Hoping for some help with my D'Light build.

[toneseeker]

I have completed the initial build and am starting testing:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_YlJJOtM2CGfm5KWlFGc04xS0lLemt3REVHVU04WURkRFpNS1VzU1NCYmpJeXpaMG04U28&usp=sharing

When I measure the voltage from the OT to the rectifier it only measures 204VAC. At the output of the rectifier it reads 325VDC. I was expecting each primary to be 325VAC. Does that mean I have something connected wrong? Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks!

[sluckey]

When I measure the voltage from the OT to the rectifier it only measures 204VAC. At the output of the rectifier it reads 325VDC. I was expecting each primary to be 325VAC. Does that mean I have something connected wrong? Any guidance is appreciated.

Why would you measure voltage from the OT to the rectifier? The output of the rectifier will read low when the STBY switch is open because there is no filter cap connected to the rectifier. Close the STBY switch and dc voltages should increase significantly.

[toneseeker]

The reason I measured there is that I don’t know any better. That’s why I am posting. To learn from the experts.

I started testing with my light limiter and no tubes. That seemed to me to go well. Small glow at power up, larger glow then small when standby switched while the caps charge. Now, with tubes in, when I flip standby off the bulb stays fairly bright. Is this OK or does that indicate a short?

[sluckey]

Now, with tubes in, when I flip standby off the bulb stays fairly bright. Is this OK or does that indicate a short?

You're probably OK if 'fairly bright' is nowhere near as bright as the bulb would be if it were plugged straight into a table lamp.

Pull the output tubes and set the bias pot so you have maximum negative DC voltage on pin 5 of the output tube sockets. Make sure the same negative voltage is on both sockets. Then plug the output tubes in. If the lamp is not glowing anywhere near full brightness, then plug the amp straight into the wall. Watch the output tubes for red plating. Then play your guitar. Hopefully you will have some sound.

At this point you should be ready to adjust the bias.

Is this a kit? Who did the nice layout?

[toneseeker]

I started here:http://thenormster.com//

Read several places that the kits were no longer available. Bought an ODS chassis on ebay. Made the boards, got parts from Mouser, Hoffman, TubeDepot...

Neg voltage at 51 on pin five without tubes. With tubes I can get a pop on the speakers. Maybe Output section is good. I will bias tomorrow and do more testing. Thanks for help help. I need it.

[markmalin]

you probably already did this, but I like to trace through the entire schematic from end to end comparing it to my build twice before I power the amp up for the first time.

[toneseeker]

I did that 5 times and still missed one 1 inch connection in the signal path. It is working now somewhat. TMB works. No humm, nice cleans, vil and master work, but can't get much distortion on the hg settings. Just ordered 3 new 12ax7's and a matched set of 6l6 tubes. I will work on it when they come in. Thanks for the help.

[markmalin]

I did that 5 times and still missed one 1 inch connection in the signal path. It is working now somewhat. TMB works. No humm, nice cleans, vil and master work, but can't get much distortion on the hg settings. Just ordered 3 new 12ax7's and a matched set of 6l6 tubes. I will work on it when they come in. Thanks for the help.

To get distortion out of a D'Lite you have to turn the input gain up and typically the Mids up.  That is to say, to get the "D*" sound. You should be able to get some serious overdrive/distortion when the OD is switched in. Start with the OD inlet "trim pot" at about 11:00 - if that's turned down you're not going to get much signal through there.  How do you have the output tubes biased?  What are the plate voltages on the pre-amp tubes?  I don't remember off hand, but I think D'Lite circuits are happy with around 195 VDC or so on the pre-amp plates.

Also, if you're not getting much gain, you do have it plugged into the wall, not through the "light bulb", right?