Need help wiyh Hartke LH 500

ejmy · #1 10-10-2010, 07:24 AM

Hello everybody

Bought a new LH 500 that I pulled out of the factory box yesterday, and after triying it out for the first time, I have 2 concerns about the amp.

First is that I only get sound to the cab 20 secondes or so after switching the power button on. The manual says 3 secondes, so I'm afraid that there is something wrong here.

Secondly, the fan gets very noisy at times, Loud enough to have the whole gang in the studio searching for the funny noise, so I'm wondering if there is a higher fan speed that turns on when the amp gets hot ? TRhre is no mention about that in the manual.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for the replies.

atheos · #2 10-10-2010, 07:51 AM

3 seconds? No way. My LH500 takes about 10-15 seconds. I wouldn't worry about that.

Can't say anything about the fan, though. I've never noticed any noise. Well, I've probably never went below 85dBs with my LH500 + 410 so it could be because of that...

username1 · #3 10-10-2010, 08:15 AM

It takes time for any amp with a tube in it to warm the tube up to operating temperature.

JimmyM · #4 10-10-2010, 08:46 AM

ya, no issues. the wait time is normal for amps with a tube, and the fan noise...who cares? can't hear it when you play.

DWBass · #5 10-10-2010, 09:05 AM

Call Larry Hartke.

frankieg · #6 10-10-2010, 09:08 AM

I never really timed mine on startup, I have the LH1000 BTW, but I can tell you it's more than 3 seconds for sure. The LH1000 has 3 fans in it that aren't really loud. Never used it in a studio setting...yet. Tomorrow will be the first time for that putting down all the bass tracks for Richard Spina's (of Herman's Hermit's) new solo C.D. Now I'm kinda curious how it's gonna sound. I can report back. Either way, if you have any concerns at all, Give Larry a call. Don't think I've met anyone like him in this business. Super great guy and more than willing to field calls about concerns or whatever.
(201) 680-8153

ejmy · #7 10-10-2010, 11:15 AM

for the replies.
Conclusion is that the delayed time for the actual powering of the amp is not an issue. Still, Hartke should remove the 3 second delay in the manual. I have a Peavey T-Max that powers up instantly even when the tube pre amp is on, so I just wanted to make shure it wasn't defective.

About the fan issue, I will call Larry and see what he thinks about it.

Thanks again

parsons · #8 10-10-2010, 11:21 AM

def dont worry about the tube... my SWR hybrid takes about 10 seconds to warm up the 12AX7...

Billnc · #9 10-10-2010, 11:26 AM

My fan is dead quiet. I had an HA7000 where the fan was not studio quiet.

BillyIVbass · #10 10-10-2010, 11:37 AM

It's normal that is takes time to get sound from when you power it on. I usually turn the amp on and while it's warming up is when I plug in my cable. (Multi-tasking at its finest, you're welcome TB readers!)

I've only ever heard my fan come on a handful of times.

1) Is there anything blocking the back of the amp?
2) Is there anything blocking that air filter in the front which sadly isn't a bottle opener?
3) Is your amp for no good reason in a corner or against a wall when it could be more in the center of the room getting better airflow?

Larry Hartke · #11 10-10-2010, 12:22 PM

Ejmy,

Your startup time is normal for the tube preamp. Yes the manual is cutting it a bit close at 3 seconds, I'll check on that. The fans on the LH-series amplifiers are pretty quiet, I've not heard a complaint about them and you usually do get complaints on any fans (especially in the studio) it's the nature of fans. The LH series are the quietest amplifiers we've made so your fans really shouldn't be noisy. But one mans noisy is another mans quiet so give me a call if you feel that something is not right and I'll be happy to help you out! 201-680-8153 Cell

ejmy · #12 10-10-2010, 12:28 PM

Thanks for your suggestions Billy IV, but as described in my first message, the amp came out the original factory box yesterday, so the filter will never be any cleaner than now, And absolutly nothing is interfeering with the air intake in front nor is the amp in a corner preventing it from an adequate enviroment. In fact, the amp is in a new, climate controled studio.

The fan runs quietly for a while, but then makes a pretty loud noise, also for a while, enough to question about. That's why I was wondering if there was a device that switches it to a higher speed if the amp gets too hot.
Thanks again and ignore any misspelling, english is not my primary language.

ejmy · #13 10-10-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hartke

Ejmy,

Your startup time is normal for the tube preamp. Yes the manual is cutting it a bit close at 3 seconds, I'll check on that. The fans on the LH-series amplifiers are pretty quiet, I've not heard a complaint about them and you usually do get complaints on any fans (especially in the studio) it's the nature of fans. The LH series are the quietest amplifiers we've made so your fans really shouldn't be noisy. But one mans noisy is another mans quiet so give me a call if you feel that something is not right and I'll be happy to help you out! 201-680-8153 Cell

Thanks Larry. you live up to your reputation. And because of that, I choosed to buy a Hartke product.

I will call you, but only after I'm shure that the fan is defective. I need to try it out more to pinpoint the problem. I find it very quiet, quieter than most amps I've owned, It's just that it turns loud after using the amp for awhile, then runs smoothly again. Sounds like a squeaky bearing.

Thanks again

Larry Hartke · #14 10-10-2010, 01:03 PM

ejmy.

No problem, we can replace the fan if you like, it shouldn't squeak. Just let me know!

ejmy · #15 10-10-2010, 02:52 PM

will do

skychaserhigh · #16 10-10-2010, 03:10 PM

Just got back from seeing Billy Sheehan at bass day with his Hartke rig. Sounded awesome as ever , said he has a few things to tweak but still an immense sound with the LH1000 amp !!

Metalian · #17 11-01-2010, 07:44 AM

Yeah. Billy rocks! I've been there too, and it was me asking him about his LH1000. Sweet sweet day it was!

devonhealth · #18 12-31-2010, 03:04 PM

My LH1000 has started cutting out after about 1 or 2 minutes into a first song in a session. It just dies. After about 15 seconds or more, it comes back on. What gives with this!!! This has been happening regularly now, kind of unnerving when all of a sudden dead silence from the bass................

Larry Hartke · #19 12-31-2010, 04:30 PM

devonhealth,

Your LH-1000 should not be cutting in and out, please give my service manager Joe Antonelli a call on Monday 1-800-328-2882. Joe will get you up and running. If you need further help I'm right here. 201-680-8153 Thanks for playing Hartke!

Kawai-chang · #20 12-31-2010, 04:55 PM

Larry, you're a good feller.