Hartke LH500 sound issues at startup

[Clashcat33]

Had a charity gig at the weekend with a couple of other guy's using my gear, at turn on the volume appeared to be poor, or non existing for 30 seconds or so. Eventually volume came up and performed as expected. Could this be a tube issue, I have never replaced is since new.....2010. Thanks

 

[Clashcat33]

Second question, would using the DI effect sound to the cabs, I guess not....but..

 

[agedhorse]

First question, it COULD be the tube, but it could be other things as well. The first thing to try is jumping from the effects send to effects return with a short cable.

Second question, no.

 

[Clashcat33]

Thanks for this, trying to replicate the issue without success at the moment, have had the top off and made sure all contacts are secure, should I have this issue again and linking the effects loop cures it, what is it telling me. Thanks

 

[agedhorse]

That the switch inside the effects return jack wasn’t seated, usually cycling a plug in the jack resolves the issue for good.

Are you sure it wasn’t a speaker cable? Start with the simplest things first, don’t mess w it eh things you don’t understand.

 

[Clashcat33]

Pretty new jack to speakon cable's, but don't have a cable checker...
Have ordered a Tube anyway, only £22, so can always be a spare if it doesn't play up again.
Thanks for advice, I won't mess with it

 

[agedhorse]

Be sure the plugs are genuine Neutrik brand and not Chinese knock-off plugs which have proven to be problematic.

 

[portpc]

I used to have that amp and there was always a delay when powered on. I recall reading somewhere that was normal for that model?

 

[Axtman]

I had one of those amps. It did not start right away because the tube was warming up.

 

[agedhorse]

The warmup delay should be between 10-15 seconds maximum.

 

[Clashcat33]

As I said, I have had this amp for many years, so this was an unusual event at the weekend, I am aware of the usual start up time's and volumes, I have new cabs with new speaker cable's, so am wondering if the speakon connection is not all it should be.

 

[mikenyc]

I use one of those every week at a church — I always have a delay, as the tube warms up I assume. I do other things during that time but either 10 or 30 seconds both seem like they could be in range. Any problems once you had volume? The one I use has been reliable (x 6 months) once it gets going.

 

[eniac]

Was the AC power at the outlet you plugged your amp into within spec or at least "sane"?

 

[Clashcat33]

Was the AC power at the outlet you plugged your amp into within spec or at least "sane"?

No idea......

 

[eniac]

No idea......

Then further troubleshooting is pointless, because you'd be proceeding on the basis of a possibly-false assumption.

 

[dbase]

I used to have that model amp and if Im correct, you could hear a relay click when it was ready to play.

 

[Clashcat33]

Yes, get the relay click, and as previously stated, I am unable to replicate the issue now I'm back home. However I am going to get the Speakon cables checked.

 

[Axtman]

Yes, you are correct. There is a relay in this amp.

 

[Clashcat33]

What I would be interested to know is what the symptoms are of a failing Tube.

 

[agedhorse]

There are many possible symptoms.