Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 11:58:32 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Ab763~ ish build no sound  (Read 13637 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Ab763~ ish build no sound
« on: July 09, 2016, 10:23:25 am »
My light limiter of course gets bright then dims a little and stays on. No sound... I used the Weber layout 6A20 head and combo. Gz34-n 4-6V6 Etc.

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2016, 10:31:08 am »
More pics.

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2016, 10:33:36 am »
And these....

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2016, 10:59:46 am »
Any voltages in there?

Offline Paul1453

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1085
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2016, 11:37:05 am »
If your voltages are all good, then these silent amp builds often have input/output jack wiring issues.   :icon_biggrin:

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2016, 12:04:24 pm »
                                                                     p1     p2    p3     p4     p5  p6     p7  p8      p9

Something wired wrong or something. Gz34          224           -63         -61          224
                                                         
                                                         6v6     -41          224           -41
                                                            "       -40          225           -40
                                                            "       -41          225           -41
                                                            "       -40          224           -40
                                                           12---  130    6    24                            127   7     24
                                                                     182   -23                                   155  -23
                                                                     104                                            93
                                                                     221            3                              221   3
                                                                    101                                              96
                                                                     106                                             117
« Last Edit: July 09, 2016, 12:09:37 pm by silat »

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2016, 12:17:32 pm »
heater voltage is low Ac  2 on pins 9 and 4 and 5 on the pre-amps

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2016, 01:35:38 pm »
That voltage table looks like gibberish! How are we supposed to make any sense of that?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2016, 02:07:43 pm »
 :laugh:  Well Sluckey  that is what the "ish" for  as in my  title heading of this thread post: Ab763~ish as in Gibberish. I will try and fix it where it can be read.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2016, 03:31:55 pm »
If you want to make a table using the 'space' key and have it present properly you'll have to use fixed width fonts like Courier. Even then, preview before posting to be sure it looks like you expect it to look. If you just use the default font your table will look like gibberish.

Otherwise figure out another way of listing tube voltages. Maybe one line for each tube pin. Kinda like...

V1-1 = +150V
V1-2 = 0V
V1-3 = +1.5V
etc, etc, etc.

Or, better yet, use Doug's tube voltage chart and post a link to the info.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2016, 04:26:23 pm »
Your PT is wired wrong! That red/yellow wire that is connected to your bias board should be connected to chassis. Then you need to connect a wire from the rectifier tube socket pin 4 to the bias board ***AND*** replace that 470Ω resistor with a 100K/3W resistor. Then recheck some voltages with no tubes except the rectifier tube. I'm particularly interested in the output tubes pins 3, 4, and 5.

A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #11 on: July 09, 2016, 07:00:47 pm »
 V11- pin 2 =425
 V11- pin 8= 425 No readings on the other pins.
V10-pin 3=426
 V10-pin 4=0
V10 -pin 5=-10
V9 pin 3= 426
V9 pin 4=0
V9 pin 5=-10
V8 pin 3=425
 V8 pin4=0
 V8 pin 5=-10
 V7 pin3=425
 V7 pin 4=0
 V7 pin 5 =-10


 

Offline Willabe

  • Global Moderator
  • Level 5
  • ******
  • Posts: 10524
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #12 on: July 09, 2016, 10:08:09 pm »
You have no screen B+ dcv.

Pin #4 is the screen grid, should be a little less than pin #3 (plate).


Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #13 on: July 09, 2016, 10:50:27 pm »
You have no screen B+ dcv.

Pin #4 is the screen grid, should be a little less than pin #3 (plate).

 So that makes 5 the control grid? Then why nothing at pin4? what did I miss?

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #14 on: July 09, 2016, 11:33:14 pm »
> what did I miss?

this

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #15 on: July 10, 2016, 08:15:51 am »
I guess you corrected the PT wiring? A little feedback from you please.

Low heater voltage... Measure AC voltage directly on a 6V6 socket with one probe on pin 2 and the other probe on pin 7. What do you have?

No voltage on 6V6 pin 4 (screen)... Pin 4 is an input. You have to connect a voltage to it. That weber layout is not the easiest to read but all the info is there to show you how to get voltage from filter cap B, to 6V6s pin 6, through those 470Ω resistors, and finally to pin 4. You've missed a wire somewhere in that chain.

Pin 5=-10v... Don't plug those 6V6s in until you get this voltage up to about -30v or -35v. May have to lower that 100K/3W resistor a bit.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #16 on: July 10, 2016, 12:59:21 pm »
 I have 6 volts Ac on all of the 6V6 pins 2 and 7 but lost the -10 on pin 5... Yes I corrected the  bias resistor to 100k 3 watt. Still 0 on pin 4.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #17 on: July 10, 2016, 01:08:13 pm »
Read reply #10 again.

DID YOU DO ALL THE STUFF I SUGGESTED?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #18 on: July 10, 2016, 06:52:29 pm »
Yeah you are right I did not take any of the cap B to pin 6 to 4. I am doing that now. I  tried to do everything you said. :BangHead:

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2016, 10:53:04 am »
I have 426 on pin 3  about 427  on pin 4. Nothing on pin 5 :help:

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2016, 10:55:01 am »
Read reply #10 again.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2016, 12:09:39 pm »
I read your post # 10 over and over and have done every single thing you have said in it.  What specifically have I not done?

« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 12:19:12 pm by silat »

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2016, 12:15:45 pm »
 Sluckey wrote"Your PT is wired wrong! That red/yellow wire that is connected to your bias board should be connected to chassis. Then you need to connect a wire from the rectifier tube socket pin 4 to the bias board ***AND*** replace that 470Ω resistor with a 100K/3W resistor. Then recheck some voltages with no tubes except the rectifier tube. I'm particularly interested in the output tubes pins 3, 4, and 5."
I did every bit of this now I have nothing on pin 5 of the 6v6's. It is like my bias circuit went out. The 3 and 4 pins I am getting voltage on now but five has nothing.
My light limiter stayed on all the time but it is now off and does not even come on when I first start it up.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 12:18:27 pm by silat »

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2016, 01:16:07 pm »
***DON'T PLUG IN THE 6V6S OR RECTIFIER TUBE UNTIL YOU HAVE THE PIN 5 BIAS VOLTAGE FIXED***

The bias circuit is very simple. I suggest you download the schematic for this layout and learn how to read it. I've attached a pic of the bias circuit that you should be able to follow and fix the pin 5 no voltage issue. When you make all the corrections in that pic you should be able to adjust the bias voltage on pin 5 from about -20vdc to about -40vdc.

You can do this.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #24 on: July 11, 2016, 01:48:34 pm »
 Sluckey, In that drawing I have tried to tell you I have done every bit of it. I added the wire from the rectifier pin 4 to the bias board to which I also changed the 470 k 1 watt to a 100K 3 watt.... I also figured out after you telling me that I had nothing going to pin 6 that goes over to pin 4 on the 6v6's and remedied that by adding the wires . You show that on the layout marked in yellow.(Everything you have marked in yellow I have done) I pulled all of my tubes... I have this all done but I am showing no reading on pin 5 unless I burned a resister somewhere or a wire came loose. I am wondering if maybe the 220k resistors are bad in the bias circuit?
I had reading of -10  on pin five and it was wired just like it shows in the highlighted yellow but it is now gone. My light limiter is not not showing anything.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 01:54:11 pm by silat »

Offline HotBluePlates

  • Global Moderator
  • Level 5
  • ******
  • Posts: 13127
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #25 on: July 11, 2016, 02:06:26 pm »
I wonder if the bias components were damaged earlier when the high-voltage center-tap was connected to the bias board.

Do you have a.c. volts on pin 5 of the output tubes (I understand it says 0vdc now)? If so, the bias cap or rectifier diode was probably damaged.

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #26 on: July 11, 2016, 02:09:02 pm »
Oh ok! But I do not have another cap that size. that is the 50Uf 150 volts.

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #27 on: July 11, 2016, 02:15:33 pm »
yes I am showing AC volts in the 200's

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2016, 02:18:49 pm »
When you do everything I suggested in the pic I posted the bias supply will be fixed.

You don't need the lamp limiter to work on the bias supply so just plug the amp straight into the wall. You also don't need any tubes plugged in until the bias circuit is fixed. I've said this several times now. I hope they are not plugged in.

Probably the only components in the bias circuit that may have been damaged are the diode and filter cap. Those resistors should be fine but it certainly won't hurt to check them.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2016, 02:23:36 pm »
Just to be clear I did take the tubes out.

Offline Paul1453

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1085
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #30 on: July 12, 2016, 10:04:17 am »
If you have AC on pin 5 your bias diode is likely shorted, and that has also likely killed the E-cap in your bias circuit.   :sad2:

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #31 on: July 12, 2016, 11:18:27 am »
I replaced the diode but I had to order another cap from Doug. I am waiting for it to come.

Offline John

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1895
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #32 on: July 12, 2016, 03:22:25 pm »
I replaced the diode but I had to order another cap from Doug. I am waiting for it to come.


I think for right now you can use any electrolytic you have (100+ volts rated). Just tack it in since you'll be taking it back out. It'll still let you measure your neg. voltage. Don't forget that positive actually goes to ground.
Tapping into the inner tube.

Offline Paul1453

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1085
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #33 on: July 12, 2016, 04:55:08 pm »
200+VAC does seem a bit high for the input to your bias circuit.
Double check your connections and resistors.
As John said you can use almost any E-cap of 100V or more for now.

You don't need or want -250VDC for your bias voltage. 

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #34 on: July 12, 2016, 05:01:12 pm »
There will be about 300VAC input to this bias circuit.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #35 on: July 12, 2016, 05:13:23 pm »
I have -5 volts DC and that is all I can get after tacking in a 150 uf 100volt cap which is the lowest I have. There is still something wrong I did not change those two 220k resisters but I do not have anymore of those either. I ordered some from Doug though.

Offline Paul1453

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1085
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #36 on: July 12, 2016, 05:26:58 pm »
You are right, something is still wrong.

But you are making progress in the right direction.   :icon_biggrin:

No smoking or very hot resistors in that circuit?

Something still seems to be shorted, or the wrong value in there.  IMO

Offline HotBluePlates

  • Global Moderator
  • Level 5
  • ******
  • Posts: 13127
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #37 on: July 12, 2016, 05:42:34 pm »
You are right, something is still wrong.
...
Something still seems to be shorted, or the wrong value in there.  IMO

Current drawn by that bias supply will be no more than the input a.c. divided by the resistance of the bias pot & resistor to ground (so 12mA for 300vac input and bias pot set for max resistance). It will be less than that by the drop across the 100kΩ resistor from H.V. winding to the diode, but that drop will be non-linear.

Silat is getting the huge a.c. because the bias cap is shot (probably from having too much voltage across it when the center-tap was connected to the bias board). Once he gets a functioning cap in there, the supply will likely land back on "near-normal" d.c. voltage.

Offline Paul1453

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1085
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #38 on: July 12, 2016, 06:25:09 pm »
Right HBP.

When that bias circuit is functioning properly there will be little current running through it.
Tubes should still be out now.

He said he put in a new E-cap(you took the old one out right), so I figured there must still be something dragging his voltage down.

Maybe making something hot?  Was hoping to use the hot part as an indication of where the problem remains?   :dontknow:

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #39 on: July 12, 2016, 06:30:08 pm »
I put a cap just to see if I could get close but it is nowhere near close. The only thing I did not change were the 220k resistors in that bias circuit. I am waiting on those and the right cap to com.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #40 on: July 12, 2016, 06:43:27 pm »
Look at the pic I posted. See the note at the very top? How much voltage do you measure at that point on the bias board?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #41 on: July 12, 2016, 06:53:00 pm »
Look at the pic I posted. See the note at the very top? How much voltage do you measure at that point on the bias board?

-4 vdc... I cannot get much else.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #42 on: July 12, 2016, 07:25:53 pm »
How much AC voltage do you have on each side of that 100K resistor on the bias board?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #43 on: July 12, 2016, 07:29:53 pm »
  Right 259 and  Left side 316 AC

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #44 on: July 12, 2016, 07:33:43 pm »
How much dc voltage on the right side of the diode?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #45 on: July 12, 2016, 07:35:24 pm »
-5 VDC.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #46 on: July 12, 2016, 07:36:54 pm »
Turn the amp off. Measure resistance from right side of diode to chassis.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #47 on: July 12, 2016, 07:42:37 pm »
20

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #48 on: July 12, 2016, 07:43:47 pm »
20 WHAT?????
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline silat

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 338
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Ab763~ ish build no sound
« Reply #49 on: July 12, 2016, 07:49:41 pm »
20 K ohms is all I have. :dontknow:

 


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


password