[Lindholdt]

I totally got cought by the idea of modding my Xduoo TA-26 tube amplifier, and yesterday I unplugged it for a few hours and then I disassembled it.
Not until I was almost done, I realized that maybe som of the components in it could be dangerous
Searching Google scared the crap out of me, and now I'm not sure if it's safe to finish this mod, or if I should just leave the amplifier as it is.
The plan is just to take it apart, paint the chassis, replace the volume knob and tube guards and then reassemble it.
Won't do it if it's dangerous, but as I, obviously, don't know very much about the electronics inside the amp, I'm not sure it it's okay to continue or not?

So please, help me not hurt myself by accident

 

[Falcon 4 0]

From my experience, I'm a diyer with quite a bit of xp, no trained electrician,
it is safe when the power caps are discharged.

 

[Lindholdt]

From my experience, I'm a diyer with quite a bit of xp, no trained electrician,
it is safe when the power caps are discharged.

But I haven't discharged them. Can I just wait a few more days, and then it will be safe?

 

[Falcon 4 0]

Do you have a Multimeter?

 

[megabigeye]

But I haven't discharged them. Can I just wait a few more days, and then it will be safe?

I'd play it safe. Get a multimeter and check if they're still holding a charge. Google how to safely discharge them.

 

[Falcon 4 0]

You need a electrical consumer.
Depending on the construction of the amp, you can try when running the amp with source and cans to disconnect the power cable, leaving the amp on. If then the music gets quieter till silence, then the caps are empty. Dors not work with every amp.

 

[Lindholdt]

I'd play it safe. Get a multimeter and check if they're still holding a charge. Google how to safely discharge them.

Will give that a try, thanks

You need a electrical consumer.
Depending on the construction of the amp, you can try when running the amp with source and cans to disconnect the power cable, leaving the amp on. If then the music gets quieter till silence, then the caps are empty. Dors not work with every amp.

I've already taken it apart, so I can't connect it again. Its a shame, as I know for sure that it will empty the caps if I keep playing music after I switch it off

 

[bagwell359]

They do dissipate, usually inside of 24 hrs. Tube equipment works with much higher voltages than SS, though mega caps in SS amps can get u good too.

The multi tester method is the safest. If you dont have one can wait say 72 hrs, and then do a thick screwdriver across both + & - (make dang sure you are not touching the screwdriver metal or the caps) and be ready for the possibility of a very loud noise, and your screwdriver getting arc'd but that's not likely - still I wouldn't do it on purpose.

 

[Falcon 4 0]

They do dissipate, usually inside of 24 hrs. Tube equipment works with much higher voltages than SS, though mega caps in SS amps can get u good too.

The multi tester method is the safest. If you dont have one can wait say 72 hrs, and then do a thick screwdriver across both + & - (make dang sure you are not touching the screwdriver metal or the caps) and be ready for the possibility of a very loud noise, and your screwdriver getting arc'd but that's not likely - still I wouldn't do it on purpose.

Plz use a Multimeter, I did the screwdriver method accidentally
I do not recommend it. It was scary

 

[Falcon 4 0]

Will give that a try, thanks

I've already taken it apart, so I can't connect it again. Its a shame, as I know for sure that it will empty the caps if I keep playing music after I switch it off

Oohh, really bad...

 

[megabigeye]

Will give that a try, thanks

I've already taken it apart, so I can't connect it again. Its a shame, as I know for sure that it will empty the caps if I keep playing music after I switch it off

You know it drains the caps because it keeps playing music for a few seconds after you turn it off?
You could probably discharge them by plugging in your headphones and turning the power switch on. I don't think it needs to be attached to any source, or anything.
Even still, I think you should get a multimeter to make sure.

If this all seems too much for you, you could probably call a local electronics repair center and they could do it for you in about two minutes. Often HiFi shops will have a repair center that they use, if they don't do it in-house themselves.

 

[Lindholdt]

Thanks all
I do have a multimeter somewhere, and I will dig that out and figure out how to discharge them, don't want to risk anything.
And if it won't work, I'll find someone locally