Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 09:39:58 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Harvard 5F10 bias pot  (Read 3128 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Diverted

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 752
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« on: January 17, 2021, 10:03:22 am »
Hi all,

Working on laying out a Fender Harvard 5F10 for a build. This amp has a dedicated bias supply and the transformer has a tap so I want to add a 50K bias pot to ease biasing.
I have installed many bias pots but always did it by just tapping the HV secondary. I want to use the bias tap.
I read that what's needed to switch to adjustable fixed bias in an amp with a dedicated tap is to reduce the first resistor off the tap in half, then replace the second resistor with the 50K pot.

I was wondering if anyone could look at the layout I'm working on and let me know if I have it right. Thanks!
« Last Edit: January 17, 2021, 10:06:19 am by Diverted »

Offline thetragichero

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 582
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2021, 10:20:34 am »
put a resistor between bias pot lug 3 and ground. 22k? 33k? something like that
also connect the wiper to the unused lug

don't forget to add 1 ohm 1% bias sense resistor(s) between power tube cathodes and ground

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2021, 10:23:50 am »
You need a resistor between the pot and ground to prevent turning the bias voltage to zero and destroying the output tubes. I used a 50K pot and 24K resistor to replace the original 56K resistor. No need to reduce the original 6.8K. See pages 3 and 4...

     http://sluckeyamps.com/harvard/harvard_5f10_schem.pdf
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline Diverted

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 752
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2021, 08:59:40 pm »
Thank you. Definitely planning on putting 1 ohm resistors in as well.

Offline Diverted

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 752
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2021, 12:14:35 pm »
Follow-up, and this question might even be stupider than my usual variety :laugh:
I've been looking at a lot of 5F10 chassis pix online, both originals and clones. In every one I've seen, the power/output transformer orientation is different than most amps I've seen. The transformers are lined up without rotating one 90 degrees to the other.
Any ideas why this was/is? I was just going to lay out the transformers in the standard orientation (opposed at 90 degrees) but am just wondering why the other arrangement seems common in this amp.
Thanks.


Offline 2deaf

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1667
  • Now too deaf for 100 watts
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2021, 12:29:31 pm »
Follow-up, and this question might even be stupider than my usual variety :laugh:
I've been looking at a lot of 5F10 chassis pix online, both originals and clones. In every one I've seen, the power/output transformer orientation is different than most amps I've seen. The transformers are lined up without rotating one 90 degrees to the other.
Any ideas why this was/is? I was just going to lay out the transformers in the standard orientation (opposed at 90 degrees) but am just wondering why the other arrangement seems common in this amp.
Thanks.

Doesn't the 5F10 have a lay-down power transformer?

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2021, 12:35:18 pm »
The transformers are ***ALWAYS*** 90° to each other, just like most all Fender amps. If your PT is a lay-down style (big rectangular hole) just install yours exactly as all the pics you see. Here's my real one...

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

Offline Diverted

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 752
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Harvard 5F10 bias pot
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2021, 12:44:41 pm »
Thanks. OK, that clarifies the whole orientation thing for me. Thanks for the photos.


 


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