Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: worth on June 11, 2012, 11:41:03 am

Title: resistor wattage ?
Post by: worth on June 11, 2012, 11:41:03 am
I'm using a 175 ohm 10W resistor to drop 30v from the B+. I'd like to raise the wattage rating.. can  I do that by using two resistors in series or parallel ? Two 350 ohm in parallel , or two 90 ohm in series ? Also , what is a good method of using the chassis as a heatsink to dissipate the heat from this sag resistor ?
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: sluckey on June 11, 2012, 12:03:56 pm
Quote
I'm using a 175 ohm 10W resistor to drop 30v from the B+. I'd like to raise the wattage rating.. can  I do that by using two resistors in series or parallel ? Two 350 ohm in parallel , or two 90 ohm in series ?
Yes. However, a 175 ohm resistor that is dropping 30V is only dissipating 5.14 watts. A 10 watter should be fine. Just give it plenty of space (air).

Quote
Also , what is a good method of using the chassis as a heatsink to dissipate the heat from this sag resistor ?
Most of the resistors we deal with are air cooled. To use the chassis as a heat sink requires using a style resistor meant for that purpose. Look here for an example...

http://www.vishay.com/docs/30201/30201.pdf (http://www.vishay.com/docs/30201/30201.pdf)
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: Willabe on June 12, 2012, 01:07:53 am
To add to sluckeys words, part of "space" is/can be to lift the R up off the board into the air so air can flow _all_ the way around the R.  

Remember heat rises, so take into consideration how the amps mounted, ie, combo or head style.


                  
                           Brad       :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: stratele52 on June 12, 2012, 03:53:33 am
I'm using a 175 ohm 10W resistor to drop 30v from the B+. I'd like to raise the wattage rating.. can  I do that by using two resistors in series or parallel ? Two 350 ohm in parallel , or two 90 ohm in series ? Also , what is a good method of using the chassis as a heatsink to dissipate the heat from this sag resistor ?

Using a resistor to drop the B + is not good , you'll have too much sag from the amp .The B+ will drop at higher volume .You are better to use some 10 volts zener diodes like 1N5347B , less than $1 us each. You probably need 4 diodes.

Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: worth on June 12, 2012, 08:53:18 am
This is the amp that I want to drop the B+ on... where would be the best place to install the Zeners , between the SS rectifier and the B+ ?
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: John on June 12, 2012, 01:15:40 pm
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11506.0 (http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11506.0)

There is a great topic on dropping voltage using reverse zeners. You actually hook them to the CT of the PT in reverse, thereby lowering the "zero" voltage to -30v or whatever you want it to be. Reply #34 has a nice picture by Geezer. The zeners do get hot though, I believe that thread also has good heat sink info. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: sluckey on June 12, 2012, 01:31:31 pm
Quote
You actually hook them to the CT
Not on this amp. Just put the zener whereever you had the resistor.
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: John on June 12, 2012, 02:06:15 pm
Oops, sorry. Didn't look at the schem.
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: stratele52 on June 12, 2012, 04:58:17 pm
The zener must be connected just after the rectifier and the other end ( of the zener ) to the ground. Low voltage 5 watts diode don't need heatsink.

Like I write before , I use 1N5347B
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: sluckey on June 12, 2012, 07:24:52 pm
Quote
The zener must be connected just after the rectifier and the other end ( of the zener ) to the ground.
Show me a schematic.
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: stratele52 on June 13, 2012, 04:16:19 am
For a schematic using zener diodes, look there ;

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/trainwreck/wreckxpr.pdf (http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/trainwreck/wreckxpr.pdf)

Look at this version on the middle of all these pages;
 
The Blues Express
Version A5h
Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: sluckey on June 13, 2012, 05:29:44 am
Quote
The zener must be connected just after the rectifier and the other end ( of the zener ) to the ground. Low voltage 5 watts diode don't need heatsink.
Specifically, connect zener between the negative side of your bridge and ground. Or put it in the same place as your resistor.

Title: Re: resistor wattage ?
Post by: stratele52 on June 13, 2012, 06:12:40 am
Quote
The zener must be connected just after the rectifier and the other end ( of the zener ) to the ground. Low voltage 5 watts diode don't need heatsink.
Specifically, connect zener between the negative side of your bridge and ground. Or put it in the same place as your resistor.



You are right , I made a mistake when I write this.  The Trainwreck schematic show the right way and excuse my error ?