Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: punkykatt on February 11, 2018, 05:59:03 pm

Title: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 11, 2018, 05:59:03 pm
Hello all, a friend of mine asked me to install a pentode/triode switch in his VHT 36 watt head.  In the triode mode  I get a low pitch hum, in pentode its fine. The switch is located on the back panel right between the four  EL84`s and all wire runs a short as possible. Attached is a schematic how I have the switch wired.  Has anyone else had this problem?  Thanks in advance for any help or comments.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: sluckey on February 11, 2018, 06:20:34 pm
Swap the two wires on the center lugs of the switch.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 12, 2018, 08:08:17 am
Thank you Steve.  still have the hum in triode mode. 
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: VMS on February 12, 2018, 08:52:23 am
Just thinking out loud here but maybe the noise in triode mode is because b+1 node has less filtering than B+2 node  :dontknow:
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: shooter on February 12, 2018, 08:55:33 am
Maybe also just hardwire triode mode for testing to eliminate wire noise :dontknow:
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 12, 2018, 09:01:40 am
VMS, I tried clipping in a 33uf/450v  over the 1st filter cap to make 66uf no change in hum.   I have put  Pentode /triode switches in other amps but they either had 6V6`s or 6L6`s with no problems.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 12, 2018, 12:01:39 pm
Found the source of the hum in triode mode.  The quad of el84`s  were not matched very well   one pair was drawing almost twice the currant of the other pair.  I put in my test quad  of JJ`s , hum gone.  Im glad I built  bias checkers for el84`s.  Thanks to all for your replies.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: tubeswell on February 12, 2018, 12:05:39 pm
Yep it helps to have quads that are reasonably closely matched (same with sextets  :huh: )
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: sluckey on February 12, 2018, 12:11:39 pm
Swap the two wires on the center lugs of the switch.
Did you leave these wires swapped? I mentioned it because your schematic shows them crossed.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 12, 2018, 01:54:07 pm
Steve, I have to correct that schematic. The screens are connected to the wrong plates in that schematic.
Title: Re: EL84 amp hum in triode mode
Post by: punkykatt on February 12, 2018, 02:01:06 pm
Corrected schematic