Variacs

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cantskienuf

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Joined 2004
I'm troubleshooting a new tube pre-amp that I just finished and am finding voltage after the diode bridge a bit high. It looks like my PS transformers are 115v input and my line voltage is 124v. Thinking about a Variac. I can get a 3-amp Staco from Mouser for $86 or a 5-amp Payne Engineering from Newark for $90. The Staco appears to be a traditional variable transformer, but the Payne calls itself a solid-state variable voltage control with a remote potentiometer that "replaces variable transformers." I'm looking at the 18TBP-1-5 product described somewhat at http://www.payneng.com/ptbp.htm . It has a curious note 4 which says "These controls are not recommended for use on inductive loads." Newark does some explanation of the device at http://www.newark.com/NewarkWebComm...wark.com/product-details/text/CD121/5773.html

Any idea just what this thing is and whether it would accomplish my goal?

Thanks
John
 
poobah

poobah

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Joined 2005
Probably should avoid that solid state gizmo... Your power supply already has a narrow conduction angle. Your PSU voltage may go from 50% to 100% just by turning the control from 4.5 to 5 (just as an example).

Is your overvoltage causing problems? Are there some resistors or perhaps inductors you could change to burn some voltage?

:)
 
C

cantskienuf

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Joined 2004
After a little more reading, it appears that the electronic gizmo is comprised of something called a triac. I think that is somewhat akin to an overgrown dimmer, so is probably too noisy. Thanks for the tip Indm.

Poobah, I'm not sure if the overvoltage is causing me a problem. I'm using tube regulation for the B+ and the regulator is correcting the overvoltage to the desired amount, but I'm also starting my initial troubleshooting effort to find the source of an unacceptable distortion. I don't know if overworking the regulator is a source for the problem. A schematic for the PS is at http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=165634&stamp=1051169517

If I tried to burn off some of the voltage, would it be best to do that before the diode bridge or after? Is it better to add resistance to AC or DC? Right now I'm reading about 405v at the 350V measurement point upstream from the 6CW5 tube. Recommendations appreciated. Now I'm leaning towards other than a variac, maybe an RC or LC insertion?
 
poobah

poobah

Member
Joined 2005
You know, as long as you not over loading the EL86, or the cap immediately after the bridge you should be alright.

I am not an expert wth this type of regulator. It could be the extra Va-k affects the regulation... I doubt that is your distortion source though.

Are you getting the 305 (+/- 20V) VDC from circuit? If so, it is stable and quiet under load (music)?



:)
 
poobah

poobah

Member
Joined 2005
I would guess then that your distortion problem is coming from somewhere else. Do you have a scope?

BTW, the voltage issue may warrant digging into further. As long as the plate of the '86 is not glowing; you're OK for the now. Do you know your amps total current draw from the PSU?

SE or PP?

:)
 
C

cantskienuf

Member
Joined 2004
I don't have a scope, and haven't started poking around too much to find the problem - just finished it up over the weekend and haven't gotten back to troubleshoot it. It is this http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=165642&stamp=1051171865 12BH7 line stage pre-amp. I don't know total current draw, but I should be able to figure it out from the tube data. I think I probably ought to try and get a little closer to the PS measurements though, even if it is not the source of the distortion.
 
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