Have I just broken my amp head?

HunterBurgan4Me · #1 02-14-2013, 12:32 PM

I just drove about three hours to pick up a new ampeg svt7 pro amp head, I tried it out at the guys house and it was all fine, I brought it back home (another three hours) plugged it in but neglected to see that during the journey the switch that selected what voltage of mains power that goes into the amp from the kettle lead had been flicked to the wrong setting.

So I plugged it into the wall blindly and flicked the on switch and the amp made a loud popping sound and turned off. I unplugged it and smelled smoke coming out of the back.

Have I just broken my amp? Because I think i'm going to cry at my own stupidity o.O

nuts-n-bolts · #2 02-14-2013, 12:36 PM

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in, but I would think that there would be a fuse that would blow before a catastrophic failure happens.

HunterBurgan4Me · #3 02-14-2013, 12:38 PM

I hope so, my spirits sank when I smelt the smoke

B-string · #4 02-14-2013, 12:43 PM

50/50? I know someone here hooked up a G-K micro from the US to 220VAC and the fuse blew. Replaced the fuse and set it to proper voltage and all was good.

Downunderwonder · #5 02-14-2013, 12:45 PM

Sounds like the fuse only stopped it from catching fire. Bummer.

HunterBurgan4Me · #6 02-14-2013, 12:55 PM

Ah...

well there's a lesson I'll never forget.

Seems i'm out by £475 with little hope of upgrading my gear. Touché intelligence.

If anyone has a magical solution that would be lovely.

I'll get the fuse changed anyway just to doublecheck.

**CL400Peavey** · #7 02-14-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

Ah...

well there's a lesson I'll never forget.

Seems i'm out by £475 with little hope of upgrading my gear. Touché intelligence.

If anyone has a magical solution that would be lovely.

I'll get the fuse changed anyway just to doublecheck.

Failing that, take it to a amp tech. Maybe the repair is worth it?

B-string · #8 02-14-2013, 01:00 PM

Fingers crossed the fuse did it's job before anything other than a little over-heat took place!

HunterBurgan4Me · #9 02-14-2013, 01:26 PM

Does anyone know whether I can just take it to my local music shop or whether I need to find a professional

B-string · #10 02-14-2013, 01:33 PM

The fuse is inside so anyone capable of opening the amp case and working inside it should be okay.

Megas3300 · #11 02-14-2013, 01:37 PM

If the fuse didn't do its job, then you may have taken something out in the power supply section. Worst case is a power trans, which isn't too huge relative to the cost of the amp.

**mjac28** · #12 02-14-2013, 01:39 PM

I hope this works out man that sucks it should be a fuse I'm sure Ampeg thought that something like that could happen?.

Bassmec · #13 02-14-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

Does anyone know whether I can just take it to my local music shop or whether I need to find a professional

What does your local music shop do when it's not being professional?.
What nobody here can guess is, was the amp set to 110 and plugged in a 240 outlet. If so you will have done some damage if it was set to 240 and you plugged it into 110 you won't have done much damage.

Anyway it doesn't work so its tech time, try finding one that isn't a semi pro comedian.

Downunderwonder · #14 02-14-2013, 01:55 PM

50p fuse if you're lucky. DIY.

Power supply section shouldn't cost too much to have fixed. Not your average music store job.

HunterBurgan4Me · #15 02-14-2013, 02:05 PM

unfortunately it was set to 110 and plugged into 240... balls.

One of music shops near me has a history of being crap, i'll ring the ampeg people and then ring a better music shop and see if they say the same things as the ampeg people and if they do then I'll take to them and if not I'll send it to a specialist.

Absolutely hilarious my friend

Downunderwonder · #16 02-14-2013, 03:16 PM

There may be some Pommies contributing to the recommended tech thread.

Downunderwonder · #17 02-14-2013, 03:18 PM

Good amp techs! good luck.

nuts-n-bolts · #18 02-14-2013, 03:50 PM

Best of luck trying to get someone at Ampeg (LOUD technologies now). I've sat on hold, on multiple occasions, for ages.

...sorry to be a downer. I hope for your sake it's a simple fuse issue.

T-Bird · #19 02-14-2013, 08:28 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmec

What nobody here can guess is, was the amp set to 110 and plugged in a 240 outlet. If so you will have done some damage if it was set to 240 and you plugged it into 110 you won't have done much damage.

Well, the kettle lead and £ may give us a clue

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBurgan4Me

unfortunately it was set to 110 and plugged into 240... balls.

Been there, done that (with other than Ampeg 110/120V equipment) and IMLE You popped the filter caps.

Tech time in any case.

Regards
Sam

Baird6869 · #20 02-14-2013, 09:04 PM

Dude, that sucks.... BUT... This isn't a dumbass screwup. It could have happened to anyone. I bet very few people would check the voltage selector before plugging in.

Still bites, but don't stress too much!