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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE34I.5 >> Rachel has No power
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Message started by DVDMike on 01/27/22 at 21:02:16

Title: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/27/22 at 21:02:16

When I tried to power up my Rachel today, made about a year ago, nothing lights up. I’ve tried switching outlets and switching power cables. Turned off the switch. Turned it back on.

Is there any other troubleshooting I can do?

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by HockessinKid on 01/27/22 at 21:22:08

Check the fuses.

HK

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Lon on 01/27/22 at 21:22:36

Sounds like a fuse blown. Check out the fuse in the fuse holder on the top of the IEC inlet. There should be a spare there too.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/27/22 at 21:55:43

Thanks guys. I had to look up in the manual where the fuse was but I haven’t checked it yet.

I’ll post back tomorrow!

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/28/22 at 22:22:11

The fuse was blown. I put in the clean spare fuse and it started to come on and blew again. The big tube in the center lit up and flickered. It has 274b written on it. So something is is messed up here.

Both fuses are smoked, literally.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by HockessinKid on 01/28/22 at 23:00:43

Call Decware, talk with Steve. May have to ship it back for a repair.

HK

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Geno on 01/29/22 at 03:47:49

Mike,

Do you have another rectifier tube to try? If the one you have in now is about to fail, it could be causing the fuses to blow.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/29/22 at 12:56:18

I don’t have a spare tube. I guess I should try and find one?

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/29/22 at 13:02:21

Wow, these tube can be expensive!

https://sophiaelectric.com/products/pages-se-274b

Anyone have a better source for these tubes?

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Lon on 01/29/22 at 13:36:18

Sometimes they sell "B" stock versions a bit cheaper, and sometimes you can find them on eBay a bit cheaper, but they're expensive tubes. I really like them though.

NOTE: I have never used the "Princess" models but have been told they won't have longevity in these amps--the one to use in the Decware amps is the "Aqua" model.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Lon on 01/29/22 at 13:38:08

I'd recommend buying a NOS RCA 5U4G or 5V4G tube, they are less expensive and really work well in these amps. When I had a "Rachel" (well, it was before they were calling the amp that) I used these very happily.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Cuff on 01/30/22 at 16:59:07

I'll second Lon's recommendation. The ValveArt 274B that shipped with my Rachael failed around 450 hours. I've been perfectly happy with a NOS RCA 5U4G as a replacement, and have >1,300 hours on the one currently installed in my amp. Check https://www.surplussales.com//Tubes-Sock-Acc/0-5/TubesListed-5.html - they have them for $20. No affiliation, just a satisfied customer here.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/30/22 at 17:30:08

I’ve ordered the new rectifier tube. Thanks for the recommendation.

But what about replacement fuses? The manual does not specify voltage?

“The fuse is a 3 amp, 20mm glass fuse. “

I’ve seen 125v and 250v fuses. My house power is 120v. IM not sure if that makes a difference here or not. But what I’m finding is most of the fuses are 250v.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by hdrider on 01/30/22 at 17:33:48

I saw a post here for the 5U4WG from the same vendor (35.00ea) a few months ago so I ordered three for my Rachael, CSP3, ZP3. They were a great vendor to deal with, tubes arrived in good condition. Installed them and let them run for a while in normal household usage and was impressed enough that I ordered another trio for back up. Great tube and vendor, in my experience. Also no affiliation, just a very satisfied customer. Happy listening, Chris.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Archie on 01/30/22 at 18:35:18

W=A X V so wouldn't voltage for the fuse make a difference?

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Lon on 01/30/22 at 18:36:59

Those I have used are 250v, slow blow.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Archie on 01/30/22 at 18:58:29

Just follow the manual for fuses.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 01/30/22 at 21:43:13

I quoted the manual. And I had a question because the manual did not show voltage.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by 4krow on 01/30/22 at 22:47:15

I wish that I could give a better answer than the one that I am offering: In short, you will be just fine using a fuse rated at 250v. I don't an answer as to why fuses are rated that way, but of the hundreds of fuses that I have used in building equipment, 250 volt rating is what I see when fuses arrive after ordering.
I owned a Rachel amp for several years with no fuse problems. The fact that yours blew, is saying something is wrong, and a new fuse will not fix it.
I have NOT read all the posts in this thread, so excuse me if I have overlooked something, but yes, the 250v rating is fine.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 02/04/22 at 19:34:31

Rachel is working again after a new rca tube and fuse. This center tube is smaller than that rectifier and it has no light. It gets warm. Do all tubes not light up?

1000k is too small for regular photos without going into an imaging editing app

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by DVDMike on 02/04/22 at 20:43:40

So this photo should be small enough. You can see the new tube. Note that it had 5 connectors, not 4 like the old one. It installed fine and seems to be working.

Also note that the meters show a value under 40. I though this was higher under the old rectify tube? Is this a problem? Does it mean that I'm not getting my full wattage?

I cannot really compare its current sound to the old sound because I've got it hooked up to different and much less efficient and smaller speakers. It doesn't go particularly loud with these large bookshelf I'm using at the moment. But it does appear to sound outstanding. This observation is completely subjective however.

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Geno on 02/04/22 at 23:08:57

Mike,

Glad you are back in business. But you can do a lot better than the J & J rectifier. Get you a pair of NOS RCA or Sylvania’s. They will smoke that new production rectifier. And as soon as you can, build up a small inventory of the other tubes in your amp. You should have several backups.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Carlsbad on 04/04/22 at 01:22:42

I just bought a pre-owned Rachel and am scanning the forums. Ships tomorrow so I won't have it for a week. I currently have a Sophia Baby and might keep it as my primary amp if it had multiple inputs. Huge fan of Sophia and look forward to Decware head to head.

So I was glad to see that Sophia makes a rectifier tube for this amp. Anyone used it? Comments? I may get one on order.

Jerry

Title: Re: Rachel has No power
Post by Lon on 04/04/22 at 01:44:12

I use the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B, have in Decware preamps and amps. IMO a great sounding tube. Some have had reliability issues, I have not.