Aleph J illustrated build guide

6L6

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Darn it Jim ! I am just about getting ready to build my F5 based on your guide, now you shove this in my face?

Another great guide that will inspire many to build :)

Make a few extra connections to the PSU output of your F5, and with little effort you can swap the Aleph J PCB in place of the F5 and vice-versa. The big expensive case and PSU need only be bought/built once. :D :D :D

Yes, it's that easy.

Have you ordered the Aleph J PCB yet? :p:p:p
 
Jim

Just a few notes on the Store boards.

I find them quite a challenge to solder compare to some other boards. The solder don't really want to take to the pads even though I cleaned them with rubbing alcohol.

Also I see with the newest layout that the resistors around C2 is very tight if you are going to use the RN60D resistors. My suggestion to fellow solder slingers is to rather avoid that annoyance and use smaller resistors in these positions if they are super fussy about a neat layout.

I will post a pic later tonight. At the moment I have a few steaks on the barbie, so I can't do it right now.
 
Attached is a pic where one can see the tight area around C2. With the new layout allowing for a bigger cap things will be very tight when using that bigger cap, and with RN60 resistors might even be impossible to mount a bigger sized cap for C2. So beware.
 

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I ordered the 500VA with 18v secondaries. I gave thought to the 600VA with 4x 18v, and doing 2 separate rectifier/capacitor sets, but figured I could do better stuff on a single set. The interior of the case will have more room.

I plan extra effort on the push button and soft start circuits, along with trying to really separate PSU from the signal sides.
 

6L6

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Joined 2010
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With the new layout allowing for a bigger cap things will be very tight when using that bigger cap, and with RN60 resistors might even be impossible to mount a bigger sized cap for C2.

There are a number of ways to avoid having a problem, the first is obviously to use smaller components.

But in lieu of that, the resistor can always be mounted higher and bent out of the way, or

You could mount it soldier-style and have only the thin lead on that side, or

You could mount that resistor on the bottom of the PCB.

All those solutions work well.