Rattling in the capacitor?

[thehymns]

I bought a Mesa DC-3 combo the other day, and while I tested it out I noticed no noise problem, but when I got it him there was an annoying rattle. I checked the tubes, but it seems the noise is coming from the capacitor? Is this something I'm going to have to have a tech fix or is there a simple solution to the problem? There isn't any deterioration of sound, just that annoying rattle!

It's a great sounding amp. Shame they don't make them anymore.

 

[dgatwood]

I bought a Mesa DC-3 combo the other day, and while I tested it out I noticed no noise problem, but when I got it him there was an annoying rattle. I checked the tubes, but it seems the noise is coming from the capacitor? Is this something I'm going to have to have a tech fix or is there a simple solution to the problem? There isn't any deterioration of sound, just that annoying rattle!

It's a great sounding amp. Shame they don't make them anymore.

Is this a sort of sizzle sound? If so, that sounds like an electrolytic that's about to pop. I'd stop using it until you can replace the capacitor. Easy to do, but it needs to be done. If it explodes, it will leak its caustic contents inside the unit, which can damage the board under it (not to mention potentially damaging other components by allowing through whatever the capacitor was intended to block).

 

[Light]

If it is a mechanical rattle in the cap can, you MIGHT be able to tighten the clamp screw, but if it's anything more than that, if you don't know what your doing, take it to a tech. That cap is the one which holds the greatest amount of stored current. That's the one which will kill you. Or at least, the worst of the ones which will kill you.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[thehymns]

Is this a sort of sizzle sound? If so, that sounds like an electrolytic that's about to pop. I'd stop using it until you can replace the capacitor. Easy to do, but it needs to be done. If it explodes, it will leak its caustic contents inside the unit, which can damage the board under it (not to mention potentially damaging other components by allowing through whatever the capacitor was intended to block).

This sounds like a diagnosis for my problem. How much does a new capacitor cost?

 

[Light]

This sounds like a diagnosis for my problem. How much does a new capacitor cost?

The part? It depends on where you buy it. Doing it yourself? Your life, if you don't know what your doing. And no, I'm not kidding.


Take it to a tech and get it recapped. If one of them is going bad, they all are. A cap job shouldn't be too expensive, as it is fairly quick, and the parts are pretty cheap. I would GUESS it to be under $100, though I obviously can't swear to that.


And once again, let me stress, this is NOT a DIY project unless you want to spend quite a bit of time studying first. It's not all that difficult, but it is dangerous.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi