Is it safe to use my 5C1 as an OD pedal?

[rp]

It already has a line out, I'm thinking of adding an 8Ω 25W chassis mount resistor to the output jack switch. Will this really be safe for my nice OT (Edcor 5K-10W)? Even running the Champ flat-out for hours?

Anyone ever do it? Worth the experiment?

[martin manning]

There's no practical difference between that and playing it through the speaker as far as the OT is concerned. Where's the line out, and how is it configured?

[rp]

Where's the line out, and how is it configured?

Right off the output jack, 2700Ω w/ 470Ω to ground.

I was wondering if the non-inductive load of the resistor vs the inductive load of the speaker will stress out or kill the OT with hard driving over time. Just to be clear the plan is to use the Champ as a crazy ass tubed OD into an other amp. Guess it's just an attenuator but I've seen attenuators kill amps. This whole thing might be a terrible idea that just makes a horrible noise but I heard it could be done.

It's the amp below. I can do an Crocodile Dundee, "That's not an OD pedal, this is an OD pedal..."

[rdjones]

I was wondering if the non-inductive load of the resistor vs the inductive load of the speaker will stress out or kill the OT with hard driving over time. Just to be clear the plan is to use the Champ as a crazy ass tubed OD into an other amp. Guess it's just an attenuator but I've seen attenuators kill amps. This whole thing might be a terrible idea that just makes a horrible noise but I heard it could be done.

I'm thinking that the purely resistive load will be easier on the OT.
However, without the actual speaker's sound to use as a guide as to how hard you are (over)driving the amp, yes, you will be tempted to push things.
That looks like a fairly heavy OT, not the usual Champ item.

Also, is that an 8 ohms secondary ?
My Champ is 3.2 ohm output.

rd

[rp]

Also, is that an 8 ohms secondary ?
My Champ is 3.2 ohm output.rd

Yup this one's 8Ω only. Sadly, Edcor doesn't do multi taps on the small OTs. I chose 8, figured I wouldn't be driving a 4Ω 2x12, and pounds for watts Edocr gives you your money's worth.

Guess it can't hurt to try, I need to order a big R and report back on my Flash Gordon pedal.

[martin manning]

Some notes from some people who sell attenuators: http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm The danger is not from the attenuator itself but, as rd says, you can easily operate the amp at a much higher power than you normally would. This can lead to unexpected tube failures and the colateral damage that can include screen resistors and posibly the OT.