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Wurlitzer 200a electrolytic capacitators

Started by fozziemusic, May 17, 2021, 05:53:51 PM

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fozziemusic

I found out that my 200a has some seriously wrong voltages on the reed bar (it appears that only one of C30, 31 and 34 is working) - with readings starting about 80 volts and dropping to 52V after measuring for a few seconds - not sure if that is a sort of loading effect of my DMM but I'm nowhere near 150V. Other voltages seem to be ok-is - the +/- 22.5V is 24.5V in my amp, other voltages are spot on or similarly off.

While I'm at it to replace those caps, I would like to change the big cans too, they are still the original ones. I'm not that familiar with electronic parts though - it is clear to me that I should order 2200 uF radial caps, but I'm not sure of the voltage rating (it says 'WV 35' on them - is that 35V?). I would expect higher for power supply caps - but I guess they are after the transformer so maybe that is correct. I'd like to be sure though.
And are there physical dimensions to take into account (diameter, lead pitch, ..)? Any pointers or specific replacement part details would be highly appreciated.

One more question: I need a replacement 1.5A 32V main fuse, but I can only find higher voltage (250V) rated ones. In my simple mind fuses are about current so it should be OK - but again I would like to double check.

I'm aware of discussions on whether or not to rebuild the amp - but I would like to give it a shot myself and keep things original. Any guidance on the above questions would be highly appreciated!

Last edit: apologies if this question would fit better in the Parts, Service, Maintenance & Repairs section. Moderators please feel free to move this.

pianotuner steveo


Before you replace anything, have you reflowed solder? These amps are famous for cold solder joints...

If changing electrolytic caps, be sure you note the polarity, and put the new ones in the right way.
The black stripe running down the side of can caps indicates polarity.

I'm 90% sure wv35 means "working volts-35"
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

fozziemusic

Thank you very much! I found the same information on WV and was about to update my request / opening post, so thank you for confirming.

I will double check the joints, but thought it was good to change those 40+ electrolytic caps anyway. I am aware of the importance of the correct polarity, but again thanks for the advice!

fozziemusic

#3
I've found this quote on another board:

QuoteThere's a very high impedence on the reed bar, and if you don't have a good meter with a high internal impedence, the DC reading can appear lower than it really is. If you're reading any voltage at all on the preamp, it would seem there's not a short between the reeds and reed bar.

Could this be correct? I have a cheap DMM (measuring close to 55V - what was reported by the OP on the other board), so could it be that the voltage is actually correct on the reed bar but I get a low reading because of the high impedance of the reed bar and relatively low impedance of my DMM?

pianotuner steveo

I don't think so since you measure the voltage right where the wires attach. If you are super careful, you can disconnect the + wire from the reed bar and measure, but watch out for shorting it or getting zapped! You can disconnect it with the power off and use electrical tape to tape it to your meter...you can just leave the ground wire where it is. This will give you a reading with no load.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

fozziemusic

That's great advice, I'll do that later tonight or when I have the chance.

As I was reading into possible issues and solutions last night, I found posts on strike line as well and in all these years I had never tried to adjust it (I did do a voicing by slightly bending reed bar and positioning reeds using gauge feelers). And how great - I was always missing that classical wurly 'sweetness' in the tone, my wurly sounded a bit more hard and piano-like. Now I have loosened the harp bolts, shifted the high side first and lower side later, and what a difference! A few minimal tweaks make all the difference! The sound is clearer, the classic wurly 'sweetness' (don't know how to describe it) is there much more now. Good stuff :-)

pianotuner steveo

I was thinking of "non A" models, without the preamp. I'm not sure if this changes what I recommended to try or not.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

fozziemusic

I found I would need to desolder the + lead to the reed bar (there was a defect there when I bought it many years ago, not sure if this was one of the tiny soldering repairs I did to get back to work more or less normal). Alternatively I could try to take off the lead on the amp board at the +150v point, but it is difficult to get to and I'm a bit scared to damage the board by disconnecting the connectors which are stuck on super tight. So I'm still a bit on the fence about what I'll do, but i'll probably recap it anyway for safety after 40+ years and see where it gets me.

I've learned a lot getting here, now only a few final bits on getting the right detailed specs on the electrolytic caps (lead pitch on the smaller ones, physically fitting replacements for the large cans which seem to have 3 snap-in terminals each).

fozziemusic

Further update on my wurly - I noticed that there were quite serious ground loop issues with my wurly as has been reported here by others. Having the wurly off and plugging it into my twin reverb gets me a loud hum, until I disconnect the main ground (not recommended for safety of course). Wurly on the same effect. Changing grounding connections in the wurly had no effect, wurly and amp connected to the same wall socket so wasn't sure what else to do until I noticed that ground loop isolators are available for very little money.

A super cheap amazon ground loop isolator (sold for car use - similar to this one for some 6 euro or so https://www.amazon.nl/tomzz-Audio-5800-081-interferentieonderdrukkingsfilter-20-20-000Hz/dp/B00PWMVSQQ/ref=sr_1_26?__mk_nl_NL=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2SQ8G00EEUXC3&dchild=1&keywords=ground+loop+isolator&qid=1622137916&sprefix=ground+loop+iso%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-26) fixes all of it. Now there is a bit of hiss from the wurly when it's turned on, but not a lot at all. It may not be hi-fi, studio grade or anything, but it works wonders!