The diyAudio Firstwatt F6

[maltboy1]

Yes. It's rated 250V 5A.

 

[KevinHeem]

@maltboy1

Nice Work! And silent…congratulations! Planning on some board rolling are you? (Aleph J) (F5)

Wondering if a 5A switch is robust enough. I realize we have inrush current limiting, but still, what is the inrush current draw on this amp. I’ve never measured it on mine. Anyone?

 

[KevinHeem]

I have this setup I used for measuring compressor and spray booth motors in the shop…I almost forgot I had it since it’s used so rarely. I measured my FW amp with “peak hold” enabled and got a reading of 2.92A. Thing is my amp is a little different as it does not use the “store” power supply board, instead it has an SLB (SmoothLikeButter) supply.

 

[maltboy1]

@maltboy1

Nice Work! And silent…congratulations! Planning on some board rolling are you? (Aleph J) (F5)

Wondering if a 5A switch is robust enough. I realize we have inrush current limiting, but still, what is the inrush current draw on this amp. I’ve never measured it on mine. Anyone?

Thanks. I have F5 and Aleph boards ready to go, so plans are to build 2 more amps. I have no idea why I need 3, but I'm enjoying this and I'm getting old, so...

 

[maltboy1]

I have this setup I used for measuring compressor and spray booth motors in the shop…I almost forgot I had it since it’s used so rarely. I measured my FW amp with “peak hold” enabled and got a reading of 2.92A. Thing is my amp is a little different as it does not use the “store” power supply board, instead it has an SLB (SmoothLikeButter) supply.

View attachment 1199283

So, do you reckon the switch will hold up?

 

[Toadroller]

I have no idea why I need 3

Just three? Stick around for a year or two and report back.

 

[Toadroller]

Had it really been a year since someone added to this thread?

We’re talking about the F6 here, people!

 

[wcwc]

Well there is also another F6 thread.

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/f6-illustrated-build-guide.277850/

 

[Toadroller]

That could be it.

 

[KevinHeem]

So, do you reckon the switch will hold up?

Probably.

Do they make that same switch with a higher current rating?

 

[maltboy1]

It was the highest one I saw in the 19mm size. Most were 3A or less.

 

[KevinHeem]

@maltboy1

How about this one:

AVH19LSFO001604

 

[maltboy1]

If I don't like it I can always use it to start my car. 🙃

 

[pestoman]

Hi everyone, well, I've built an ACA, a NuTube Preamp, and an Aleph J, all successfully. I tried to swap out Aleph J boards with F6 boards in with the same power supply and it did not work out. I got nothing out of one channel, and a horrible loud high pitched siren noise out of the other. I went through a beefed up the solder on every component/connection, no dice. Just curious if anyone has had a similar problem, or suggestions on where to start looking, other than dismantling and testing to see if something burned out, or is bunk. I did not change the PSU at all between Aleph J and F6, do I need to? Thanks for any help here, guys.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

Check your part placement. Also, we need lots of pictures. Luckily these amps are not too complicated so hopefully, we can figure it out.

Did you check Bias and offset?

 

[Dennis Hui]

Along the line of Mike's post, what test/setup steps did you perform upon installing the F6 boards?

You can use the same power supply for F6 and AJ.

 

[Mulburg]

Also, did you disconnect anything other than the V+, V- and ground from the power supply board when you took out the aleph j boards? Did you have the aleph j wired for xlr or rca?

 

[KevinHeem]

Always test one channel at a time.

 

[pestoman]

Pics to follow soon... I had the Aleph J wired for RCA with the jumper. Is that potentially it?

 

[pestoman]

Here's the boards and the PSU in the chassis. I did not do anything to the psu besides disconnect the G, V+, and V-. I pulled out the F6 boards to start checking components. Thank you all, these forums have been so helpful for me.