|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 6
Member
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 6 |
Customer has couple of old Bogen horns in a mechanics shop. Amp is a TPU-35A. There is a WMT-1A matching transformer between amp and phone system (Avaya BCM50).
During a page, you hear the audio, but also some noise. Customer described it a being under water. To me, it sounds like the amp might be overdriving the horns. Settings are the same as always. I even turned down the main volume control. Without a page, you can hear a slight hum. Could it be wiring that is common to both horns? I don't have a spare amp to try. I'll have to listen to the output of the phone system with a butt set to see what that sounds like. I think those amps are generally pretty solid.
Thanks. Jim
|
|
|
Visit Atcom to get started with your new business VoIP phone system ASAP
Turn up is quick, painless, and can often be done same day.
Let us show you how to do VoIP right, resulting in crystal clear call quality and easy-to-use features that make everyone happy!
Proudly serving Canada from coast to coast.
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,058 Likes: 5
Moderator-1A2, Cabling
|
Moderator-1A2, Cabling
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,058 Likes: 5 |
You could try hooking up one of the speakers directly to the Amp (eliminating the other speakers and all plant wiring) and see if there's still noise.
Sam
"Where are we going and why are we in this hand basket?"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,347 Likes: 4
Member
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,347 Likes: 4 |
The very last thing I would suspect is the wiring. It's an inanimate object.
In addition to what Sam said:
Disconnect the amp input from the system. Do you hear hum? > replace amp.
Listen to system output with your butt set while disconnected from the amp.
If you are going to do this kind of work and charge for it you should have the proper test equipment. A signal generator and spare amp with speaker (and knowing how to troubleshoot with them) will find the problem in minutes.
-Hal
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Some comments made by me are known to the State of California to cause irreversible brain damage and serious mental disorders leading to confinement.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,807 Likes: 18
Retired Admin
|
Retired Admin
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,807 Likes: 18 |
Generally for an existing system the cable doesn't change except for: Construction or repair — Any workmen in the building recently? Any new equipment or cabling of any kind? (Telephone, Data, Electrical . . .) Was UTP used as speaker wire? If it's used on talk-back speakers may lead to higher electrical noise. Be sure to check for proper AC grounding using a 3 Wire Receptacle Tester. It's not, hopefully, your responsibility to correct AC wiring but verifying your receptacle is properly wired and eliminate hours of searching for ghosts. ...and of course all the things Hal stated. ![agree agree](/forum/images/graemlins/default/agree.gif)
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,058 Likes: 5
Moderator-1A2, Cabling
|
Moderator-1A2, Cabling
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,058 Likes: 5 |
Loose or corroded connections in the wiring will cause noise. I agree it's the least likely of all scenarios. But really, what have you got? An Amp, Speakers, Wire and a Source (mic, telephone system, music source etc.)
Anytime I can eliminate 25% of the potential problems, easily, I do it.
But then I'm lazy and old fashioned.
Sam
"Where are we going and why are we in this hand basket?"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 6
Member
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 6 |
Thanks for all the pointers. I was on-site today. - Electric outlet is wired correctly, according to the receptacle tester. - A normal page is understandable, but you can hear a distinct distortion. - Input level setting is at normal setting, where it has been for years.
- Monitoring with a butt set on the input to the amp, amp disconnected, sounds very clear. - Monitoring on input, with amp connected and still clear.
- Monitoring on output of the amp, while idle, and I can hear a small amount of hum. Same hum on the horns if it's quiet in the shop. - Monitoring on output of the amp, with the cable to the horns disconnected, and the hum gets much louder.
So, I'm thinking there is something in the amp going bad? It's a Bogen TU-35.
Thanks. Jim
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,347 Likes: 4
Member
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,347 Likes: 4 |
Sounds like the amp is dying. Replace the amp.
-Hal
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Some comments made by me are known to the State of California to cause irreversible brain damage and serious mental disorders leading to confinement.
|
|
|
Forums84
Topics94,384
Posts639,240
Members49,799
|
Most Online5,661 May 23rd, 2018
|
|
0 members (),
118
guests, and
79
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|