I have a large metal chassis with lots of sockets, transformers on top enclosed with the rest of the ac. Wiring us point to point soldered spread out inside.
Perhaps less flexible than kits here but the same area is used for the day job (IT) so this allows me to setup and pack up quickly.
The chassis protects the transformers, wiring but also defines a safety zone.
Perhaps less flexible than kits here but the same area is used for the day job (IT) so this allows me to setup and pack up quickly.
The chassis protects the transformers, wiring but also defines a safety zone.
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I use a bench that includes several power supplies, 8ohm load resistors, volume pot, input and output connectors etc. The prototype goes in to a generic pcb attached with hinges to the bench so you can work on wiring, measurements etc and put it back when just listening to it.
This is the prototyping method that was used in Los Alamos: tubes upside down.
see page 26
https://archive.org/details/Electronics-experimentalTechniques
see page 26
https://archive.org/details/Electronics-experimentalTechniques
This is only for low voltage stuff but I've used just a normal breadboard, sockets with breakout leads and a bench top PSU 🙂 shown here is a 6C4 + IRF610 headphone amp
That is so awesome looking! What bench top PSU are you using? Mine only goes up to 30V looking for something much higher. Is that a de-soldering station in the background, the thing under the gray box? Thanks!!
The bench top PSU is a Topward Electric TPS-4000 dual 30V 3A, as mentioned this is for low volt stuff. But I do also have a 600V HP rack mount unit hehe.
This is my chapters electronics lab, we've got pretty much everything you could want here(except an oscilloscope with good FFT in the audio spectrum 😔). Soldering stations, scopes, ultra clean PSUs, signal gens, ect... 😁
I use a tube socket fitted with rigid wires, compatible with a breadboard, and color coded for convenience and mistake avoidance.
See this for example:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...rging-a-e-pcl82-amplifier.351667/post-6134055
See this for example:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...rging-a-e-pcl82-amplifier.351667/post-6134055
I found a pic from October 2011 I prototyped a tube circuit my first useful tube circuit. It was a simple grounded cathode 6SN7 amp with a 5Y3 powering it.
While browsing the thread, I found some interest me too...I was wondering if V4lve lover or others sketched some gerber files for PCB prototypes like those above (mainly noval - octal).
I've used various methods:
Pertinax perfboard with no copper, with some extra holes drilled in it when needed to fit in the pins of PCB valve holders (they are often too thick or not on a 2.54 mm grid). I even used this for a high-voltage amplifier with 2660 V supply once, using two very long perfboards and keeping plenty of space.
Piece of wood with nails.
Single-sided copper clad FR4 with big holes drilled in it, so I can mount valve holders meant for chassis mounting in the holes.
Pertinax perfboard with no copper, with some extra holes drilled in it when needed to fit in the pins of PCB valve holders (they are often too thick or not on a 2.54 mm grid). I even used this for a high-voltage amplifier with 2660 V supply once, using two very long perfboards and keeping plenty of space.
Piece of wood with nails.
Single-sided copper clad FR4 with big holes drilled in it, so I can mount valve holders meant for chassis mounting in the holes.
WTF is being shown on this thread ?!High-voltage 300-500V prototypes assembled with 2.54mm Dupont wires, hanging wires with crocodile clips, and breadboards originally designed for low-voltage are very very very unsafe to say at least. Once you get expanding corona, you will understand how dangerous tube circuits could be. On occasion my fingers slipped and I shorted traces (with voltmeter probes) on vacuum tube amplifier PCB, expanding corona burned huge hole in the board, filling room with enormous amount of black flakes.
Many many years ago, when I'm was a schoolboy experimenting with electronics, I've twice got 220v hand-to-hand voltage shock. Sometime later had 400V shock, and the feeling was like my heart stopped. Thanks to the mother nature, my body seem to be able to tolerate this without loosing consciousness. Someone else may not be so lucky. Since then I'm vary cautious with this kind of assemblies, and strongly recommend everyone else to be so, too.
Vacuum tube builder may be like sapper, his first mistake may be his last.
Corona at 500V? Tell me more?
Also, I have some oceanfront property for sale in Saskatchewan to go with the story 😛
Many years ago when I was a schoolboy experimenting, I got 27kV from a CRT. The got my attention.
220VAC on the back of the hand isn't much fun but it's just a tickle.
The worst shock I ever got was from a Chevrolet V8 ignition coil from my hand to my wet knees leaning against the chrome bumper in the rain though.
Also, I have some oceanfront property for sale in Saskatchewan to go with the story 😛
Many years ago when I was a schoolboy experimenting, I got 27kV from a CRT. The got my attention.
220VAC on the back of the hand isn't much fun but it's just a tickle.
The worst shock I ever got was from a Chevrolet V8 ignition coil from my hand to my wet knees leaning against the chrome bumper in the rain though.
Ha, ha yes. In Television Service School , when they were still all tubes. I got stung by 25KV . Knocked me across the room. They warned us not to have more than 1 tech in the TV at any time, causs the voltage shock might cause your muscles to contract unexpectedly and stick a probe in your class mates eye!
Alan
Speaking of dangerous things, coming from the field of chemistry several years ago while I was trying to seal an ampoule containing mercury, a puff of vapourized metal entered my nostrils, stunning me badly. Like the "mad hatter" aha ... luckily I haven't received 25kV yet (500V yes and far from pleasant) but I'm still here to tell. Just to say that the risks are just around the corner for all areas, the precautions with H.V. are obviously a must anyway
My Dad and a friend were ham buddies many moons ago. His friend was killed on a 12V battery in a boat. High current of course.
Many of us are probably alive by pure luck and nothing to slam into on the way back across the room.
Many of us are probably alive by pure luck and nothing to slam into on the way back across the room.
Its the current that kills you. 12V at 15A will melt a screw driver to the part. 25K at 50 ml. not so much
I built this for prototyping ages ago.
But now I use a Heathkit IP-17 for the HV power supply.
But now I use a Heathkit IP-17 for the HV power supply.