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02-24-2024, 12:32 AM
Hi Guys
Here's where you have a set of completely opposite expectations.
PV is vertically-oriented company, meaning they make their own PCBs, wind there own transformers, make their own chassis, they do all the stuff from as basic a level as is practical, all the way up to assembly, shipping, an designing everything. They carefully design the production procedures to make money and the balance between that and having things be durable or last a long time are at odds with each other.
So, on the one hand, you would expect them to design their stuff to last as long as is "reasonable" - not necessarily a long time, but long enough that people do not have an impression that "those don't last". On the other hand, they want you to trade up and buy a newer PV product, suggesting that the first one definitely should not last too long. They are not going to do anything that has not proven to be absolutely necessary as far as toughness of the assembly is concerned.
It used to be that 2-ounce copper was the industry standard, but this is now at half the value. Traces are thinner, and of course boards can be many different thicknesses: 1/16th inch used to be standard but again thinner is becoming more usual, especially if the boards are covered in surface-mount components and/or nothing of much weight. Following this, solder connections become smaller and life expectancy deteriorates.
PV cannot blame "cheap Chinese PCBs" that traces lift from since they make them themselves. Besides, as far as Chinese parts go - or sourced from any country other than your own - you can get fantastic quality or poor depending on who you buy from.
How old is this amp? It is probably well past when PV thought it should be scrapped.
When dealing with any PCB, you have to follow the soldering advice given in our Tech Articles. NEVER try to remove components by removing the solder first. ALWAYS add copious amounts of fresh solder and pull the part wet, then add more solder to clear the holes. I've used power desoldering tools and frankly do not like them at all. Nothing works better than a Soldapult.
Here's where you have a set of completely opposite expectations.
PV is vertically-oriented company, meaning they make their own PCBs, wind there own transformers, make their own chassis, they do all the stuff from as basic a level as is practical, all the way up to assembly, shipping, an designing everything. They carefully design the production procedures to make money and the balance between that and having things be durable or last a long time are at odds with each other.
So, on the one hand, you would expect them to design their stuff to last as long as is "reasonable" - not necessarily a long time, but long enough that people do not have an impression that "those don't last". On the other hand, they want you to trade up and buy a newer PV product, suggesting that the first one definitely should not last too long. They are not going to do anything that has not proven to be absolutely necessary as far as toughness of the assembly is concerned.
It used to be that 2-ounce copper was the industry standard, but this is now at half the value. Traces are thinner, and of course boards can be many different thicknesses: 1/16th inch used to be standard but again thinner is becoming more usual, especially if the boards are covered in surface-mount components and/or nothing of much weight. Following this, solder connections become smaller and life expectancy deteriorates.
PV cannot blame "cheap Chinese PCBs" that traces lift from since they make them themselves. Besides, as far as Chinese parts go - or sourced from any country other than your own - you can get fantastic quality or poor depending on who you buy from.
How old is this amp? It is probably well past when PV thought it should be scrapped.
When dealing with any PCB, you have to follow the soldering advice given in our Tech Articles. NEVER try to remove components by removing the solder first. ALWAYS add copious amounts of fresh solder and pull the part wet, then add more solder to clear the holes. I've used power desoldering tools and frankly do not like them at all. Nothing works better than a Soldapult.
