I need to replace the fuse in an Elka Rhapsody 490 to see if I can get it working. Not familiar with fuses in these. Do I need to get the exact same one? If not, which are the important numbers on it? Can I get these at Walmart or do I need a specialty store? The fuse I took out says, “OMEGA T500mA 250V”. Not even sure if the this is proper fuse for this machine. It was added later.
For those who want the full story, keep reading. Picked up an Elka Rhapsody 490 at an auction for $1.00. The fuse housing was broken off in the back. I opened it up and saw that someone had jerry rigged another fuse housing and just laid it inside the synth. If the blown fuse is the problem, I just got a great deal on this keyboard. If not, I’m only out a buck. Any help would be appreaciated.
These are greath synths, you got a steal on it for sure. You’ll definitely want to figure out a safer way to mount the fuse. That fuse carries the 120V mains voltage so if that were to come into contact with the metal chassis you could be electrocuted.
Besides all that though, referring to the service manual which can be found with Google, I believe you’re looking at F2 in the power supply which they only specify as a 500 mA fuse. There are three characteristics that specify a fuse: voltage, current and speed at which it blows. You need a fuse rated for 120 V or higher and exactly 500 mA (never go higher with the current rating).
The tricky part is they didn’t specify whether it’s a fast, medium or slow blow fuse. All of these different types are used in synth power supplies so it’s hard to know which is right. The one physically in your synth is a T500mA and the T means it’s a slow blow. Whether this was the right substitution or not is hard to say. My advice would be to buy a few fast and slow fuses and try fast ones first. If the fast ones blow every time then something is up with the synth or you need a slow blow.
Another note: these synths are getting pretty old so it would be good to restore the power supply and test it disconnected from the rest of the synth to make sure it is outputting the proper voltages. Those electrolytic capacitors in there are nearing 50 years old if they’re original, much past their lifespan.
I actually have one of these at home that I’m restoring soon. I checked the fuse in mine and it only said 500mA 250V, no indication of fuse speed. Looks to me like a fast blow though, it has a very thin wire running through it.