Making a Capacitor Discharge Tool // Discharge Capacitors in a Tube Amplifier // Tube Amp Safety

In this video I show you how I make two different Capacitor Discharge Tools.
I also show you how I use this tool on a guitar tube amp. (A Fender Harvard Clone)

The capacitors in a tube amplifier can hold a charge for an extended period of time. Just because the amp is unplugged doesn't mean it is safe to work on! Before you work on it, discharge the capacitors.

WARNING: Tube amplifiers contain very high and potentially lethal voltages!
Drain all filter caps and check voltages before commencing work.

Work should ultimately be done by a qualified Technician
familiar with tube amplifier testing, trouble shooting and repairs!

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[Fl_Music_Producer]

This is the best video on how to discharge Caps. I'm going to be building these today.

[PopeyeKFLBG]

Thank you...
Working on a rf amplifier...
Just got a nasty burn...
I got lucky...
I paid the minimum price for a life threatening lesson... Thank God...
Play safe and have fun...

[Lif-]

Instructive, entertaining, promoting best practice and safety.
What's not to like!
excellent work.

[rocketpoolpki]

Cool upload Mike, I made a 10w 100ohm version years ago, think I got the idea from Uncle Doug but seems I am wayyy under the mark so I am going to make an upgraded version today...as my father used to say..."Boy with pliers, mess with wires, blue ashes"

[jonathanhorne]

I usually just use an alligator clip lead connected to ground and the tube side of a plate resistor. If you hav an amp with a storage cap on the hot side of a standby switch make sure you close the switch.

[robbycumby]

Great idea and I think useful for hvac tech also rather than shorting with a screwdriver like i have seen in many hvac fix videos. Thanks

[fredflintstone]

I've seen quite a few videos on making these. In one video someone demonstrated their probe on a cap charged to 450 volts.. There was a meter connected. They touched the probe and the voltage dropped to near nothing. They removed the probe and the voltage had climbed back up a certain amount. Connecting a resistor creates an RC circuit with an associated time constant to discharge. This is why for my probe I put an insulated alligator clip on the end and leave it connected for several seconds allowing me to do something else. I also used a fairly low value resistor to cut that time down. I will admit though a 'touch' probe is better than nothing.

[montag]

Thanks for the video.
So putting two resistors in series will indeed double the resistance?
Example 500ohm plus 500ohm would equal 1000ohm? Does this have the same affect on the wattage rating as well?
Have my parts on hand, so I will make a couple of these so I safely do some minor work on my amps.

[williamlewis]

Hi Mike, thanks for making this video. On wattage of the resistor, you used a 25 watt for yours. How important is the wattage of the resistor? I have a 10 watt 1000 ohm resistor in my spare bin I was looking to use. I'm looking to discharge my AC capacitor. Thanks

[lpvinylrips]

Thanks for the great video.

I have some hifi amps with virtually all popropyelene non polar caps - even the PSU caps, which are Solen polypropylenes.

If you have non polar caps instead of polar, can you discharge the cap in the same way (one end of the wire to chassis and other to one end of the cap?, - If so, I assume it doesn’t matter which end you touch on the cap?)

Or can you not use the one wire end to ground technique for non polar caps?

I’ve seen other videos where people just use a resistor ends going tk each end of the Individual cap end, - instead connecting one end to the chassis.
That looks more inconvenient though.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[tonewheel]

OK, all clear except one thing. At the 3;00 mark, you say “we’ll solder the end on”, but what exactly is that black cord? Wire spec? Don’t you have to first strip the end off from that black cord?

[kubockferre]

Hi mike can i make resistor weld on metal scewdriver im not sure.thanks

[arnieslab]

Are the capacitors on solid state amps just as dangerous?

[zuheyr]

820 ohm does depend on the Cap value, doesnt it?

[aarongonzalez]

Can some respond this? Are Solid state amps safe to operate into them or I need to do the same thing

[ACEO]

Can you use it to safely discharge a capacitor in a central air conditioner?

[mikesizemore]

Would like a video on real time, not sped up so the viewer can see what is being done, I personally would rather have a normal speed video

[danlinsey]

You skipped something buddy. You inserted a red insulator in between the two black shrink tube insulators. I assume you snuck that in after soldering the resister to the probe. And why are you insulating a capacitor from the probe? Shorting out? That's the purpose of the capacitor.