Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 08:41:25 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: JTM45 Build test voltages way off  (Read 3383 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« on: November 02, 2019, 05:46:40 pm »
I just built a JTM45, ran into some strange voltage readings during power up testing and wanted to see if someone could set me straight...

I followed the Valvestorm  / Metro Jtm45 plan.

Attached is sheet of readings  / targets.  No power tubes are installed, got here and stopped.

Here is a link to a gallery of hi Rez images... let me know if you need more detail. 

https://nickdross.smugmug.com/JTM45-Build/


I have been tracing the under boards and everything ohmed out.  I used the sluckey method and came through the tops so I don't think any fell out...

Presence pot shows ground at the capacitor all the way to V3 everything is connected.  I say another post where V3 voltage issues were related to no ground, I don't think that's the case here...

Maybe I swapped a value somewhere, been checking that and haven't found it yet..

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2019, 05:48:53 pm »
This may be easier than the pdf...

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2019, 06:06:28 pm »
Voltage readings don't mean much if the power tubes are no plugged in.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2019, 06:15:33 pm »
Ok,,,, I was going by the Metro power up instructions... and got spooked by those numbers... I'll give it a go...

 As I have said before... if I smoke it,, Doug's gotta eat too...:-)

Thanks,,,

Offline pdf64

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 2965
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2019, 06:30:08 pm »
The purpose of the check you’ve made is that the tubes are safe to be plugged into the amp.
eg you don’t want to fit tubes if the plate or bias voltages are missing.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/5-in-5-for-charlie This is my step son and his family. He is running 5 marathons in 5 days to support the research into STXBP1, the genetic condition my grandson Charlie has. Please consider supporting him! BBC News feature  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm26llp

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2019, 06:53:32 pm »
Pretty much similar on V3

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2019, 08:21:19 pm »
Progress... User error,,, I has a 470k in place of the 470 on the cathode... readings are still high but not as high... Progress...

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2019, 08:45:55 pm »
closer but not right...

There is most likely a user error that I am too tired to see...I looked at that 470k 3 times before I saw the problem... Will try with fresh eyes in the a.m.

Latest readings....

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2019, 09:08:43 pm »
Are you experiencing some problem with this amp?
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline JB

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 231
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2019, 04:45:33 am »
You really only getting 5.6V AC on your 6.3V heater supply?  Measure across the heater pins on any of the valves.


Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2019, 08:08:52 am »
Its running, can't really give it a go yet... It's 9a.m. here thanks to EST kicking in last night... biased it and noticed all I could get it -40ma, which is right at the bottom of the recommended 40-47ma for Kt66 in the book...

gonna let it settle in for awhile and recheck numbers and hopefully wait long enough not to totally piss-off the neighbors...

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2019, 08:52:35 am »
now for the next phase.... :l2: :dontknow:

Offline Pietro

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 33
  • I love everything thats vintage. Even my mom!
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #12 on: November 03, 2019, 12:43:14 pm »
measure/monitor heater voltage and jank all the tubes out until you pulled the one that makes the heater voltage jump back up to 6.2 - 6.5 volt..

replace that tube in question. re-measure all voltages..

I love everything that's vintage. Even my mom!

Offline ndross475

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 57
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: JTM45 Build test voltages way off
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2019, 05:16:35 pm »
Got the heaters in line @6.3 so everything seems to be ok, got the bias set and have been playing it with some old 12ax7s need to find something a bit more appropriate but all seems to be well. Thanks for all the assistance, this forum is a great asset.. I look forward to learning enough to be able to contribute someday..

Nick

 


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