• 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

Scott LK-48 amp, main cap replacement

PatA

Super Member
Hey all, I picked this up at an estate sale yesterday. I brought it up starting with a 40 watt bulb, then 60 and 100 watts. Let it run for several hours with the 100 watt bulb. Everything seemed OK, although the cover on the big cap, (4x20uF/450vDC), was warm. At full voltage it heated up pretty quickly and vented before I could shut the amp down. From what I've read, it's easiest to get 4 20uF/440 volt caps and install them underneath the old cap. Has anyone taken pictures while doing this so I can get an idea of where to place the caps? I'm assuming that 450 volt caps are going to be somewhat large. I'm also not to sure I have found the proper schematic for it, I believe that it is LK-48B, which is similar to the 222D or maybe 222C, I can't quite figure out what the Scott site is trying to tell me.
Oh, by the way, got the LT-110 tuner also.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN7215.jpg
    DSCN7215.jpg
    81.5 KB · Views: 69
  • DSCN7196.jpg
    DSCN7196.jpg
    76.7 KB · Views: 57
Register to hide this ad
A couple things if I may...

1. All the Scott schematics actually show a 475 volt cap in that position. So I would recommend that with today's higher line voltages you use a 500 volt rated cap for a little more "headroom". However, there is a new production quad 20 @ 475 volt cap available if you want to simply replace that cap. Or you can use the quad section JJ 40-20-20-20 500 volt clamp mount cap.

2. If you want to "upgrade", I doubt you'll ever find room for motor run caps. There is not much room in that unit, and motor runs are large. You will also need room for discrete caps to replace the quad 100 uf 75 volt bias cap. Don't leave that one in place - when it fails your power tubes die!

You could use a dual section LCR 32/32 500 volt clamp mount cap for the first two sections of the old cap (if you can't find them drop me a note) and use discrete 47 uf F&T 500 volt caps for the 3rd and 4th sections. That would be a far superior cap to what was in there already. You could probably shoehorn in a couple K40 PIO bypass caps on the first couple sections too.

I'd replace the dual section can too BTW. It's easy to replace the stock cap with a dual section 50 uf @ 500 volt clamp mount F&T. Again, it's a far better cap, and the extra uf will help (like the 32 vs 20 uf above) without stressing the GZ34 at all.

Don't fool around - replace all the old electrolytics in that unit. It's not a question of IF they'll fail, it's WHEN.
 
Thanks for the info Jim, I'd like to replace these with the JJ capacitors or something similar. It's going to be the least complicated way for a guy with my experience to do it, I guess I'm trying to say that I want to do it right and do it correctly. I'm still having trouble sorting out the schematic for it, I'm not sure if the Scott site has the correct one. The power cap, (labeled "C3" in the amp), is no problem. The other two, (C1 and C2), don't match up with any in the schems that I have seen, (see pics). The cap numbers in all schems I've seen are C201, C202, C203, maybe it's supposed to be that way, I wouldn't know.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN7217.jpg
    DSCN7217.jpg
    90.2 KB · Views: 37
  • DSCN7218.jpg
    DSCN7218.jpg
    81 KB · Views: 37
I'd say something, but Jim has pretty much summed up everything I'd want to say. :thmbsp:

I've used the LCR and F&T caps in this application (and similar), and they do indeed work very well. Very reliable.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
OK, I think I'm slowly figuring this out, I attached the schematic that I've been referring to. The existing power cap is 20/20/20/20 uF-475 vDC, it is C203, C204, C205 and C206 on this schematic. The quad bias cap is 75/75/75/75uF-75vDC both on the amp and schematic, it is C207, C208, C209, C210. The dual section can says, 20/20uF-450wv - 25/25uF-25wv, on the can, (see pic in last post), it is apparently C201 and C202 on the schematic. This one is throwing me off because of what is says on the can, is it a dual section or quad section cap, I should go look at it, I could probably answer my own question. Also, can I get the quad 75uF or 100uF can? I'm betting I can't, haven't seen one anywhere. Here is the link to the schematic, you may not be able increase the size of this one.
http://www.hhscott.com/pdf/fs/222C-C1.JPG
 

Attachments

  • 222C-C1.jpg
    222C-C1.jpg
    126.5 KB · Views: 25
Last edited:
You can now buy FP type metal can capacitors at places like Antique Electronic Supply. They will fit perfectly and the ones I use in that position are generally rated at 475 volts DC. If you are replacing something like a two section @ 40 uf capacitor, you can use the quad section 20,20,20,20 uf @ 475 volts and just pair up sections to give you a two section @ 40 uf. As for the bias capacitor. This baby is a positive ground capacitor. You can find Nichicon 100 uf @ 100 volt capacitors that can fit under the chassis if you are creative.
My line voltage here varies from 115 - 120 volts so it is lower then what I had in upstate N.Y. in the late 60's (was 121 volts). But your line voltage could be as high as 125 volts. Also, if you bias this amp too cool (plate current on the 7189's too low) your B+ voltage at this capacitor will be higher then normal.
So biasing the amp reasonably close to 44 ma per pair of output tubes is a good thing to do. I have serviced these amps and found the bias adjusted as cool as 18 ma per pair of output tubes by the owner or someone.
Change out all those can capacitors. Just replace them with modern production cans, or modern production multi section clamp mount capacitors like those new JJ ones. The JJ's are a lot cheaper while the new FP types will retain the original look. Depends on how much looking original means to you as to whether you want to use the JJ capacitors or the more expensive FP type twist lock cans.
Another trick is to drill out the guts of the original cap and stuff the thing with some modern axle lead type single capacitors. I've done this a couple times before FP types were again available. But this is a bit labor intensive.
You should also change out the bias rectifier, coupling capacitors and all plate feed resistors. I have had best luck with metal film and metal oxide plate feed resistors. They tend to be quieter and more stable. But, I prefer carbon resistors in the signal path. You will have to try some different types of coupling capacitors. I'm older and my ears tend to roll off the highs more then a younger person (under 35 years old). So I like metalized poly caps for coupling capacitors. Ones like Kimber, Solen, Xicon, and Auricaps work for me. But I tend to suggest paper in oil types for younger people and use them in rebuilds where people ask for a softer sound. The differences really are very subtle, but they are there. My usual test is to see if you can hear the 15 Khz whine of a CRT type monitor's horizontal oscillator. If you can, chances are you'll like paper in oil caps. If not, you'll appreciate the extra sparkle of metalized film type capacitors. This is just a guideline I have adopted over the past couple years. It isn't cast in stone. Let your own ears decide.
Good luck with your amp. Those amps, when done right, sound really nice.
Oh, the schematics as published by Scott and Sams rarely are exactly what you will find in the amp. This is because Scott made constant changes to their amps during a product run.
 
Back
Top Bottom