• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Baking a 500-b

Register to hide this ad
You use a variac to power up a piece of equipment for the first time when you're not sure if it works, and/or you're not sure how long it's been since the last time it was turned on.

If it may have been many years or decades since it was turned on, the capacitors may have degraded to the point that they will fail the first time it's powered up. Or, if you don't know if it works at all, the same thing may happen because the capacitors failed years ago. Either way, if the capacitors are bad, you may cause serious damage by just turning it on.

However, in this case, the seller says that it works perfectly, which means (assuming he's not lying), that he has turned it on, and it's not showing any significant hum, which means the power supply filter capacitors are functioning ok, and that he's played some music on it, which means that the coupling capacitors are ok.

So, you don't need to use a variac at all. Keep in mind, if this unit hasn't been restored/repaired/refurbished, then it still has 40 year old capacitors, so I wouldn't leave it on while you go shopping, and I would certainly do the minimum necessary restoration work before I played it for hours on end.

If you haven't done so yet, you need to read some of the eleventy-six threads on restoring Fisher tube gear. You'll learn a lot!:yes:

Enjoy your new toy, and welcome to AK!:thmbsp:
 
bobva said:
...its been in the COLD for 2 weeks BAKE it?
Click to expand...

I'd probably take it out of the box and let it sit overnight before firing it up. I would certainly keep an eye on it for the first 10 minutes or so. It's not a bad idea to take the bottom cover off and turn it on its side for the first power up. That way, you can see right away if anything starts to smoke.

I wouldn't really worry about it too much. There's a world of difference between being safe and prudent and being paranoid. These things really aren't all that delicate.
 
I like some Olive Oil on them when I bake them

First,

Smother the amp with olive oil before you bake it, it helps a lot keeping the metal from drying out. And season to taste.

:banana::banana::banana:


Well, seriously if the guy says it works then that means he turned it on and played it.

So that means it is past the variac stage. Past the baking stage.

You can do it anyway for the magical properties it will embue on your equipment. I would recommend visiting the audiophile sites for the proper chants. If you get the chants wrong then you capacitors may shrivel up!

Hey, I took a peek at that fisher and it looks nice! I would bet it is all original, which is what you want. So that means restoration. Check the components underneath for any obvious problems and feel the silver cans on top for heat. (Bad sign)

If everything looks good then I would play it a little bit so that you can be psyched up for the refurb.

Hope you did not get offended at my corny attempts at humor, I would love to have one of those Fishers. My friend has a 500c coming that I am sure I will be working on within the next week.

Dan
 
It's definitely original and untouched.

Selenium rectifier is still there, original bias capacitor is still there, and the coupling caps are still there.
 
Fisherdude said:
I'd probably take it out of the box and let it sit overnight before firing it up. I would certainly keep an eye on it for the first 10 minutes or so. It's not a bad idea to take the bottom cover off and turn it on its side for the first power up. That way, you can see right away if anything starts to smoke.

I wouldn't really worry about it too much. There's a world of difference between being safe and prudent and being paranoid. These things really aren't all that delicate.
Click to expand...

Stand back when you do that. I had a cap explode on me once.
 
NYListens said:
Stand back when you do that. I had a cap explode on me once.
Click to expand...

I hope you had your safety goggles on!

I'm certainly basing my suggestions on the fact that the seller has already had it running, and I'm not at all suggesting that you should be close enough to be sniffing anything during the first few minutes!:no:
 
If it is cold, I would leave it all packed up for a day before opening it. Let it get room temp first. Otherwise it will get moisture all over it. John
 
guys im listening too everything.

and read alot about 1st start, restoring,cleaning, deoxit, faderlube, speaker wiring

back in 88 i bought a house it had a old wood console stereo in it well long story short it went up in flames.:yikes:not the house

Im not paranoid just beening safe:thmbsp:
 
These receivers run pretty hot, any atmospheric moisture should be driven off while operating. I would think that if enough moisture accumulated to cause a problem when turning it on would have done irreversable damage anyway?

It is great to get an untouched original that works, give it a listen but do plan on the usual safety restoration/upgrades.
 
Destructor said:
It is great to get an untouc but do plan on the usual safety restoration/upgrades.
Click to expand...

the hole will be gone threw

my cabinet maker is waiting for the old cab to make new one.:banana:

also Bob Carver opened a repair 25 miles from my house so ill have them check it out and do the caps plus after Iget her all cleaned:thmbsp:
 
Is the old cabinet trashed? I re-veneered my 800c cabinet and it looks great. Veneer only cost about $20 bucks. John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom