Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: plexi50 on February 05, 2013, 08:11:50 pm

Title: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: plexi50 on February 05, 2013, 08:11:50 pm
Very low and distorted volume. Cant get any volume until the pot is on at least #8. Bias is perfect and power are good. SS preamp problem. This has the Automix circuit as well. All inputs produce low volume and distorted level. I have never had much luck with these amps
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series
Post by: Platefire on February 06, 2013, 11:53:35 am
Har! Nobody is diving in on this one  :laugh: Know how you feel, because I put out post sometimes nobody wants to touch  :help:

So you think it's a SS preamp problem. Have you checked all the normal stuff---power tubes, chop sitcked for cold solder joints, good solid ground points, looked for burnt components and checked voltages? Platefire
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series
Post by: plexi50 on February 06, 2013, 04:20:09 pm
These amps are a D. If i only had a layout with part numbers on it i would be done already. I have probed the entire preamp board using the listening device and it is loud and proud. The preamp signal is fine but not making a connection to the pre out or to the power tube coupling. I can see the part values on the schematic i need to check but cant find them on the board itself. I am tracing the best my eyes will let me at this moment.

I have a hum at the preamp out and amp out jacks. I pulled the connector that joins the preamp and power amp on the board 1 mile to the east of the pre and power jacks and also have hum on pins 2&3 of the connector that mate the pre & power amp.

I just found a bad JRC4558 chip (replaced) and now have pre & power signal at the jacks and resistors surrounding the pre & power connector. Still no preamp coupling to the power amp itself. Bypass patch makes no diff. So close. Got to stop for today.
If i can find the PI coupling cap and resistors IR13 4.7K & IR14 IK & IC18 cap i think that will do it.

Without this listening device/probe i would be completley blind and wasting my time  
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series
Post by: Platefire on February 06, 2013, 10:48:16 pm
I haven't contacted Peavey lately but use to everytime I would contact them regarding an amp, they would send me a complete schematic and layout. Last time they sent electronic files by e-mail. If you haven't tired them, it would be worth a try. Platefire
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series
Post by: plexi50 on February 07, 2013, 02:16:38 pm
Worth a try i suppose Platefire. Usually dont need a schematic much anymore. But of course this amp with the SS preamp will through you off your normal thinking and ease. The schematics i have show different OP amps and i think some of them are actual switching chips and opto. RCA 945 & Texas Instruments TL604
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series
Post by: plexi50 on February 08, 2013, 08:44:20 pm
Amp done and sounds good. The problem was a 22K 2 watt resistor that was the 130VDC feed for the drivers. It was open. The other 22K measured 49K. Happy dance*

The amp kicked my amp. It was the obvious and yet i suspected the worst case in transistor problems. It wasnt.
Amen! Shamalama Ding Dong  :worthy1: :worthy1: :worthy1:
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: Willabe on February 08, 2013, 09:28:22 pm
Yes but why was 1 open and the other had drifted to over double it's value?

Could be more going on?


             Brad     :dontknow:
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: plexi50 on February 08, 2013, 10:24:50 pm
Yes but why was 1 open and the other had drifted to over double it's value?

Could be more going on?


             Brad     :dontknow:

Good question. The PS caps have been changed recently so i suspect it may have been the old caps or bad power tubes in the past. They were 2 watt CC resistors
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: smackoj on February 08, 2013, 10:36:27 pm
Senor Plexi; well done and kudos on your success. when one succeeds, we all succeed.

 :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: Platefire on February 09, 2013, 12:25:08 am
Glad you got it!! Ye haw
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: plexi50 on February 09, 2013, 01:23:52 am
Senor Plexi; well done and kudos on your success. when one succeeds, we all succeed.

 :icon_biggrin:

Thats the truth. Ive been tinkering with electronics since 1971,mostly Ham & CB radio modifications as a kid. But this is a whole new bird in electronics. This is the most rewarding thing next to SX.  :think1:

Yehaw! Platefire! I have a Classic VT Series that i just brought in the house. When i get more time i want to fiddle with it and get it going. Maybe i can learn more about repairing these
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: Platefire on February 09, 2013, 11:59:52 pm
I've have a LANEY VH 100R head in that looses power but when you beat on it, it comes back. I'll be hollering for help when i open that up.  :w2: Plate
Title: Re: Peavey Deuce VT Series: UPDATE*
Post by: guitardude57 on February 10, 2013, 11:29:41 am
The Laney should be easier.  If it is IWT, (intermittent when tapped) sounds like a loose connector, part, or a bad solder spot.