Ceriatone Express Build Questions - Warning, Newbie at work

[pdrie]

I've been resisting temptation long enough. This forum is an amazing resource, and I appreciate all of the information that you more (OK, much more) experienced builders have shared regarding Wrecks. I just have to build something! I just received my Ceriatone Express kit and need answers to a few simple questions. I removed the masking from the chassis. What is the best solvent/cleaner to remove the residue? I also am wondering what the best way is to attach the power supply caps. Trainwrecks appear to use some kind of adhesive. What do you/have you used to mount the caps.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Paul

[Broz]

Hot glue gun works well.
Broz

[pdrie]

Thanks for the help and the quick reply.

Paul

[tubetek]

Pdrie-
Welcome!
Personally, I use RTV (silicone) neutral-cure to "glue" the large components to the boards; It remains flexible and damps vibration well. If you can't find the neutral-cure stuff the regular cure stuff works fine also, but you MUST NOT seal the amp up until the rank smell of the curing dissipates (2-3 days) I think the fumes given off by the cure are somewhat corrosive in an enclosed space. As for cleaning the chassis, I'd Email Nic and ask him what he uses in-house. Nic's a great guy and He'll respond promptly.
Enjoy the obsession!
tubetek

[paulruby]

Hot glue gun works well.
Broz

Don't use hot glue. Amps run hot. So guess what will eventually happen to hot glue...

Use silicone based sealer or RTV cement (which is also silicone based).

[gearhead]

I've got Ceriatone chassis, and believe he recommended WD-40. I'd check with him tho; Nik replies very quickly! I used whatever he said, and worked great.

[pdrie]

Thanks for the replies. Nik suggested WD40 to clean the chassis. He also said that he uses a hot glue gun for the caps. He uses the glue to hold them together and said that the wiring will hold them in place. I'm going to use 400 deg F silicone sealer. I've seen some amps get pretty hot inside a cabinet.

I apprecaite all of the help and the wealth of information that everyone has shared on the forums.

Regards,

Paul

[Fischerman]

Just my opinion but why build your own amp and then use RTV to secure your filter caps...not to mention 'piling' them up so that if one fails on the bottom you have this big mess to dig through? I guess one could argue that if you're going to change one you should change them all but still...RTV in your custom amp? Seems so easy to just make another board and mount them to it...only requires a few eyelets/turrets. This is an item that will require removal at some point in the amp's life so I don't understand not taking a small amount of time to make it easier to do so.

PS - I realize that RTV can be good for securing things and damping vibration but I just was never crazy about it's use in this particular case.

[gearhead]

If you do a trainwreck express copy, Ken stacked them too. Don't know if he glued or siliconed them in, but that's the topology he used.

[Scott_F]

Just get some terminal strips and mount them that way. Seems like a cleaner arrangement.