Please Help! Amps, Volts, and fuses.

[mezzyjezze]

I just blew 2 fuses and my power tubes look fine, I'm starting to get worried. Check this out guys, the back of my Tweaker 40 doesn't look like the panel in the owner's manual!

I blew the fuse that's underneath the AC power, not the Fast blow fuse to the left that ejects when fried. The fuses I had were rated at the ratings given in the owner's manual, but the writing on my amp is suggesting other ratings. What the heck is going on?? I live in America, should I not be using the amp in this country? All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[mezzyjezze]

Also, what does the T and AL mean?

 

[mezzyjezze]

No one has any ideas? Do people even use this forum?

 

[webrthomson]

T = Time Delayed (i.e. slo-blo)
A = amps

So you need a 3 amp 250 volt slo-blo fuse for your mains fuse - realistically I'd use what is printed on the amp, the manual looks like it might have changed over time, your amp should be right

EDIT: you also need to know the size of the fuse either 20mm or 30mm - I *think* the egnaters are 20mm (but you should check

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13233044

If in doubt take the fuse to radioshack - the type and size are written on the metal ends - and the guys will find you a pack.

Also input voltages are pretty much an average, the US is anything from 110 - 117 in the normal run of things. So if the amp says 115 or 120 you are pretty much okay!

 

[mezzyjezze]

Thanks so much!
I knew A would mean amps but AL was really throwing me off...
And the VAC numbers were confusing me since it looks like it's running at 115 VAC which I assume is volts, but the fuse is supposed to be 250 volts..... I don't know much about electricity.

The scary thing was that the fuse I took out of my amp was what the manual recommended - 3.15
But it looks like my amp wants a 3 amp fuse. I hope that's not a big enough difference for it to have been causing problems. I'll go with what my amp says, a 3 amp fuse.
Thanks again

 

[bruce egnater]

USA uses 3A while the Euro rating is 3.15A. They are interchangeable. It is a Slo-blo type. If it blows right at turn on, there is a problem inside that will need to be repaired. The manual was written quite a while ago. Europe continually changes specifications and panel labels to the point where we can't realistically print a new manual every time they decide to change a label. Sorry for the confusion. If you do need service, contact blad@egnateramps.com

Thanks
Bruce

 

[webrthomson]

USA uses 3A while the Euro rating is 3.15A. They are interchangeable. It is a Slo-blo type. If it blows right at turn on, there is a problem inside that will need to be repaired. The manual was written quite a while ago. Europe continually changes specifications and panel labels to the point where we can't realistically print a new manual every time they decide to change a label. Sorry for the confusion. If you do need service, contact blad@egnateramps.com

Thanks
Bruce

From the man himself

No problems, let us know how you get on! Like Bruce says if you change the fuse and it goes again when you turn on get the amp checked out as something has gone internally. At that point it's time for a amp tech to look at it!

 

[mezzyjezze]

Wow, I'm honored. I love your amp Bruce! I guess I'll get Blad to check it out.

 

[mezzyjezze]

OK this worked the first time, let's see if posting here will work again.
Fuses blow immediately upon power up.
I talked with a well trusted repairman who says Egnater amps are having an epidemic with their power conditioners, in the last month he's had 3 people come in with Egnater amps with that problem. He suggests buying a Mercury power transformer, which are expensive but more trustworthy (to him) than the Egnater model.

He also suggested that I take this issue to Egnater, as my amp may still be under warranty. However, it's been 10 days and I haven't heard a peep from Blad. Maybe I'm being too impatient, but is there really only one guy in the whole company that handles customer tech help? Just in case I can get any answers here, my serial number is TWK40-08111044 any way to see if it's still under warranty?

Someone warned me about this problem, I told them they were full of s***, I still think it's a solid amp and you're a solid company but I would really address this problem if I were you. The cat is out of the bag, you can ignore it or address it!