Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: eleventeen on August 27, 2010, 07:33:15 pm

Title: A discovery...or am I mistaken...?
Post by: eleventeen on August 27, 2010, 07:33:15 pm
To achieve a nominal B+ voltage from a too-low-volts power transformer with no CT, a voltage doubler is indicated.

On a salvaged power transformer from a full-wave set (like an old TV power transformer) it's pretty much a given that you'll not find a bias tap, hence you'd normally take a leg of the HV secondary, throw in a reverse diode, work out a sufficent dropping resistor, and make your negative voltage.

But you cannot do both!

You can't grab one of the HV output legs of a non-center-tap power transformer and make a bias supply using a reverse-biased (eg; "backwards") diode IF your B+ circuit is a voltage doubler.

In other words (or symbols, actually) THIS WILL NOT WORK! 

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/v_dub_no_go.jpg)
Title: Re: A discovery...or am I mistaken...?
Post by: Ritchie200 on August 27, 2010, 08:09:38 pm
Can't you just pull it of the leg before the doubler?  Or am I mistaken!  Someone else weigh in please!
Jim
Title: Re: A discovery...or am I mistaken...?
Post by: Dave on August 27, 2010, 08:24:58 pm
Any of the Bogen CHB amps did it.

Dave
Title: Re: A discovery...or am I mistaken...?
Post by: eleventeen on August 27, 2010, 09:14:22 pm
Dave, you're absolutely right. I knew it had been done somewhere. Must be that .22 cap separating the voltage double from the bias section.

http://schematicheaven.com/hifiamps/bogen_chb100.pdf

^^^^^^^^^^^
Update: It worked!
Title: Re: A discovery...or am I mistaken...?
Post by: bluesbear on August 27, 2010, 10:42:46 pm
This looks like a job for cathode biasing!
Dave