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1RMX0001 Rev. B
Title: Q205 Lead Stress
Bulletin #: RMX0001 Issue Date: May 15, 2002
Models Affected: RMX 2450 Bulletin Revision: B
Production Range: 01/2000–05/2002 (serial # 0100xxxxx–0502xxxxx)
Service Bulletin
Description
Driver transistor Q205 in the RMX 2450 may have been inserted into the circuit board with the leads too taut, causing one or
more of them to break when subjected to vibration and strain caused by handling and other normal usage.
This bulletin describes the procedure for removing the old transistor and replacing it with one whose leads have been
prepped to provide a sufficient amount of strain relief.
In this new revision of the bulletin, we also recommend removal of the
circuit board mounting screws that are closest to transistors Q105 and Q205, even if the amplifier’s transistor leads are not
damaged, in order to allow the circuit board to flex more and thus put less stress on the transistor leads.
Symptoms
After the amplifier is turned on, channel 2’s clip LED lights constantly or intermittently, regardless of signal.
Instructions
Replacing transistor Q205 requires removal of the amplifier’s top cover and some minor disassembly. No circuit boards need
to be removed.
Tools and materials required:
• Soldering iron with fine tip (recommended range 25 to 60 W)
• Rosin-core solder (60/40 or 63/37 eutectic type)
• Long-nose pliers
• #1 and #2 Philips screwdrivers
• Small diagonal cutters
• Desoldering equipment or solder braid
• One prepped MJE15032 transistor (see Figure 1) per RMX 2450 amplifier
Test equipment required:
• Oscilloscope
• 2-ohm resistive load (rated for at least 1200 watts)
• AC ammeter
• Variable AC transformer—e.g., Variac, Powerstat, etc.—rated for 25A (120V) or 12A (230V). Make sure the amplifier and
your AC supply are compatible.
• 1 kHz audio sine wave generator
• Digital multimeter
• Trimpot adjustment tool (non-conductive)
Procedure: Removing mounting screws
1. Disconnect the amplifier from AC and wait at least 10 minutes for internal voltages to bleed down. Remove the screws
(thirteen #8 screws on the sides and four #4 screws on the top) from the top cover of the chassis. Lift the rear edge of
the cover until you can unhook the front edge from the chassis, then remove the cover.
2. Locate transistor Q205. As viewed from the front of the amplifier, Q205 is attached to the left side of the heat sink and is
the transistor nearest to the front faceplate.
3. There is a multi-pin connector, J204, joining a ribbon cable to the circuit board next to Q205. Disconnect it from the
board to provide better access to the transistor.
4. Remove the mounting screw next to Q205 that fastens the circuit board to the chassis standoff. Also remove the screw
next to Q105 on the other channel module. These screws will be left out when you reassemble the amplifier.
Figure 1. Replacement
MJE15032, with leads
prepped for strain relief