| How hot should the amp head get? [message #6658] |
Mon, 20 February 2006 09:13  |
KustomKyle
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2006
|
Junior Member |
|
|
|
I just replaced the speakers in my cabinet. I had a discussion going that I could wire 2 8-ohm 15" speakers in Parallel, and it would work out fine (based on the model number and the serial number, the head is a '66 K-200). When I replaced the speakers, I noticed that the speakers had been wired in series. I think they were the original speakers, but it looks like they were re-wired at some point because the wiring looked really 2nd rate, and there were about 4 different sizes and colors of wire in there as well. Anyway - the amp is MUCH louder and sounds MUCH better now. However, after playing it for a while, I noticed that the back of the amp is getting a little hot. I'm still able to touch it (and keep my hand on it) without burning my hand, so it's not terribly hot. I never thought to do this with the old speaker configuration, so I have nothing to compare it to....is the amp heating up in the back normal? I just don't want to blow the amp up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
| Re: How hot should the amp head get? [message #6659 is a reply to message #6658] |
Mon, 20 February 2006 10:36  |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
|
Senior Member |
|
|
If the 2 speakers were wired in series, then the impedance would cause the amp to put out lower power than 2 speakers wired in parallel. 2-8 ohm speakers in series would be 16 ohms and the same speakers in parallel would be 4 ohms. The amp would work much harder with the parallel arrangment and put out more sound also. That is the result you saw and heard. That is normal. Now for the qustion I can't answer. I believe the amp you have, with the mesh transistor cover, is a Frankenstein model, 595, 795 etc. model numbers. That I think was an 8 ohm amp. The 2 speakers in the cabinet would have been 16 ohm speakers in parallel. Series connections on their own are not a good idea. If 1 speaker were to fail, then both would not work. The 4 ohm connection might be a little low for a Frank but, if the amp sounds good and is not so hot as to fry your hand, I think you are OK. Later models, K200A and B units were 4 ohm rated and could handle 2 cabinets with ease. Steve and others could give more Frank specific info than I can.
Conrad
|
|
|
|
| Re: How hot should the amp head get? [message #6660 is a reply to message #6659] |
Mon, 20 February 2006 11:54 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2010
Registered: April 2003
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Kustom Kyle:
If your head is getting too warm take your hat off! Just kiddin'.
All amps will get warm/hot with use, how hard were you playing before you noticed the temperature rise? If it gets warm from just being on (idling), I'd have the head checked. If it gets warm after playing a loud session, I'd just keep an eye on it, until you get a feeling for what is normal for your amp. Even if it does get warm after playing it hard, it should cool back down fairly quickly.
All Kustom amps have a built-in thermal cut-off switch that is attached to the output transistor heat sink. If the temperature rises above the safe level it will shut off the ac power to the amp. Once the amp has cooled down, the cut-off will close and the power will be turned back on.
As far as I know, the Frankenstein heads will work ok with a four ohm load. I think my stock horizontal 2-15 cabinet is wired that way.
Bill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: How hot should the amp head get? [message #6692 is a reply to message #6681] |
Wed, 22 February 2006 11:25 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2010
Registered: April 2003
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I always assumed that it was easier to make all of the cases the same, and because the PA's and the RV's needed the space to mount the reverb tank, all the heads had the same wide top panel.
When the tank was mounted inside the chassis on the A's, B's and metal fronts, there was no longer a need for the extra "forehead" space.
Bill
|
|
|
|
|
|
VintageKustom.com
Search
Help
Members
Register
Login
Home
]