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Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5777]

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:04

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. I just installed a three prong cord on my K200-B6 and it made the amp buzz more. I unhooked the ground loop from the chassis and the buzzing stopped (the buzzing sounded like when the power switch is in a reverse polarity mode that buzzes more, and I attached the ground loop to the cord wrap bolt on the back of the chassis). I have performed this exact same mod on my K200-A5 with no problems, which I find strange. Any ideas? Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5779 is a reply to message #5777]

Thu, 19 May 2005 08:29

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

If you did not use a pre-molded cord, open up the a/c plug end and reverse the black and white wires.

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5781 is a reply to message #5777]

Fri, 20 May 2005 00:56

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. I used a standard pre-molded 16/3 25 ft. cord I cut down to 20 ft. I disconnected the ground lug and taped it off because the buzzing was terrible. I also noticed when the switch is in the position that it is quieter in, I got shocked soemtimes, but when its in the other more noisy position, I don't get shocked at all; perhaps a correlation? Any ideas? Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5796 is a reply to message #5777]

Sun, 29 May 2005 17:29

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. Someone on the TDPRI forum reccomended this and it worked! Here's what he said:

"...look at your polarity switch on the Kustom and you will find a capacitor installed between a lug on the switch and ground. This cap was necessary when you didn't have the chassis ground installed to provide an AC ground path. With your chassis ground hooked up, it's causing a ground loop. Remove the cap, and reinstall your chassis ground. The cap serves no purpose with a proper chassis ground installed."

Just thought i'd pass that on. Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5815 is a reply to message #5777]

Sun, 05 June 2005 13:05

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. Perhaps I spoke too soon; the previously posted idea did work to an extent, but it still buzzes more than when it didn't have a grounded cord. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5816 is a reply to message #5777]

Sun, 05 June 2005 13:34

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello again. I actually just got an idea, would sheilding the head's cabinet help if there was a way to connect a chassis ground to the foil? Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5817 is a reply to message #5777]

Mon, 06 June 2005 08:36

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

No, that will not help, unfortunatly adding the grounded cord in these older amps for shock cures does nothing for noise or hum reduction when you lose the polarity change function.You may want to look into a isolation transformer from mouser sales or others. one that can handle 3 to 4 amps output will be about 60 bucks I think.

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5819 is a reply to message #5777]

Mon, 06 June 2005 18:16

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. What exactly is an isolation transformer? Is it similar to a power conditioner,I have of those. Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5821 is a reply to message #5777]

Tue, 07 June 2005 08:25

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

The transformer will uncouple the amp from any hum or buzzing that may be from grounding or polarity issues.

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5826 is a reply to message #5777]

Tue, 07 June 2005 11:59

voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004

Senior Member

Hello. Could you give me a part number for one? Also, do these mount inside the amp, or do you just plug the amp into them? I saw a couple diff styles on the web site, so just wondering. Thanks!

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Re: Grounded power cord buzz? [message #5828 is a reply to message #5777]

Tue, 07 June 2005 13:11

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

I will have to get back to you with a part number. They plug into the wall, then the amp goes to that.

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