxy .......

[Ted]

I've had literally dozens of these rewound for UK mains. You need to get them out of the bitumen they are encased in which is disgusting and probably carcinogenic. However it can be reused. I have an old electric oven I keep in the shed for this.

Trans-tronic have been winding mine for years, but any half competent transformer manufacturer should be able to do the job. They will strip the windings and clean the lams for you.

If you need a bobbin I have nylon ones which fit B15 iron.