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Pilot Lamp [message #10383]

Sat, 31 January 2009 11:44

Bill
Messages: 64
Registered: March 2002
Location: Kansas

Member

Just passing along something I ran into, while chasing serious hum in my K200's....I had totally recapped and checked the amp and still had a hum. Discovered someone had put in the wrong pilot lamp. Replaced it with the proper 1829 lamp, and cured it!
BillC

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10387 is a reply to message #10383]

Mon, 02 February 2009 06:14

stevem
Messages: 4796
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

What pointed you look towards the lamp as a sourse of hum?

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10392 is a reply to message #10387]

Mon, 02 February 2009 16:48

Bill
Messages: 64
Registered: March 2002
Location: Kansas

Member

Hi Steve,
Well, like I said, I had replaced all the usual suspects, and still had the hum, and told myself it was crazy, but knew it wasn't the right bulb, so stole one out of one of my other amps, and installed it--no hum. Baffled the doodle outta me, but who am I to argue with success? I don't remember what bulb was in there, unfortunatly (This was a few years ago), but I had ignored it until I had all the rest in good condition. It was the result of a "can't be---but what the heck?" moments....
BillC

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10795 is a reply to message #10392]

Wed, 15 April 2009 10:14

Shaun_Musings
Messages: 323
Registered: April 2009
Location: Reading, MA

Senior Member

Okay, where do I get a lamp replacement so I don't fall victim to this mysterious hum? For a K-400 =)

Shaun

Born on the Baaaaayou (Ok, in Massachusetts)

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10797 is a reply to message #10795]

Wed, 15 April 2009 12:35

Bill
Messages: 64
Registered: March 2002
Location: Kansas

Member

Shaun,
I bought mine at Mouser Electronics on the web. The other guys in the group weren't able to duplicate the weird situation with my pilot lamp episode, but I had done all the normal cap replacement, etc., and was about to pull out my hair when I decided to look at the lamp. These guys are really good with Kustoms and know what they are talking about (Steve, Conrad, Pleat, BC, ET, Chicago Bill, to name only a few right off the top of my head). They have helped me many times over. While you are ordering, get a pair of power caps, some contact cleaner for the pots, and replace the power cord with a three prong cord. See various posts for the parts sources. Note that over the last few years the size of the caps have become progressively smaller, to the point that I used pc caps that were only 1 1/2x1 inch, just zip tied them to the former mounts, and soldered the wires to them, instead of using the screw terminals, as with the old caps. Good Luck, and don't hesitate to ask someone if you need some info.
Bill Collins

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10811 is a reply to message #10797]

Wed, 15 April 2009 23:27

Shaun_Musings
Messages: 323
Registered: April 2009
Location: Reading, MA

Senior Member

Thanks for the info. Can't go wrong with you guys helping me do this. I noticed the lack of a ground wire for the K-200 that I have. When did they start doing that? I'm going to guess the late 70's early 80's?

Does replacing some of the old parts change the tonal quality of the amplifier? I know some people who have changed their speakers and they just don't sound... ya' know, quite the same...

Shaun

Born on the Baaaaayou (Ok, in Massachusetts)

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10814 is a reply to message #10383]

Thu, 16 April 2009 07:59

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

A lot of the collectors do replace filter caps and re cap their amps. I never have replaced any componets in my amps and they seem to work everytime I hit the power switch.
Speaker changes is more a personal taste. Sometimes the speakers are just shot and need replacement, then you have the option of trying different brands to see which tone is best for you. Just make sure you get the right impedance. I like the cheap Jensen Mod series, others may want Altec's or JBL's. The ground three wire was added with the first hard tolex kustom amps around 73/74. Adding the 3 wire ground power cable is the first thing I do to every kustom amp I have. Much safer. Just wire the same as the original and connect the green ground wire to the chassis.
pleat

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10832 is a reply to message #10814]

Fri, 17 April 2009 19:54

Shaun_Musings
Messages: 323
Registered: April 2009
Location: Reading, MA

Senior Member

I notice that mouser doesn't have a list of specific items for the Kustoms. What power cord will I need, exactly?

Shaun

Born on the Baaaaayou (Ok, in Massachusetts)

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10834 is a reply to message #10383]

Fri, 17 April 2009 20:36

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Just go to Wal-Mart and buy a 12' black appliance cord. Around 10.00 and looks a lot better than a orange extension cord. I just replaced the power cords on two kustom amps I just got a few weeks back. I start with the plug end between the cord wraps, and wind the cord so that I end up with the power plug about center when power cord is installed. Some times I have to cut off a little more cord but it wraps up nice and the plug can be tucked into the wraps, better than winding up with the plug right at a cord wrap.
Don

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10839 is a reply to message #10834]

Fri, 17 April 2009 21:19

Jc
Messages: 217
Registered: March 2000
Location: N.W. Chicago Suburb

Senior Member

Hey Don - That wrap trick is Kool - Thanks, jc

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10840 is a reply to message #10839]

Fri, 17 April 2009 23:39

C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...

Senior Member

Hoover steam cleaners have 3 wire grounded cords with a molded-in clip just like the Kustom cords. They are also about 15 feet long so they will be as useful as the original cords. They are more expensive but worth it. You need to find a Hoover service center or go online to order one (or more)!
Conrad

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Re: Pilot Lamp [message #10846 is a reply to message #10383]

Sat, 18 April 2009 23:42

Shaun_Musings
Messages: 323
Registered: April 2009
Location: Reading, MA

Senior Member

Yeah, I noticed the power cord doesn't like to stay. Get halfway up the stairs and it starts to unravel. Death trap. I think I'll grab a Wal-Mart cord, only because it's right down the street from my house. What about the pilot light? Which one is it from Mouser? =)

Shaun

Born on the Baaaaayou (Ok, in Massachusetts)

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