Trouble finding a Variac

[ReeceyBurger123]

Hi all,
Requesting for a bit of help. Im currently after a variac as the other day was testing a tube amp and as soon as I plugged it in 3 of the paper caps blew up in my face, after rethinking carefully what I had done wrong, figured it was because I brought them up to line voltage too fast causing them to explode. Don't suppose any one knows where I could get a hold of a variac it needs to be capable of 240 VAC @50-60Hz roughtly. If any one has any ideas where I could obtain one let me know thanks.

[stj]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

lol
i would have re-capped it first.
some stuff simply should not be preserved - ancient caps are top of that list followed by rubber-insulated cables.

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

Yeah lol im only 15 years and not really familiar to older electronics like this never expected such a bang, next time im going to be alot more careful and not put my head soo close lol. Planning on restoring it fully.

[stj]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

i'v seen lots of caps explode - you *never* get used to it!

closest i'v been was about 3ft from it - had to pick bits of paper & foil out of my hair afterwards!
bastard xenon strobe lights really piss me off!!!!

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

Lol it left some crap on the floor that was sizzling smelt horrible as well yum....
Alot of them I can use some radial lytics I have around but before I do that I need to replace the following:
Rectifiyer think its selium
Every wire with high quality braided wire
Caps
Carbon resistors
Possibly tubes need to test them on mates meter

[Agent24]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

You should read up on tube equipment safety... you're lucky only the paper capacitors exploded. The big can electrolytics can go too, if they've been sitting around for a long time. You don't want a face full of toxic oil!

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

Yeah lol at the time I was busy enough and just wanted to see if it worked well I was in for a surprise....

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

Now its a case of seeing if im able to fix and restore it, going to have to put it aside for the min as got other things to focus on will be fun to do though.

[ReeceyBurger123]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

Still no luck, any one have any suggestions ?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Trouble finding a Variac

What particular amp is it? Have you looked for a schematic?