Does anyone else freak out when testing voltages...

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marT
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Does anyone else freak out when testing voltages...

Post by marT » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:56 pm

And you get a loud pop through the speaker testing some parts?

I am starting to get used to it a bit more now but the first few times I would test voltages on the tubes or set the bias it would be like "POP!" and I would immediately pull away with the multimeter in fear that I did something wrong. I think because its so tense in the first place making sure you touch the right component with the multimeter lead and the high voltages. not to mention checking the speakers are connected like 50 thousand times.

I swear I shit my pants nearly every time.

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Post by OdgeUK » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:06 am

LOL! Me too! Just putting together an old JMP 50W that I bought from ebay last year. Never been inside an amp before then. On the testing voltages bit now, and I crap my pants whenever i get that pop through the speakers. Takes me a little while to prepare and psyche myself up before probing around a live amp! Man, I swear i actually start sweating after a while. Scary stuff messing with those filter caps. :D

I'd be interested to know if that popping is bad? Some terminals POP a lot more than others. Wonder why?
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OdgeUK
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Post by OdgeUK » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:08 am

LOL! Me too! Just putting together an old JMP 50W that I bought from ebay last year. Never been inside an amp before then. On the testing voltages bit now, and I crap my pants whenever i get that pop through the speakers. Takes me a little while to prepare and psyche myself up before probing around a live amp! Man, I swear i actually start sweating after a while. Scary stuff messing with those filter caps. :D

I'd be interested to know if that popping is bad? Some terminals POP a lot more than others. Wonder why?
73 JMP 1987 w/LarMar
78 JMP 1987
79 2104
Peavey JSX 120
Marshall 1936 G12-65
Gibson LP Custom, Squier CV 50's Strat w/SD '59

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Flames1950
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Post by Flames1950 » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:33 am

Get a big 200-watt resistor and set it up for 16 ohms to use as a dummy load for testing. No popping, no jumping, no accidents in your trousers.
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marT
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Post by marT » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:39 am

I don't think it is harmful in anyway, its just touching sensitive parts of the amp to do with output.

I have a weber mass 150 that could be used as a dummy load the only problem is I don't really trust it :? I guess you just have the attenuation max and it would be all good.

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Post by ToneBone » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:26 pm

The pop isn't THAT loud. Either that or I'm half deaf by now... What?

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Tuco
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Post by Tuco » Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:34 pm

marT wrote:I have a weber mass 150 that could be used as a dummy load the only problem is I don't really trust it :? I guess you just have the attenuation max and it would be all good.
LOL! Same here. I've read and re-read on his website that it can be used as a dummy, but I still have more than an ounce of doubt.

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