Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: jaster55 on December 23, 2016, 11:54:01 pm

Title: Initial Bias adjustments
Post by: jaster55 on December 23, 2016, 11:54:01 pm
This is my first Hoffman build. I just finished a princeton reverb and after thoroughly checking everything over I am about to fire it up...
I am a bit confused on how to set the negative bias voltage to max.The instructions say turn the bias pot so that pin 5 on the power tubes has the most negative voltage. I'm sure the reading is taken between pin 5 and ground but it doesn't indicate that in the article and I just want to be sure.
Title: Re: Initial Bias adjustments
Post by: Raybob on December 24, 2016, 12:52:36 am
Clip your (+) meter probe to pin 5, (-) to ground, power it up with no tubes, turn the control, and you will read in your meter, which direction is more negative.

Edit:
Never mind.  Your first build should be powered up with light bulb limiter.  You might have a firework display there.  Use your meter reading ohms from pin 5 to ground.  Turn the pot and see which direction goes more to ground.  That is the least negative direction.
Title: Re: Initial Bias adjustments
Post by: HotBluePlates on December 24, 2016, 07:25:47 am
... I am a bit confused on how to set the negative bias voltage to max. ...

Look at your bias pot/trimpot.  When you adjust it, you can probably visualize where the wiper travels along the resistive path when the pot/trimpot is turned.

Turn the pot/trimpot so the wiper is at the end closest to the bias diode.  That will be maximum negative voltage.