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SE84UFO Internal Fuse Replacement: Hello Everyone. I want to express my gratitude to so many of you who have shared your experiences and knowledge regarding these Zen amps. It has made the relationship between my ZenUFO and me so much more fruitful. I post the following just in case it may be of interest to someone.
These are the original fuses in my SE84UFO (ordered 2/2020 and shipped 5/2020): All the fuses are 5x20mm Slow Blow Internal rectifier fuses: (#1 and #2 FUSE) T500mAL250V – SCHURTER/glass (#3 FUSE) 5TT6A125V – Bel Fuse/ceramic Power Inlet IEC fuse: T3.15AL250V – SCHURTER/glass
Some time back, I blew two of the three internal rectifier fuses. I had inserted a new Sophia Electric 274B, and upon startup, the transformer was cold, and there was no sound from the amp. All the tubes were lit. There had been no pop or arc. Replacing the Sophia Electric with the original rectifier resulted in the same situation. (Sophia Electric quickly determined their tube was at fault and immediately sent a replacement.) I knew the power IEC fuse could not be blown, but I did not know there existed internal fuses. I thought I had killed the transformer. But, Sarah and Steve quickly responded to solve the problem. Sarah even called a few days later to see if all was well. Steve mentioned that “If any one of the three internal fuses are blown, you will have no sound.”
So, taking it from there, I turned the ZenUFO upside down and removed the bottom plate. In the photo you will see the three fuses. From right to left: #1Fuse; #2Fuse; #3Fuse. #1Fuse was quite obviously damaged, #2Fuse not so obviously. I used a multimeter to try to determine if #3Fuse was blown. I found conflicting information online, but based on the different readings between the blown fuses and the #3Fuse, I decided it may have survived, and it had.
I replaced #1 and #2 fuses with Bussmann Ceramic Fast Blow fuses I found in town. I didn’t replace them with slow blow fuses because I wanted ceramic and I could not find slow blow ceramic in town. I left #3 fuse intact. The whole affair was a lot easier after the fact; I took forever searching videos and postings to see how to take the amp apart. One just has to turn it upside down. It is obvious and simple and only one way to do it… after you have done it. I have not opened it up again, those fast acting fuses are still in there and evidently fine. I might one day open the amp again and upgrade the internal fuses, but searching the low cost price range, I cannot find a viable replacement for the 6amp fuse; I believe using the more prevalent 6.3amp fuse instead would be safe, but I do not really know. However, now that I know that the IEC fuse is 3.15amp, and not specifically 3amp, there are more options available for that replacement.
Thank you, j.
(Sorry no photo; I do not have uploading permissions as this time)
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