Aleph 5 Transformer Problem, I think

[Mars]

I just cut and pasted this from the SH Forums.
I did send off an email to the service people at Pass.
Just thought I'd post this and see.


I was doing some house cleaning and this prompted me to dust under my Pass Labs Aleph 5 amp. I discovered some goop, for lack of a better word, under the amp. Upon further investigation I found it was coming out of the bottom of the amp. I popped the lid, after powering down, and saw that this stuff was coming from the Toroidal Power Transformer.

What is this stuff?
Is it dangerous?
Although the amp was still working fine, I decided it was not a good idea to leave on, possible fire hazard?

I will be sending it off to Pass Labs for repair or should I do it myself?
It doesn't look like a tough job, other than having to probably take it apart, not many wires on this thing.

Any thoughts by those who have knowledge about this?

Thanks!

[Nelson Pass]

The goop is a failing Sorbethane pad. Sorbethane is an excellent
noise damping material, and we used them as transformer pads
for a couple of years, however if the amp runs hotter than normal,
as in a hot environment or enclosed space (etc) the pad material
starts to fail after a few years.

It's not dangerous, but it is messy. Our procedure for it is to
simply replace the pad with a rubber one.

[Mars]

Thanks!

The bolt at the bottom of the unit was hanging from the Sorbethane
It also felt as thought the bolt was not getting into whatever receives it within, the transformer I presume.

The Sorbethane appears to have bubbled up over the top of the transformer, too.

I suppose it should be determined why it over-heated, although I seldom power it down.

Maybe I should only power it up when I am going to listen.

It is not in an enclosed area but sitting between my speakers on a hardwood floor.

So can the stuff be cleaned off the tranny or might that need to be replaced?

Thanks again

[Blues]

Originally posted by Mars
1)...although I seldom power it down.
2) Maybe I should only power it up when I am going to listen.

1) Not a good idea with an Aleph.
2) Good idea.

[Nelson Pass]

Well, like I said, you can send it to us and we'll scoop the
goop out and put in a rubber pad instead.

[Mars]

Thanks Nelson.

I'll call in Monday sometime, I left a voice-mail and email earlier, and see if this is something I can take care of without having to ship it half way across the country.