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Turning on older SS gear after storage

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Posted on January 3, 2017 at 11:55:17
David Yost
Audiophile

Posts: 959
Location: Atlanta
Joined: May 12, 2006
 Hello, All

I am about to install one of my back-up JVC XP A1010 ambiance processors. It has been in storage for at least 10 years and is over 25 years old. Are there any special procedures for powering up old SS gear like this unit, or should I just cross my fingers and hit the switch?

BTW, the old unit developed a shrill screeching noise out of the blue -- could this be bad power supply caps? Know of any techs in the Atlanta area that might be able to fix one of these?

Thanks for any and all advice,

David

 

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RE: Turning on older SS gear after storage, posted on January 3, 2017 at 14:00:35
FenderLover
 I'd make sure the proper fuses are in the unit. Use a Variac to slowly ramp up the voltage to reform the caps & check for shorts.

 

RE: Turning on older SS gear after storage, posted on January 4, 2017 at 05:20:34
David Yost
Audiophile

Posts: 959
Location: Atlanta
Joined: May 12, 2006
 Thanks, FL.

Do you have any suggestions for the ramp up profile? I have read somewhere that solid state should be brought up to full voltage relatively quickly -- in a minute or two -- as opposed to tube gear.

David

 

RE: Turning on older SS gear after storage, posted on January 4, 2017 at 07:57:59
sony6060
Audiophile

Posts: 1465
Location: USA
Joined: August 8, 2014
 Although not the best way, I just turn on the SS at full voltage. SS gear does not have very high voltages.

However, tube gear that has much higher voltages I will ramp up on a variac.

 

" I have read somewhere that solid state should be brought up to full voltage relatively quickly", posted on January 4, 2017 at 09:56:18
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I'd like to better understand this too. I've read that transistors will draw more current if less than their working voltage is applied (I believe I have that right). So if a SS amp circuit is designed to work at 35 VDC, and you're only applying 5 VDC via the variac, the transistors may draw too much current and burn themselves out.

That being said, I have an old James Bongiorno designed SAE power amp, and also a Marantz 1060. The service manuals for both of those mention the use of a variac during service, so I've always been a bit confused on the voltage subject with regard to solid-state.

Hopefully someone in the know will chime in with more feedback on the subject.

 

RE: Turning on older SS gear after storage, posted on January 4, 2017 at 10:07:18
krankkall
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Location: New Mexico
Joined: April 5, 2014
 I inherited my late Father old STACO 10A variac.
Just go up S-L-O-W-L-Y and smell/look for smoke or sparks.

Steve

 

Maybe over a few minutes, posted on January 4, 2017 at 18:49:12
FenderLover
 That's why it's important to have correct fuses in unit, first. To avoid excessive current draw damage due to shorts, bad caps, character of solid-state devices.

No volume, speakers connected, no inputs.

 

Thanks for the reassurance, FL (nt), posted on January 6, 2017 at 05:09:16
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007

 

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