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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!  (Read 2518 times)

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Offline jalexquijano

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1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« on: October 27, 2017, 03:42:30 pm »
Im experiencing a loud hum whenever i turn my 1990 Fender red knob twin standby switch off. This only happens when the amp is cold and has not been used for last couple of hours? Just to mention all of the Illinois branded filter caps were replaced in both the power section and the preamp section including the bias filter cap. Should i call my tech to solve this or can i fix it myself? The loud hum just lasts 20 secs. After that the noise starts to decrease and goes back to normal operation.

Just to mention i bought the Illinois preamp filters from Hoffman amps!

 Any clues???

Offline PRR

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Re: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2017, 07:57:56 pm »
Are the bias caps installed backward?

Offline 92Volts

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Re: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2017, 01:27:24 pm »
Note with bias caps, the + end is connected to ground because it's storing/smoothing negative voltage within the bias supply... different from most other caps where the - end is connected to ground. PRR likely noted them because they're easy to install backwards for this reason.

In this schematic: http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/fender/the_twin.gif which I think is right for your amp, both C305 and C282 are involved in the bias supply.

In general, it sounds like something is taking a while to fully charge/stabilize in the power supply. There could be tons of reasons... but during a cap replacement job, the changes which might introduce new problems are improperly installed caps. Backwards, too small, faulty, or not soldered in correctly.

Was it doing this before the cap replacement, and you hoped the replacement would fix it, or is it new?

Offline sluckey

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Re: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2017, 01:32:26 pm »
Bias caps installed backwards would not likely cause a loud hum that just lasts 20 secs and then play normally.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline 92Volts

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Re: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2017, 01:35:02 pm »
Bias caps installed backwards would not likely cause a loud hum that just lasts 20 secs and then play normally.

Yeah it might be more like a hum for 20 seconds followed by an explosion  :icon_biggrin:

Offline sluckey

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Re: 1990 Red Knob twin Hum when standby off!
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2017, 01:41:08 pm »
...and then melting glass!  :icon_biggrin:
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

 


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