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6CA4/EZ81 heater bias

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I am getting near the end of a project, so I am posting lots of dumb little questions. I apologize in advance for the pollution.

I have a 6.3VCT winding to my power transformer connected to the heater on an EZ81. I am not sure what to do with the center tap, however. Should it go to ground, to B+, or to somewhere else? The B+ is only about 140V here, and the PS filter is C (50uF), L (7H), C (350uF), R (100R), C (50uF).
 
Official Court Jester
Joined 2003
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if EZ heater winding is solo-meaning that no other tube filament is connected to it,just leave it untied to any potential;it is best for EZ this way-not provoking in any way heater-cathode insulation

old tube radios are best proof for that-I have some EZ pulled from 30+years old radios,with at least 20 yrs of everyday service,still testing strong
besides -in some of old radios cathode and one leg of filament are tied together ditto on socket of EZ,so it's pretty obvious where filament winding is referenced ;)

if you have any other tube on same winding-follow anatech's advice


besides that-just from memory-50uF is max for EZ,as first cap;

be sure that your xformer have enough series impedance (or reflected impedance-if you wish) to be on safe side, meaning that your EZ will not be burned promptly...

all that is not so criticall if you use smaller first cap; I urge you to do exactly this ,if your xformer is toroid or similar;

in other way-few or severall ohms on each anode can be good thing
 
The heater has its own winding that is not shared, so maybe I'll try floating it.

I think you are correct about the 50uF limit.

The transformer is a hammond 369ax. I don't know how much series resistance it has. However, I do have an extra Mills 2R/12W resistor I could put between the transformer and the anode, or somewhere else if that would be a good idea?

These transformer also seems to have a 50VAC bias tap (i've been wondering what to do with the purpe wire) that I could perhaps use for biasing?
 
Official Court Jester
Joined 2003
Paid Member
just leave it floating

search for EZ datasheet and you'll find needed info about adequate xformer impedance
I believe that you can also find datasheet for that hammond iron

then you can see what amount of resistance you maybe need to add in each anode

I have somewhere mentioned info for EZ,but deep buried in pile of paper;I also-always use originall xformers from mentioned old tube radios,so I'm not worried about any discrepancy between tube and xformer;from same reason I don't know where that papers are ;(

go to my "links" page,look for Geeks page,then look for RDH4 download page,then read ;

if you don't already have paper copy

regarding bias winding-just leave it for some later purpose;
when you need to reference something (as filament to some voltage potential) your reference is always -ground .
counting on that- your tool for voltage reference are nothing less and nothing more than already existing ground and -what else than- anode voltage (Ua ) ;
just make resistance divider with some 1mA through it,divide it in adequate two resistor values,then bypass lower one resistor via good 10uF cap,and job is done.
 
Administrator
Joined 2004
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Hi dsavitsk,
Peak heater to cathode voltage rating is 500 V pk. You should, as choky recommended, let it float. You could reference to ground with no ill effects. The max input capacitor is 50 uF. Given tolerances, I would use a 40 or 33 uF as your input cap. This will extend tube life, although these are robust tubes.

As for the other winding. Save it for something else, again as choky recommended.

-Chris
 
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