Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: joesatch on February 11, 2022, 10:27:21 am

Title: 6vdc heaters?
Post by: joesatch on February 11, 2022, 10:27:21 am

I'm familiar and have seen 12vdc heaters used but not familiar with running 6vdc heaters (valve wizard describes) off the heater supply. Is this a good idea? If so, why do folks buy transformers for 12vdc heaters?

Title: Re: 6vdc heaters?
Post by: uki on February 11, 2022, 04:27:14 pm

Probably because the type of tubes used in tube amps for guitar and bass, I've on seen only one device using tubes that use 6v, a reel-to-reel recorder.

Title: Re: 6vdc heaters?
Post by: pdf64 on February 11, 2022, 05:02:05 pm

DC requires rectification and smoothing, perhaps even regulation. Each of those functions requires heavier duty / beefier parts as the DC current draw increases.
For a given number of active devices, if their heaters are arranged for 6V, they’ll draw twice the current as at 12V.