PinkFloyd
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2009
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I fitted a couple of polypropelyne "ANSAR Supersound" capacitors in place of the metallised polycarbonate caps that were originally fitted in the Chiara.
I soldered the board back into the enclosure after cleaning the circuit with a toothbrush and isopropyl and inspecting with a magnifying glass.
Connected the PSU to the Chiarra and switched on...... the 2 polarity green LED's lit for a few seconds and then went out, as did the PSU. Both fuses blew and the area around R3 was truly cooked, R3 actually flew into the air a few inches and landed on the carpet
I phoned Shaun Williams and first off asked him if the caps I had fitted were suitable in the circuit and he said they were. I then explained that the PSU had partly fried and he reckons it could have been a short circuit between the PSU connections on the Chiarra board...... any Chiarra owner will know that the spacing between wires is very close and this is the weakest part of the design....... it was originally designed for an edge connector but is now wired with very little room between +/- V
Anyways...... to cut a long story short......... I inspected every part of the Chiarra for a short and couldn't find one. What is really concerning me is that Shaun said the amp could have been damaged also. If that proves the case I will be extremely peed off!!
Am I correct in assuming that a well designed PSU should "protect" the amp from any damage under short circuit conditions??? ("IF" that's what caused the PSU to fry) The PSU is a write off but the amp doesn't appear "visually" to have been damaged...... I attach a photo.
I'm was in a bit of shock and couldn't quite grasp what happened and quickly packed the amp and PSU into a box and sent it back to Shaun...... god I never thought a PSU blowing could make me feel sick to the pit of my stomach but this has
My question is (I'll be able to answer it myself when I awake from this nightmare!) if the amp had a short circuit between +/- V should the Andante fusing system have protected it? My other question is (I know the answer but I want to someone to tell me I'm asleep and dreaming!) with 2 fuses in the circuit why the hell did the section over at R3 turn into charcoal?
There is someone else here who experienced a "blackened" R3 but I've been dealt the full blow with a toasted R3. This should not occur in a well designed protection circuit should it?
I'm praying that the Chiarra is OK and hoping the Andante has absorbed all the damage....... I'll report back as soon as Shaun has had a look at the circuits but I'm pretty p*ssed off that more than the fuses "blew"
Comments appreciated.
Here is the pic of the Chiarra "after" the Andante blew. Physically it looks in good health? I won't upload a picture of the Andante until we get to the root of this.
Pinkie. <tongue tied and twisted just an earthbound misfit>
BTW........ what smart arse recommended ANSAR caps?
PS: The "Rock" is just a bit of Pink snake oil. It's Iron Pyrite (fools gold) and I believe it absorbs nasties like RFI / EMI it possibly fries PSU's too
crap this has been a bad day amp wise
I soldered the board back into the enclosure after cleaning the circuit with a toothbrush and isopropyl and inspecting with a magnifying glass.
Connected the PSU to the Chiarra and switched on...... the 2 polarity green LED's lit for a few seconds and then went out, as did the PSU. Both fuses blew and the area around R3 was truly cooked, R3 actually flew into the air a few inches and landed on the carpet
I phoned Shaun Williams and first off asked him if the caps I had fitted were suitable in the circuit and he said they were. I then explained that the PSU had partly fried and he reckons it could have been a short circuit between the PSU connections on the Chiarra board...... any Chiarra owner will know that the spacing between wires is very close and this is the weakest part of the design....... it was originally designed for an edge connector but is now wired with very little room between +/- V
Anyways...... to cut a long story short......... I inspected every part of the Chiarra for a short and couldn't find one. What is really concerning me is that Shaun said the amp could have been damaged also. If that proves the case I will be extremely peed off!!
Am I correct in assuming that a well designed PSU should "protect" the amp from any damage under short circuit conditions??? ("IF" that's what caused the PSU to fry) The PSU is a write off but the amp doesn't appear "visually" to have been damaged...... I attach a photo.
I'm was in a bit of shock and couldn't quite grasp what happened and quickly packed the amp and PSU into a box and sent it back to Shaun...... god I never thought a PSU blowing could make me feel sick to the pit of my stomach but this has
My question is (I'll be able to answer it myself when I awake from this nightmare!) if the amp had a short circuit between +/- V should the Andante fusing system have protected it? My other question is (I know the answer but I want to someone to tell me I'm asleep and dreaming!) with 2 fuses in the circuit why the hell did the section over at R3 turn into charcoal?
There is someone else here who experienced a "blackened" R3 but I've been dealt the full blow with a toasted R3. This should not occur in a well designed protection circuit should it?
I'm praying that the Chiarra is OK and hoping the Andante has absorbed all the damage....... I'll report back as soon as Shaun has had a look at the circuits but I'm pretty p*ssed off that more than the fuses "blew"
Comments appreciated.
Here is the pic of the Chiarra "after" the Andante blew. Physically it looks in good health? I won't upload a picture of the Andante until we get to the root of this.
Pinkie. <tongue tied and twisted just an earthbound misfit>
BTW........ what smart arse recommended ANSAR caps?
PS: The "Rock" is just a bit of Pink snake oil. It's Iron Pyrite (fools gold) and I believe it absorbs nasties like RFI / EMI it possibly fries PSU's too