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SWR SM-400 S cooling fan issue

May 11, 2014
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Hi...not sure if this is the correct place for this but I dug out my SM-400S recently and noticed a "pulsating" sound coming from the fan...which isn't turning. I can turn the fan blades by hand but its very rough. Assuming that it needs to be replaced...is this a simple fix or is a tech required?
Know any qualified techs in the Los Angeles area?
Thanx, Alby
 
What's the model number of the fan that's on it now? You will need that info to determine the flow and static pressure, the voltage and current/power. All of these factor into how the fan works. Since these amps tend to run hot, and because it's important.

There were 3 different models of this amp, the first didn't have a fan and had problems driving 4 ohm loads in bridge mode, The second version built after Sept 1993 (may have been labeled 400S) used a 24V fan (I'm pretty sure but not positive which is why you need to double-check) wired 1/2-wave to a lower voltage tap on the transformer's main rail coil, some just switched on and off but some were low speed/high speed. The third version, which was during the Fender era (labeled Corona, CA) and were generally SM-500's BUT there may have been some with this power module released as SM-400, using a 24V fan driven by a proportional speed control circuit. These are the trickiest of all to match, since the control circuit and the fan's performance curves need to match up fairly closely.

Note also that some original SM-400's were factory modified with a fan being added, these would have been done differently because there wasn't the lower voltage tap present.

First step... get the fan model that's on there.
 
@agedhorse is like Spock ; I trust his opinion more than other people's facts.
Well, I am cheating a little bit. I worked under Fender for a few years and spent some time working with the SWR products. My indirect supervisor was the "re-designer" of Fender's SWR SM-400/500 version with the proportional control fan so I'm fairly familiar with it.

If you can find the original fan model number (it should be on the fan), I should be able to find you the current correct replacement.
 
Well, I am cheating a little bit. I worked under Fender for a few years and spent some time working with the SWR products. My indirect supervisor was the "re-designer" of Fender's SWR SM-400/500 version with the proportional control fan so I'm fairly familiar with it.

If you can find the original fan model number (it should be on the fan), I should be able to find you the current correct replacement.
I need to bring my SM400 to you. The power side works but the preamp side doesn't.
 
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Well, I am cheating a little bit. I worked under Fender for a few years and spent some time working with the SWR products. My indirect supervisor was the "re-designer" of Fender's SWR SM-400/500 version with the proportional control fan so I'm fairly familiar with it.

If you can find the original fan model number (it should be on the fan), I should be able to find you the current correct replacement.

Here it is...
upload_2022-11-9_10-18-23.jpeg
 

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