hum [resolved]

lesouthern · 3647

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Offline lesouthern

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on: April 17, 2023, 07:38:27 AM
Previously working amp, with an intermittent hum. I wiggle the left tube and it goes away.

I tightened some loose screws on the tube bases, trying to fix the issue. Now the hum is loud and constant, wiggling the tube does nothing. Amp is not usable.

I assume I have a bad solder in there somewhere? I've heard of it, but could you describe the chopstick trick you guys do to find bad connections?
« Last Edit: April 17, 2023, 12:51:13 PM by Paul Birkeland »



Offline Thermioniclife

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Reply #1 on: April 17, 2023, 07:58:57 AM
It looks like alot of the solder joints are crusty looking. They need more heat until the solder flows.

Lee R.


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #2 on: April 17, 2023, 08:07:54 AM
I would also turn your iron up to its hottest temperature.  Many of the solder joints I see haven't gotten hot enough to flow out properly, and if the flux can't flow out, the flux will actually linger between the two parts you want soldered, which makes a problematic joint.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline lesouthern

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Reply #3 on: April 17, 2023, 11:49:35 AM
Got it working, thanks for the help!