Fender Passport PAs

In particular, the Passport PD250.

All of them are horrible (Chinese made) things, but this one has a trap for first timers.

The SMPS will not start if you use a variac to ramp up the AC supply.

So, if you are told that a unit does not operate and do the usual bench test with a variac first - the story seems confirmed.

Big mistake.

... Phil

Fender Passports are on my "don't even bother looking" list along with Mark Bass power amps. Horrible heaps of junk.

Gareth.

"Gareth Magennis"

Fender Australia have big trouble finding ANYONE prepared to do warranty service on them.

Particularly as the max fee allowed is that for one hour.

.... Phil

for

test

Mark

I've repaired 3 Mark Bass, that have not bounced back . At least from a combined effort on this board a while back , we now know the workable identity of the ground-off PS supervisors as being IR2153 or pinning equivalent. I'd prefer Mark Bass to Yamaha StagePas as at least a bit more space to play around in.

You're a better (and more persistant) man than I am Gunga Cook.

I can't be arsed faffing for hours with that kind of stuff.

Gareth.