Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 10:59:31 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+  (Read 3574 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline fiftynine

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« on: July 16, 2011, 02:06:24 am »
Why do modern power transformers, even from different manufacturers give voltages that are always too high? I've just fitted a Mojotone export tap PT to a 66 Vibrolux Reverb and I'm getting nearly 355v at the rectifier off the 240v tap. OK, so there's 244v at the wall but I should see 315v and the extra 4v domestic doesn't account for the whole 45v.

It's not difficult to wind a tranny to spit out the right voltages. What's going on?

Are we expected to carry a variac around?

Offline VMS

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 739
  • I love tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2011, 04:26:00 am »
If this is the PT you are talking about, then the 355V is as specified:

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/transformers-blackface-power/Blackface-Vibrolux-Tremolux-Power-Transformer-Export-Taps.html


Also, AA964 is the only schematic that shows 315VAC. AB568 and other schematics that have the same PT show 345VAC.


Offline fiftynine

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2011, 10:15:56 am »
Thanks, that's clear. I need the AA864 schematic but can't find it.

Offline phsyconoodler

  • SMG
  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 4679
  • honey badger don't give a ****
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2011, 02:33:49 pm »
It's right here in the library of schematics.Scroll up and find it.It's there. AA864
Honey badger don't give a ****

Offline fiftynine

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2011, 06:32:40 pm »
Phsyc, I just read AA864 was plastered all over Vibrolux tube charts but no schematic was released. I can only find 964 but I'll go with that.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2011, 06:28:12 pm by fiftynine »

Offline jeff

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1238
  • Need input
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2011, 08:18:59 pm »
Are you saying the B+ is high or the AC at the rectifier tube is high?

 If the AC at the rect is right but the DC is higher it may be the rect tube. Not sure what you're using but if it's a 5Y3 don't use a Sovtek 5Y3. I had the same higher than expected voltage  problem when I started building and it was almost enough to make me give up.

I've heard that Sovtek 5Y3's are really another tube(5V4??) marked 5Y3, and not a true 5Y3. I tried two Sovtek's before I got bought a couple of brands of N.O.S. 5Y3's. Every N.O.S. I tried voltages are what they should be while both the Sovtek 5Y3's I tried in the same amp, the voltages are too high.

Even if it's not a 5Y3 you're using, if it's a Sovtek, I'd try a N.O.S.
If the AC is the same as on the schematic but the DC isn't that's what I'd try.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2011, 08:34:51 pm by jeff »

Offline fiftynine

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2011, 06:26:10 pm »
Jeff, It's solved since it was pointed out I should have 345v, not 315. I was working off an earlier schematic. I actually have 355 but expect that little extra.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2011, 06:29:36 pm by fiftynine »

Offline fiftynine

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 151
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Wall voltages are not purely to blame for high B+
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2011, 01:28:34 pm »
Sorry, wrong thread.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2011, 01:31:39 pm by fiftynine »

 


Choose a link from the
Hoffman Amplifiers parts catalog
Mobile Device
Catalog Link
Yard Sale
Discontinued
Misc. Hardware
What's New Board Building
 Parts
Amp trim
Handles
Lamps
Diodes
Hoffman Turret
 Boards
Channel
Switching
Resistors Fender Eyelet
 Boards
Screws/Nuts
Washers
Jacks/Plugs
Connectors
Misc Eyelet
Boards
Tools
Capacitors Custom Boards
Tubes
Valves
Pots
Knobs
Fuses/Cords Chassis
Tube
Sockets
Switches Wire
Cable


Handy Links
Tube Amp Library
Tube Amp
Schematics library
Design a custom Eyelet or
Turret Board
DIY Layout Creator
File analyzer program
DIY Layout Creator
File library
Transformer Wiring
Diagrams
Hoffmanamps
Facebook page
Hoffman Amplifiers
Discount Program