Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: dezmoduo on March 24, 2017, 05:11:02 pm

Title: Adding Relays
Post by: dezmoduo on March 24, 2017, 05:11:02 pm

I'm just getting around to adding 2 relays to my  D'lite build a few years ago. It was my first scratch build and for some reason I thought including relays was going to be too complex. Or whatever. Its a great amp (6L6) and I want to use it more on gigs, so relays are a must.

I purchased 2 of the Hoffman relays with sockets, lugs and board. The power transformer has 5V taps taped off already, so no power supply needed.

The question is simple & I think I know the answer BUT before I get wrist deep I like to have a plan. With the relay horizontal, diode to the left, the hot lug would be on the bottom, which winds up closest to the preamp board. The routing of the wires in and out have the hot on the top side. I know its a small logistic molehill but I'm know for my ability to build mountains. 

Cut to chase: Can I reverse the diode and have the relay operate with the 5V hot on the top edge? My thought is the relay coil won't care. My installation becomes just a little straight forward.

I can do some tests with the chassis on my desk but less fooling about with a live amp saves me dividends on laundry detergent and anti antiperspirant.

Thank you,
Dez
NYC

(4 successful builds and loving them all)

Title: Re: Adding Relays
Post by: shooter on March 24, 2017, 06:08:05 pm

Quote

Can I reverse the diode and have the relay operate with the 5V hot on the top edge

If it looks like the image, which leg of the relay coil doesn't matter

Title: Re: Adding Relays
Post by: Beezerboy on March 25, 2017, 01:23:08 am

I don't think the relay is polarity sensitive but I would test it to be sure.  just clip power to the x1 & x2 pins & see if it clicks, then reverse the power.  leave the diode out for testing. the diode is spike suppression, so it needs to be reverse bias when installed

Title: Re: Adding Relays
Post by: dezmoduo on March 25, 2017, 02:48:47 pm

Thank you. Easy enough.

Dez
NYC

Title: Re: Adding Relays
Post by: dezmoduo on March 26, 2017, 10:19:45 pm

With the diode in place, I'd already started the relay board assembly, the 5v test activated the relay in only one position, and that just how its going to stay. I wired up flying leads to the two relay boards based on the working orientation.

Dez
NYC