Ampeg V4 Transformer failure

[radvra]

Not sure if this is the culprit, but after a long hibernation, I fired up my (EL-34 50 watt) modified V4 after retubing it yesterday....and after some playing I heard a loud fzzzzzzzzzz!....and then lots of white smoke coming through the output tube area near the Transformer. There are 2 open sockets from the mod, and this is where the smoke escaped.

I opened it up and could not see any components fried, so I suspect I may have toasted the transformer. Is this typical for transformer meltdowns?

Next question is where do ai get a replacement...and given the mod, can I go with something that is not OEM?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

[AL30]

Not sure what your problem is. It would be helpful if you described the mod.

For parts - all things Ampeg

http://www.fliptops.net/

I've dealt with them on a few occasions. Good service.

AL

[radvra]

The mod was relatively simple, and has 2 EL-34's (Svetlana), a 6CG7, 6K11, and 3 12Ax7's. It also has a master volume mod.

I pulled the transformer, and could not view any signs of damage...and the smell was awful, which tells me it may have been one of the caps burning electrolyte. The only sign of damage I can see is one of the caps has shredded it's outer shell plastic...which I originally had attributed to age, but none of the other caps has this???, so I am rethinking the tranny failure.

Also, I screwed up because I put one of the tubes in the wrong socket, and this may have caused the meltdown. Not sure what cause and effect is on this type of mistake, but I am sure it had some impact on the failure.

In general I was expecting some component failures based on the amp being dormant for so long...maybe 15 years.

[sixstringslut]

Replace all electrolytics first before worrying about tranny. Maybe checking voltages w/ tubes removed.

[radvra]

Solid advice. Thanks. I was thinking of getting a cap kit from fliptops anyway, and I sent pictures of my current setup to try and optimize a kit for the amp.

Rich