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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: SE- screen higher than plate  (Read 3363 times)

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Offline John

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SE- screen higher than plate
« on: March 01, 2012, 08:33:16 am »
Hi fellas, on that SE I built, the plate is @315, screen is @330 on a 6V6. Question is, should I try swapping the OT leads to see if that makes a difference, or really not worry much about it? The amp sounds great,which I figure is the biggest indicator.

Updated schem attached- I did give the screen and OT their own separate supply node.
Tapping into the inner tube.

Offline sluckey

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Re: SE- screen higher than plate
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2012, 09:33:20 am »
Quote
Question is, should I try swapping the OT leads to see if that makes a difference, or really not worry much about it?
Swapping the OT leads wont change anything.

Quote
Updated schem attached- I did give the screen and OT their own separate supply node.
Hmmm, your schematic shows them both on the same node. Lot's of SE amps use the same B+ node.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline John

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Re: SE- screen higher than plate
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2012, 09:38:43 am »
Dang, wrong one, sorry!

right one attached.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2012, 09:44:54 am by John »
Tapping into the inner tube.

Offline jjasilli

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  • Took the power supply test. . . got a B+
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Re: SE- screen higher than plate
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2012, 10:08:49 am »
Probably "normal".  At idle the plate is drawing current, but the screen is drawing closer to -0- current.  Per Ohm's law, current draw produces a voltage drop.  The plate voltage is also dropped by the resistance of the OT primary.  The screen is pulling it's negligible current through a choke.  The choke probably has only 500R of DC resistance or maybe much less.  Hence the B+ supply voltage to the screen won't drop much, but the plate's will drop more.  Note that the Fender Champ uses a 1K dropping resistor to the screen node, to equalize plate & screen voltage at 350.  Though in my limited experience the Champ's actual screen voltage is often a few volts higher than the plate's.

You might try adding a dropping resistor to the screen supply, so that the DC resistance of the choke + the resistor = 1K or less; and see how that works and sounds.

Offline HotBluePlates

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Re: SE- screen higher than plate
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2012, 10:23:26 pm »
It's normal. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Even if you start with plate voltage = screen voltage, under signal, the instantaneous plate voltage is less than the screen voltage ~half the time.

Offline John

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Re: SE- screen higher than plate
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2012, 09:04:32 am »
"normal" is what I was hoping for! Buttoned it back up, banged together another little "open air" cab out of more scrap lumber, and I'm a happy man.

Thanks!
Tapping into the inner tube.

 


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