Jonson Monarch M-4 (5D8 Fender Twin clone) B+ too high

[octal]

So, I've got this Johnson Monarch M-4, which is a loose Canadian clone of the 5D8 Fender Twin.
Plugged straight in to the wall, the B+ is stupidly high (500V.) Original filter can cap was rated @500V, I replaced with a 525V cap. I would like to sell the amp, and while I can run it on a variac to get the B+ in line, I can't count on whoever I sell it to having the knowledge to do that, and I want to sell a reliable amp, not a time bomb. I'm using NOS 5Y3 recto tubes (it uses 2 in parallel.) A 250 ohm sag resistor at the PT centertap brings the B+ down to 432V, which is still really high. I'd really like to see something like 370-400V.
I bought a stud mount 39V/25W zener from Weber which for some reason only drops the B+ only about 10V when installed in the CT ground leg.

Ultimately the power transformer seems to be way overwound for this application. I don't want to make the supply too saggy by introducing tons of resistance. 5Y3s are pretty saggy to begin with...

Any ideas for the best way to fix this beast?

Nathan

[g1]

Is the heater voltage high? A bucking transformer in the primary is an option.

[pdf64]

Is the 500V HT with the power tubes in place, warmed up and drawing HT current?
What are the PT Vac of the HT and yes, heater windings?

[octal]

I thought about a bucking transformer, but didn't want to drill holes. Maybe I should rethink that. Filament voltage is high, something like 6.8-6.9V. I don't have the HT AC voltage on hand, the amp is not at home with me at the moment. Will measure tomorrow and report back.

Yes, the B+ reading was taken with the amp on with all tubes in place. You don't even want to know what the B+ is when you turn the amp on cold...high 500s. There's a shared 250 ohm cathode resistor for the 2 6L6 which has about 32V across it (this is measured with the sag resistor in place and a B+ of 432) so the tubes are drawing a reasonable amount of current IMO- looks like that would be 128mA for the pair, so 64mA each, about 400V from plate to cathode for a total screen+plate dissipation of 25W/tube.

[The Dude]

Have you tried yanking one of the rectifier tubes? Obviously won't fix the higher heater voltage problem, but might give you more B+ sag.



Also, you might want to change the 25V rated cathode bypass cap in the output tube stage.

[octal]

I just tried that this afternoon! It pulled down the B+ a little, but it's still stupidly high, I also suspect this thing is going to sag REALLY badly now with a 250ohm sag resistor, only one rectifier tube- which happens to be a 5y3, which is one of the saggier tubes to begin with.

Great point on the cathode bypass cap- I think I changed it when I got this amp a couple of years ago- but did I bump it to a 50V? I will check tomorrow.

[octal]

I've got 427-0-427 AC coming from the power transformer under load. (Measured with a Fluke 77, I don't think it's a true RMS meter, but it should be close.)

Adjusting the primary down to 115V brings the filament voltage to 6.3 and the B+ to 470 w/o sag resistor and 410 with it.

[pdf64]

Unfortunately I think a bucking transformer, or a whole new PT, may be the best way forward.
Note that HT winding voltage is way above the 350Vac limit of a 5Y3 using a reservoir cap http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/f...93/5/5Y3GT.pdf

A single 5U4 (450Vac limit) seems to be a better choice whatever http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/f...93/5/5U4GB.pdf

[octal]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best repair route to go with this beast with selling it afterwards in mind? Options are to sell it as it stands as an inop project (yes, it works, but selling as an inop project pretty much stops any functional complaints right there) could swap the PT out to the Classic Tone Tweed Twin 40-18094 at around $106, could take it to the next level and actually convert it to a full on 5D8 twin clone (swap pt and OT, make minor component changes) or to just go totally crazy and make it into a 5F6-A Bassman or Marshall clone. I just don't have a good feel for what would sell best, and if I'd get my money back with making it a more involved project. Does anyone have any advice?

[g1]

My thoughts would be to do the minimum (PT replacement).
The further you go, the less likely you are to recoup your costs. These are just too oddball and unknown. Unless you have someone lined up and basically commissioning the job to their preference.
At least in my market anyway.

[octal]

Well, if they're "too oddball and unknown" in Canada, I'm sure that's even more so the case here in the states! That was kind of my thinking about taking it further down the exact clone road-- i.e. it might sell better if I can honestly pitch it as a full on 5D8 Fender Twin clone which just so happens to be in a Johnson Monarch chassis. You have a good point, though- it's just going to be classified as an oddball amp, and nothing I do to it is going to make it worth a ton. I'll post what I end up doing in case anyone is curious.

[DougMac]

Johnson Monarch M4

Greetings, I am new here. I have a Johnson M4 Combo. 2x12. Superb amp and silent at idle.
The transformers may be way overwound as Albert ran an electronics supply store and used whatever he had.
Not about to throw anything out, everything had to go or he would be left holding it.
I have been told that the huge output trannies are designed for 30 cycle power. Not 60 like we use now.
30or maybe less. That was the standard in Ontario until much later than other provinces.
Some areas had it till the mid 60s.
I’m looking for am M4 for my kid. Maybe we can go elsewhere in the forum and talk Johnson.

[g1]

Yes, 25Hz in Ontario. Hammond transformers were based in Ontario so they were designed to handle 25Hz til after it was no longer used.
I have a dead one kicking around somewhere and was wondering why it said 25hz on the label, that's why I found this out.
That would be the power transformer, the output transformer does not use the line voltage.

Now I checked and the Monarch I worked on had Celestion branded transformers I don't think they were designed for that? Are there Hammond transformers in your amp?
The output transformer may also be designed to handle down to 30Hz audio frequencies, but this is not so uncommon, especially with Hifi type components.

[DougMac]

I’m not too tech savvy but mine has a massive Hammond and a Celestion output tranny.
I tried dating the build components and they ranged from 1947-55.
My brother worked for Albert after school back in the mid 50’s soldering connections that were Pre positioned.
My Monarch sounds fantastic. Can peel paint with it or tame it down for smooth honey tones.
Weighs a ton but it is a keeper.