Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Justa on February 08, 2017, 05:14:47 pm

Title: Safe to Operate Fender Amp with Reverb Tank Disconnected?
Post by: Justa on February 08, 2017, 05:14:47 pm

Is it safe to operate a Fender amp with the reverb tank disconnected or will the reverb transformer get destroyed from high fly-back voltages the same as an output transformer without a speaker disconnected.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Safe to Operate Fender Amp with Reverb Tank Disconnected?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 08, 2017, 05:45:39 pm

In practice, it never seems to harm the amp or reverb transformer.

Title: Re: Safe to Operate Fender Amp with Reverb Tank Disconnected?
Post by: Justa on February 08, 2017, 05:58:46 pm

Thanks Hot Blues Plate,
I always wondered about this since the reverb transformer appears to be operated in a similar fashion to an output transformer.  I haven't heard of any blowing reverb transformers either but have seen posts in other forums recommending disconnecting the tank as part of a troubleshooting procedure and wondered if it was really safe.

Title: Re: Safe to Operate Fender Amp with Reverb Tank Disconnected?
Post by: sluckey on February 08, 2017, 06:34:41 pm

Just unplug the 12AT7 driver tube to eliminate any worries.

Title: Re: Safe to Operate Fender Amp with Reverb Tank Disconnected?
Post by: Justa on February 08, 2017, 07:08:59 pm

Thanks Sluckey