Funky Caps and Switches.

[gearhead]

Heh all,

Got an Express build going that has been weird since day one (going on day 40 or so, LOL). Take 5 steps forward and then 4 back. Have had two signficant breakthrouhs; first lasted 5 minutes, the second about a day. Something keeps dragging it back down. Each time it's better than before, but nowhere near what it is just after each breakthrough.

Anyway, I've run across two semi-related things that have me puzzled.

*1 Switch - Mains switch, with amp plugged in, has small AC (20-30 mV) on the center tabs, when switch is in off postion. These tabs are what provide power when it is swtiched on. Not between the two tabs, but each to ground. There is also a DC component, because the total keeps rising over time. Unplug amp and, bang, the AC is gone. However, there is an ever decreasig DC component (like a cap discarching). I would think that it's the switch, but puzzle #2

#2 Power Caps and Standby switch. As soon as the amp is plugged in, the Power Caps for B+1 thru B+5 start charging (all at the same value), at the rate of a few mV per second. This is also at the middle tabs for the standby switch, but there is NOTHING at the input to the switch, i'e. from the two 40uF caps and rectifier diodes. The two 40uF caps are at dead zero also.

AFAIK, there are only three connections between these two sections; thru the standy switch, thru the bias section, and thru Ground.

Darn sure it's not the first, have checked the second (but no go so far), and have no idea how to trace down the later.

Any ideas?

As an aside, even after unplugging the amp and letting it sit overnight, there is some residual DC on each of the B+1 to +5 caps. If I switch it to standby (and uplugged), they then drain thru the 2 100K resistors.

BTW, I was going to name this amp after my wife, but am having second thoughts. Got two names that are neck and neck now; "Bipolar Betty" and "Psycho Sally"? Which you all like, LOL.

[gearhead]

Never mind, redid some joints and it's ok now. -Probably- was a strand whisker where it shouldn't have been. Weird, weird. No solid open or short circuits.

Psycho Sally is going to go for a long rest now. My next build (Liverpool) is ramping up.