High score Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) I think I have seen this posted elsewhere but can't find it. Have a problem with my Ampeg SVT6-PRO. This amp has hardly been used and just over a year old (shameful isn't it) and it seems to trip fuses when it is fired up. I strongly suspect it has such a high current draw on start up due to the caps inside that it is acting like a dead short. Once running, it can be switched off / on normally. Issue only seems to occur when fired up for the first time. I should add it is not the amp internal fuse that is going but either the cable or the house mains (pretty sensitive) Anyone got any ideas? Do I have a problem with the amp? I also remember seeing a unit that could be placed in line for high draw equipment to prevent this - anyone point me in the right direction? Help appreciated.............. Edited April 28, 2009 by High score Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) [quote name='High score' post='468230' date='Apr 21 2009, 11:09 AM']I think I have seen this posted elsewhere but can't find it. Have a problem with my Ampeg SVT6-PRO. This amp has hardly been used and just over a year old (shameful isn't it) and it seems to trip fuses when it is fired up. I strongly suspect it has such a high current draw on start up due to the caps inside that it is acting like a dead short. Once running, it can be switched off / on normally. Issue only seems to occur when fired up for the first time. Anyone got any ideas? Do I have a problem with the amp? I also remember seeing a unit that could be placed in line for high draw equipment to prevent this - anyone point me in the right direction? Help appreciated..............[/quote] Yes, someone here built himself a surge protector for not a lot. The only active component is a NTC thermistor, such as [url="http://uk.farnell.com/epcos/b57237s109m/thermistor-ntc-1r-9a/dp/1688801"]http://uk.farnell.com/epcos/b57237s109m/th...r-9a/dp/1688801[/url] Edited April 21, 2009 by bremen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High score Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 [quote name='bremen' post='468245' date='Apr 21 2009, 11:21 AM']Yes, someone here built himself a surge protector for not a lot. The only active component is a NTC thermistor, such as [url="http://uk.farnell.com/epcos/b57237s109m/thermistor-ntc-1r-9a/dp/1688801"]http://uk.farnell.com/epcos/b57237s109m/th...r-9a/dp/1688801[/url][/quote] input much appreciated but this is crap if I have to protect the system from itself!! You come across this before? Worth having a chat with the importer? Sound Control closed now so can't go back to the shop any more........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 [quote name='High score' post='468257' date='Apr 21 2009, 11:27 AM']input much appreciated but this is crap if I have to protect the system from itself!! You come across this before? Worth having a chat with the importer? Sound Control closed now so can't go back to the shop any more...........[/quote] I know what you mean. But it's a big amp, and takes a big surge that some house electrics are just a bit over-sensitive to. The guy who built the device had problems with it tripping the fuse at his rehearsal room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High score Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 [quote name='bremen' post='468263' date='Apr 21 2009, 11:33 AM']I know what you mean. But it's a big amp, and takes a big surge that some house electrics are just a bit over-sensitive to. The guy who built the device had problems with it tripping the fuse at his rehearsal room.[/quote] You are right, it is a seriously powerful amp, I use to use very high powered pa gear and in some venues it had to be turned on very carefully and in stages to protect the house system from falling down. Ok when running but problematic on startup. I do know that my home has an electronic consumer unit and is pretty sensitive so perhaps that's all it is. If it was the unit itself I would have thought the internal fuse would go if it was a true short and when running normally the amp is fine - fan noise apart . I have seen a link on this site for a unit that protects against excessive draw in start up but I can't find it. I remember it staged the current draw but can't find the link. Thanks again for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High score Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) found the thread I was looking for - looks like I am not the only one to have surge issues with AMPEG SVT6PRO [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=33872&hl=ampeg"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=33872&hl=ampeg[/url] and link for the unit itself.......... [url="http://www.canford.co.uk/ProductResources/ig/1916.pdf"]http://www.canford.co.uk/ProductResources/ig/1916.pdf[/url] might give them a call.............. just called, depot only three miles from me but downside is £72 +vat, might be a good investment cos this amp tripping out is driving me nuts........... Edited April 21, 2009 by High score Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I think the DB750 used to have a habit of doing this too. I guess you could also place a high power resistor inline with the power cable and then bypass it once you've got over the start-up surge. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High score Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 (edited) [quote name='alexclaber' post='470958' date='Apr 23 2009, 05:39 PM']I think the DB750 used to have a habit of doing this too. I guess you could also place a high power resistor inline with the power cable and then bypass it once you've got over the start-up surge. Alex[/quote] Thanks Alex, input appreciated. Here is the followup: I tried the 'Canford Current Inrush' unit (see link previously) but it didn't work at all so I wouldn't recommend it for this amp issue. I can't complain about Canford, great to deal with and they have taken the unit back. I traced the original design engineer in the US who developed the SVT6-PRO (he no longer works for Ampeg). He and Ampeg knew all about the problem and suggested it was even worse in the UK because of the 240v/ 13amp sytem we use here. He can provide a small circuit board that carries the correctly rated thermistor mentioned previously and installation instructions (but obviously recommends it being performed by a qualified engineer) I have contacted both Ampeg US/ UK and they simply don't want to know. It is a well known issue but not deemed to be a fault so not covered under any goodwill or warranty. When I suggested that if they bought a new high priced TV set and it tripped out every time it was switched on, would be acceptable? They had nothing to say. I should add at this point the Customer Services contact in the US was personally great to deal with and responded promptly when he had sourced info. The only option I have is to take it to the importers recommended repair shop in Leeds and pay around £100 for the upgrade to be carried out. When I contacted the repairer and mentioned the amp, the first response was ''tripping out on switch on or output stage sir?''. They knew all about the problem as well. Like a lot of people I bought this gear cos I liked the sound and had seen the brand on too many stages to ignore it. It is unlikely I am going to get any help from Ampeg or Loud (importers) but I can't see me buying any more Ampeg gear again in a hurry. Unfortunately this Company seems to think issuing a beta development model to the street is ok.......... Well, that is my major rant over with and feel a whole lot better now....................................... Edited April 28, 2009 by High score Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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