Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: isaac_teller on February 15, 2024, 07:07:50 am

Title: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: isaac_teller on February 15, 2024, 07:07:50 am
Hello. I'm building a clone of a Bogen CHB10A circuit which uses a voltage doubler. The input jack is isolated from the chassis and so is the ground buss. The only connection between the buss and the chassis is a .047 class x capacitor. Is this the correct way to implement a voltage doubler? If I connect the buss in the usual way(only input end grounded) the fuse blows immediately. Thank you


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Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: sluckey on February 15, 2024, 09:02:14 am
There should be no problem connect the ground buss to chassis. I suspect you have some other issue. Maybe a wiring error.
Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: WimWalther on February 15, 2024, 11:27:31 am
So does this amp run a cutthroat doubler, straight off of the AC mains?

I'm thinking it must, otherwise your questions don't make much sense to me.

Btw, X-type caps are meant to go across an AC line pair. Y-type are used, sometimes in pairs, between one AC phase and ground.
Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: isaac_teller on February 15, 2024, 11:38:45 am
No. There is a power transformer(135 volt doubled to 270 giving about 380 unloaded). I've since solved the problem(the fuse was way too small for the amp). Got rid of the X-cap also.
Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: shooter on February 15, 2024, 12:42:09 pm
Quote
fuse was way too small for the amp
once you make your way to the all-steel fuse, the problems become self evident :icon_biggrin: 
Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: WimWalther on February 15, 2024, 04:19:54 pm
Quote
fuse was way too small for the amp
once you make your way to the all-steel fuse, the problems become self evident :icon_biggrin:

I suggest going straight for the piece of copper tubing, though the "blown fuse wrapped in foil" deserves a mention.
Title: Re: Voltage doubler grounding
Post by: WimWalther on February 15, 2024, 04:24:50 pm
No. There is a power transformer(135 volt doubled to 270 giving about 380 unloaded). I've since solved the problem(the fuse was way too small for the amp). Got rid of the X-cap also.

Huh, really. In that case, I don't know what was stopping them from simply tying the negative side of the caps to chassis.

Fisher used an xfmr full-wave doubler supply in their Philharmonic consoles, and they were tied directly to chassis like any other PSU.