Blown fuse in Hartke KM 200...fuse rating????-help!!!

[dk29mtl]

hi...I'm new here so please go easy on me.

I play bass through a Hartke KM200 amps that I inherited last year (yes i know it was marketed as a keyboard amp)

last week the tweeter stopped working and when I opened up the cabinet I notice inside on the circuit board that the small glass fuse was blown...I took it out to see if i could read the ratings and type to replace it ,however the fuse markings were not stamped so well (almost doubled stamped -so it's a mess)

I've also checked all my manuals and documentation...and on line and cannot find one single source of info in regards to rating and if it's a slow or fast burning fuse. I also contacted the distributer for Hartke in Canada and they told me to go to my Hartke dealer? I went and they could not read the markings either and to be honest didn't seem that interested.

Could someone guide me? please?

[RickenBoogie]

A blown fuse is a sign of other problems. Fuses are designed to protect the amp from more catostophic damage, so when one blows, the best course of action is a qualified amp tech, who can not only replace the blown fuse, but diagnois the root problem and fix it.

[dk29mtl]

hi RickenBoogie,

Truth is I think it happened when I accidentally disconnect the cab from the head while the power was still on...i had pulled out the jack and as I was doing it realized the amp was still on and quickly reinserted it...and think i was the one who caused the short

Before getting it serviced I just want to rule out the fuse issue in that I never had an issue with the amp until my careless mistake

[BassmanPaul]

i'm a little confused. If it is only the tweeter that's not working then the amp is fine. If the "fuse" came from within the speaker cabinet then it's probably a protection lamp that guards the tweeter circuit. In that case a simple call to Hartke's service department should garner you the correct part.

If the amp is not working at all then Rick's advice should be followed.

Edit: Canada is a big country and you have not filled out your profile properly. Where are you located???

[dk29mtl]

BassmanPaul...without the tweeter the amp sounds night and day different now-the tweeter added something to my sound

Keep in mind the woofer still works and I just assumed it was the blown fuse? I noticed on the circuit board located inside the cab that there were 2 fuses...1 large glass one that doesn't seem to be removable...and then a smaller one with the blown fuse. A matter of fact i tried the amp without the smaller fuse in the holder and the woofer part still works...just not the tweeter. So in my mind it was somehow related.

I was also directed to Hartke distributer in Quebec and they simply told me to take my amp to a dealer..honestly I now have the impression that Hartke support is not the greatest. I did email the US office in hopes of getting an answer ,but have no response so far. I'm just trying to avoid a costly service at a dealer for a simple fuse issue...hence why maybe the dealer didn't seem so interested to help since they now expect me to bring it in.

Also i'm located in montreal/quebec...like i said i'm new and didn't fill in my profile yet.

[B-string]

Those are lamps as Paul said not fuses. Hartke is your best bet as they know what they spec'ed for those tweets. Could be a 12V, 24V, 28V but the current draw is the key so just any lamp will not protect the tweeter properly. They will either glow or burn-out if the tweeter is over-driven to save the tweeter from burn-out.

[dk29mtl]

here is an image of what the "fuse" looks like...i took this from the net (not my fuse) but looks identical.

[rosskratter]

...waiting for Larry Hartke to pop in on this...

[B-string]

Most look like this http://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Crosso...pd_sim_sbs_e_1
There were old audio dial lamps that looked exactly like a fuse. Contact Hartke by email or phone. No one uses a fuse, they use bulbs as current limiters!

[dk29mtl]

you know...maybe you are on to something b-string..i had inherited this amp last year...and now i'm wondering if they had also replaced the "cross over lamp" with a regular fuse?

meanwhile I'm waiting for Larry Hartke to return my calls , worse case I will take it in for service and hopefully i won't lose my "shirt" over a fuse/bulb.

thanks for eveyones help...i really do appreciate it.

[B-string]

I have seen people use a 1 amp fuse in a pinch but that is a one shot deal. The lamps provide better over current protection without blowing from a quick transient.

[Cirk]

I'd expect a PM from Larry soon. He has a great reputation around here, and it's well deserved.

[B-string]

Sent him in a PM with Joe's number and email that Larry gave me a while back. Hopefully he will get the answer soon.

[dk29mtl]

Once again thanks to everyone especially to b-string

I will post the final outcome once i hear back from Hartke or the contact that was forwarded to me, so that there will be some record in the event that someone has the same issue in the future...again was so frustrating to try and find information on this topic...let alone a details parts list of some sort...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

oh...and you guys ROCK!!!

thanks

[dk29mtl]

and the official answer is...

T 1.6L 250V mini glass fuse ...also know as slow-buring. Again this is located inside the cab on the crossover circuit board, and relates to the tweeter surge/overload protection.

I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me work through this.

Hoepfully someone will find this info useful one day.

again thanks all.

[B-string]

Interesting they did use a slo-blo fuse! Good info.