Zapco 360.4 takes 5 to 15 minutes to turn on

[nutman99]

Why does it take so long to come on? is there an internal breaker?
Thanks

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[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Why does it take so long to come on? is there an internal breaker?
Thanks

Older amps like this one have a relay. It may be a cracked solder joint that warms up until it finally expands enough to make contact. Doing a visual inspection may be difficult because cracked solder joints are sometimes so thin that you cannot see them. Best bet would be to hit every solder joint with a soldering iron on the power input side. Not something everyone can do so you may take it to a tv repair tech. I honestly cannot think of another reason for said issue.

 

[Kickstand Premium Member]

Caps could be going as well
Take the cover off and look for scorch or black marks

 

[nutman99]

Thanks,
No black or scorched marks.
I resoldered the power connections and no luck there either.
Thanks I keep looking

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Thanks I keep looking

Not just the power connections, tap every solder point on the power input side that you can.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Thanks I keep looking

Just read an review about faulty switches in these amps. Try wiggling them when amp is on, see if there is a change.

 

[nutman99]

Still no luck.
I let it sit and 15 minuets later it works.
Thanks

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Still no luck.
I let it sit and 15 minuets later it works.
Thanks

Yours is not the glossy black one is it? The one I had must of been a first generation. Looking at gut pics I see the gray/silver/white ones have solid state relays. I would leave this to a repair tech. These are nice amps worth fixing.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

It has to be related to current flow causing heating then expansion of metal. I think you’re seeing low voltage initially at some point in the amp, even though the circuit is complete. Seems to me something is having to heat up to close a gap.

Idk if this amp has fuses or not, but bad fuses can cause this issue. You may replace your power wire fuse and check your power and ground connections, ring terminals, etc.