PL400 Caps Replacement

[daver88]

Hello:

I have some issues with installing the White Oak Caps.
My early PL400 does not have the older hold down clamp. I had previously had the snubber and bridge kit replaced by a stereo store technician, many years ago. So, I do not know if the unit came with the hold down or he tossed it. The original caps have a very sticky double sided tape to hold them in place.
Anyways, the part died again and I had the White Oak Snubber and Bridge kit installed recently by an experienced PL person.
So, I thought that I could handle replacing the caps. Oh, how wrong I was. PS: I am an accountant, not an electrical person. So, some comments may not make sense to you.
I cannot seat the caps. The red wires over the snubber/bridge will not allow me to push down the caps. I cannot push down the front as the red wires are too stiff and are interfering with the snubber/bridge.
So, one nut on the back of a meter is contacting the hold down plate from White Oak.
Secondly, the hold down post from White Oak is too long and I cannot put the front panel back in place. I hand tightened the hold down post. Do I need to tighten it another 3/8”?
I do have the White Oak bus bar. I did not install it as the lower number of solders I make the happier my PL400 will be. Should I install it to get those red wires away from the snubber/bridge?
I will be installing the Watts Abundant speaker protection as the next step.
Cheers,
Dave

 

[Gepetto]

The wires are all formable to be able to fit in the available space. Many have accomplished that.

There is a notch in the hold down plate, when oriented properly will clear the meter nut. The threaded rod should be threaded down, by hand, until you feel it bottom on the transformer windings. Whoever did your bridge snubber did not do it correctly. The caps provided were not used and the 2 caps installed are on the wrong side of the board creating interference with the wires you are having trouble fitting.

 

[daver88]

The wires are all formable to be able to fit in the available space. Many have accomplished that.

There is a notch in the hold down plate, when oriented properly will clear the meter nut. The threaded rod should be threaded down, by hand, until you feel it bottom on the transformer windings. Whoever did your bridge snubber did not do it correctly. The caps provided were not used and the 2 caps installed are on the wrong side of the board creating interference with the wires you are having trouble fitting.

 

[daver88]

When I look at the bridge snubber there is a screw hole further back. That could have been me when I first put in these new caps. I will move the bridge snubber further back relative to the bus bar. Perhaps it will all work then. Does that sound reasonable? Again, sorry for being an accountant.

 

[Gepetto]

When I look at the bridge snubber there is a screw hole further back. That could have been me when I first put in these new caps. I will move the bridge snubber further back relative to the bus bar. Perhaps it will all work then. Does that sound reasonable? Again, sorry for being an accountant.

Yes, the hold down plate should almost touch the left side wall when installed correctly

 

[Gepetto]

 

[Gepetto]

 

[daver88]

You said " The caps provided were not used and the 2 caps installed are on the wrong side of the board creating interference with the wires you are having trouble fitting. "

I do not quite understand. These are brand new caps. You indicate that the caps installed are on the wrong side of the board. What does that mean?

Everything fits once I pick the right hole for the bridge snubber.

Does this look ok, or move the plate over to the next hole?

 

[Gepetto]

You said " The caps provided were not used and the 2 caps installed are on the wrong side of the board creating interference with the wires you are having trouble fitting. "

I do not quite understand. These are brand new caps. You indicate that the caps installed are on the wrong side of the board. What does that mean?

Everything fits once I pick the right hole for the bridge snubber.

Does this look ok, or move the plate over to the next hole?

I am referring to the caps for the snubber board, not the large bulk caps.

 

[Hexis22]

You said " The caps provided were not used and the 2 caps installed are on the wrong side of the board creating interference with the wires you are having trouble fitting. "

I do not quite understand. These are brand new caps. You indicate that the caps installed are on the wrong side of the board. What does that mean?

Everything fits once I pick the right hole for the bridge snubber.

Does this look ok, or move the plate over to the next hole?

He is referring to the caps on the rectifier board, they are not the supplied Blue film caps and they are mounted on the top side of the board (should be mounted on the underside of the PCB).

 

[daver88]

This bridge snubber was assembled while I was there. The PL400 was then tested and I was told it was operating normally.

So, what should I do? Or, better yet, what would you suggest? I took my PL400 over to be tested as it was not working and it was determined to be the bridge snubber. So, he built the part. I guess he had your board and used his own parts.

Should I just order a new kit? I do not know the difference between a rectifier and snubber.

I am referring to the caps for the snubber board, not the large bulk caps.
View attachment 85931
View attachment 85933 View attachment 85932 [/QUO

He is referring to the caps on the rectifier board, they are not the supplied Blue film caps and they are mounted on the top side of the board (should be mounted on the underside of the PCB).

TE]

 

[Gepetto]

This bridge snubber was assembled while I was there. The PL400 was then tested and I was told it was operating normally.

So, what should I do? Or, better yet, what would you suggest? I took my PL400 over to be tested as it was not working and it was determined to be the bridge snubber. So, he built the part. I guess he had your board and used his own parts.

Should I just order a new kit? I do not know the difference between a rectifier and snubber.

You wrote that you had issues making the wires fit and clearing the meters. If moving the bridge around now made it all fit, you will be fine. Not as intended or as neat as it could be but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.