Transformer shoulder washers and terminal strip issues

hokenpoke · 2839

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Offline hokenpoke

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After a long delay, I am finishing up a Crack 1.1 and am having a number of issues, not least of which is that the fiber and shoulder washers for the transformer have gone missing. So, questions . . .

What is the overall objective of using the shoulder and fiber washers? If I am reading this correctly, it is to isolate the chassis from the end bell and the transformer body. I can easily source nylon washers to handle the isolation duties but probably can't get the right shoulder washers. If the objective is to have the end bell and the transformer body electrically connected yet isolated from the chassis I could improvise as follows:
  • Star washer between end bell and transformer body
  • Nylon washers to isolate body from chassis
  • Shrink wrap bolts to isolate from chassis - substitute for shoulder washer
  • Fiber or nylon washers above and below transformer/chassis interface to isolate bolts from chassis
Would that do the trick?

Also - the 'feet' terminal strips that came with the kit were not sized correctly for #8 bolts. I tried drilling them out but broke one and boogered up another. I will look for replacements at local electronics store. Frustrating.



Offline oztayls

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Reply #1 on: August 30, 2023, 11:19:03 AM
It should work, but do yourself a favour and get some replacement fibre washers and do a proper job. They are easy enough to source or even get them sent from Bottlehead.

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Offline Thermioniclife

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Reply #2 on: August 30, 2023, 12:06:08 PM
Regarding the terminal strips mounted to the transformer refer to the top of page 17 of the instructions. They provide 1 self tapping screw that cuts threads on those strips. You can identify it because it has a slight taper and grooves cut on the end of the threads.

Lee R.


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: August 30, 2023, 01:14:35 PM
After a long delay, I am finishing up a Crack 1.1 and am having a number of issues, not least of which is that the fiber and shoulder washers for the transformer have gone missing.
We can send some replacements.  Please don't pursue other avenues, as not doing this correctly can cause strange problems and expensive damage.

Also - the 'feet' terminal strips that came with the kit were not sized correctly for #8 bolts. I tried drilling them out but broke one and boogered up another. I will look for replacements at local electronics store. Frustrating.
Did you use the self tapping screw we provided as instructed on page 17?  We definitely do not recommend drilling on the terminal strips.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline hokenpoke

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Reply #4 on: August 30, 2023, 02:08:51 PM
Did you use the self tapping screw we provided as instructed on page 17?
Yes - I found that just now. I am picking up the project from someone I gifted it to who seems to have missed that step in the instructions and, instead, told me that the terminal strips did not fit which, of course, they do not without modification.

We can send some replacements.
Thank you - how would I go about requesting replacements?



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #5 on: August 30, 2023, 02:25:43 PM
replacementparts(At)bottlehead(dot)com is the place to submit the request.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man