Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: labb on July 20, 2018, 09:39:19 am

Title: E cap broken lead...
Post by: labb on July 20, 2018, 09:39:19 am

Do you guys support your e caps with RTV? I asked because I just had to repair the first e cap in an AB 763 that I built. The e cap lead had broken right at the solder joint. I know that a lot of manufacturers do this.This is the first time I have had the problem. (Out of some dozen or more amps that I have built)

Title: Re: E cap broken lead...
Post by: sluckey on July 20, 2018, 09:47:00 am

Look at this recent discussion...

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=23498.msg252762#msg252762

I like to use round nose pliers to bend leads. Never had a problem.

Title: Re: E cap broken lead...
Post by: labb on July 20, 2018, 10:24:06 am

Thanks Steve. I always do long radius bends, usually with my fingers. This one broke right at the solder joint of the eyelet..I wonder if I got it too hot and made the lead brittle. Who knows..By the way this is the your AB763 Delux lite that I built. Guy that plays it absolutely loves it. Plays it ahead of a HRD and several other amps that he has.

Title: Re: E cap broken lead...
Post by: rake on July 21, 2018, 07:53:55 am

Heating copper actually anneals it. Quenching or slow cooling after makes no difference.

Copper "work hardens". Even vibration will harden it.

Title: Re: E cap broken lead...
Post by: pompeiisneaks on July 23, 2018, 03:58:46 pm

Sometimes it just comes down to a manufacturing defect.  It may have just been a dud that required 2 bends to make it break :D

~Phil

Title: Re: E cap broken lead...
Post by: jjasilli on July 23, 2018, 07:27:04 pm

I use silicone glue or spongy double stick tape - never had a problem.