Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Oddvar on March 02, 2019, 09:38:29 am

Title: Lost in the relays...
Post by: Oddvar on March 02, 2019, 09:38:29 am
Hi.  I am building a Dumble OD from layout #183.  Relays are new to me, and since the build and some of the layouts are different, I wonder where the 12v actually go into them, since the relay boards differ a bit differnt. One shows both negative and positive, but the other shows only one?
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: tubenit on March 02, 2019, 09:41:41 am
I don't know the answer to your question.  There may or may not be an answer to this in the lengthy ARCHIVES thread on relays which has some good schematic, layout and photo information. However, it may not be specific enough for your question.

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=14348.0

I am wondering if the top photo simply has a wire underneath the relays (not shown) going to ground also?

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: Oddvar on March 02, 2019, 10:06:38 am
One answer could be:

"Positive power is shared between all relays in the amp.  Then the other side of the diode is what is switched to ground (either by toggle or footswitch) to activate the relay switching."

But why is one different from the other?
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: shooter on March 02, 2019, 10:36:10 am
I'm gonna guess a drawing error since to engage a relay you need both b+ and ground, either can be the "switch" for relay on/off.  virtually all DC relays with have a blocking diode in parallel with the relay coil, the cathode is where you apply +, anode - . 
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: Oddvar on March 02, 2019, 11:22:03 am
This shows +/- going in.

https://el34world.com/projects/relay_switch.htm
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: shooter on March 02, 2019, 11:39:10 am
yup, as it should be, and in the example, - is used for switching on/off.
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: sluckey on March 02, 2019, 11:43:48 am
DC+ goes to the cathode of the diode. If you have three relays, string the +DC to the cathode of the diode on all three relay boards.

DC- goes to a switch and the other side of the switch goes to the anode of the diode. If you have three switches that all operate from a single switch, then string the other side of the switch to the anode of all three relay boards.

But if all three relays operate from three different switches, connect DC- to one side of all three switches and connect the other side of each switch to the anode of the diode on the appropriate board.
Title: Re: Lost in the relays...
Post by: Oddvar on March 02, 2019, 01:19:58 pm
Only two relays.