DIY Attenuator

[Aentons]

I put together this attenuator for my AC30 using a Parts Express 16ohm 100w L-pad. This is my first experience with any power soak type stuff.

It was tougher than I thought to get it in a 125B with all the 14 gauge wire. I had to sand the sides of the L-pad to get it to fit. I used a couple layers of thermal paste with an extra aluminum plate between the L-pad and the enclosure face for maximum contact.

After burning it in for a bit on some milder settings, I cranked the AC30 all the way up and put the attenuator dial almost all the way down. It gets pretty hot, but I think it's manageable. It got a little smokey at a couple of points, but I think that's normal for new ones

The left switch is for 2 treble bleed caps. I used a 2.2u and  4.7u. I can't hear a difference with either. I'll prob trade them out later.

[jessenator]

That's pretty slick!

I've been thinking about making one so I can enjoy an amp a friend built for me and still have hearing at the end of the day. Is 14 the thinnest you'd go for this application? I have a mess of 18 awg, but don't want to risk it if it can't handle it.

Alsa, do you think the heat would be enough to warp something like a 3d-printed enclosure? My amp is ~20 amps so a slim amount less heat than your AC30, I'm guessing.

[Aentons]

That's pretty slick!

I've been thinking about making one so I can enjoy an amp a friend built for me and still have hearing at the end of the day. Is 14 the thinnest you'd go for this application? I have a mess of 18 awg, but don't want to risk it if it can't handle it.

Alsa, do you think the heat would be enough to warp something like a 3d-printed enclosure? My amp is ~20 amps so a slim amount less heat than your AC30, I'm guessing.

Any kind of plastic enclosure would just melt pretty fast. The enclosure acts as a heat sink so you definitely want aluminum.

I went as large as I could on wire because I read up on all the horror stories of wire sleeves and solder joints melting. I'm not sure 18 gauge would handle it.

If you are just doing a little attenuation then the heat is not that bad. It's when you get really low that things start to get hot.

[Bio77]

That looks cool!  Do you think it'd burn through the floor if I used it with my 60W Deville 

[Aentons]

That looks cool!  Do you think it'd burn through the floor if I used it with my 60W Deville 

Probably, yes