Problem with my ST70 build

[JayH3]

I just finished my ST70 build and powed it up. I dont blow any fuses and the tubes glow with none of them being dimmer or brighter than the others.

The problem is that I have no output.

I am checking over everything again but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to pay special attention.

Im also a little confused on how the 500k pots should be set because the diytube.com instructions make no mention of them.

[JayH3]

I thought that I possibly had the bias pot wires switched around so I swapped them.

Now when I hook up my meter to bias I hear static out of the speakers.

I also have a faint hum now from the speakers, so I think I am on the right track. The problem must be in the input section. I will be looking for a problem there, still open to suggestions, though.

[Ty_Bower]

You'll need to check the voltages against the chart in the manual. Post your results here, and maybe someone can spot the problem. Be sure to make a post on the diytube.com forum as well.

A hi-res photo of the board and wiring wouldn't hurt, either.

In a perfect world, the 500k pots on the driver board should be set exactly in the middle. They balance the bias voltage to each side of the push/pull pair of output tubes. If the tubes are well matched, the pot should end up pretty close to centered.

I think the pot is a ten-turn job. Trying to center it by counting turns would be tricky. You could probably meter it out (with the power off) and check to see if each side is roughly 250k.

[JayH3]

I think the battery may be going in my meter. Its acting kinda strange.

But, the highest voltage I read on the whole amp was 30VDC, even on the power supply board.

I think the project has to go on hold for a little while - one of the bias pot pins broke off.

[Original Burnedfingers]

Pictures would help.

Also, what driver board did you use? Is this a rebuild of a stock Dynaco or is it an aftermarket kit?

[JayH3]

Originally posted by burnedfingers
Pictures would help.

Also, what driver board did you use? Is this a rebuild of a stock Dynaco or is it an aftermarket kit?

Its all aftermarket. For the power supply section I bought triodeel.coms board. For the driver board I built the diytube.com board using point to point wiring.

As for a picture...Ill admit, I got too small of an enclosure so even the most knowledgable expert would have trouble looking at a picure of this nest of wires. Im proud to say even working in such small spaces and using a large soldering gun I did not burn any wires insulation.

[JayH3]

I just replaced the bias pots and got a new battery for my meter.

I took some measurements and I cant get any bias voltage and all of the pins with high dc voltage is up over 500VDC.

On the el34's I am supposed to get -35V on two spots. I get it on one but not the other. (actually, the voltage chart says pins 5 and 6 but 6 is not used so I am probably ok here.)

On the power supply board the 300 and 350VDC lugs are reading over 500VDC.

Any ideas? Thanks for any input.

[Original Burnedfingers]

Borrow a digital camera and post some pictures. It would be a lot easier to figure out the wiring problems.

[Original Burnedfingers]

Is this the power supply board?

[JayH3]

Originally posted by burnedfingers
Is this the power supply board?

Yes, thats the one I am using.

This is the drive board section. http://www.diytube.com/st70/diytube_st70_B.pdf

One of my probes for my meter broke so another setback. Ill have to wait until I can grab my other one from work tommorrow to take more measurements.