Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 02:42:28 AM

Title: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 02:42:28 AM: Hi one of my diodes has broken off the tube socket and the lead broke while try to resolder it, was wonder if i could use a different type of diode as a replacement or do i hv to use the same ones?
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 15, 2021, 04:57:58 AM: You can install a wire jumper between A3 and A8 instead of the second diode.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 06:27:56 AM: Do u mean leaving the one diode i hv in pace then running the jumper between a3 and a8
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 15, 2021, 06:31:50 AM: Yes.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 06:42:01 AM: I did that and got no sound whatsoever so guessing i need to trst the voltages
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 06:56:07 AM: I noticed the remaining diode is not lighting up
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 15, 2021, 07:01:17 AM: You need to measure your voltages and check your resistances. If you don't do this, you don't know if your amp is working properly and you can damage your headphones or harm yourself if the amp is not functioning properly.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 07:14:01 AM: The issue is ive modified the amplifier and i just swapped out the original tube socket for a new one eveything was fine before the change of socket thats when the diode broke
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 15, 2021, 07:15:03 AM: You need to measure your voltages and check your resistances. If you don't do this, you don't know if your amp is working properly and you can damage your headphones or harm yourself if the amp is not functioning properly.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 07:17:45 AM: My point being if ive modified my amp would the resistances still be as shown in the manual
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 07:50:12 AM: Voltages measured with amp powered on

1. 157
2. 163
3. 0
4. 163
5. 159.5
6.0
7. 157.6
8.0
9. 258.5
10. 0

Resistance measured with amp powered on

1. OL
2. OL
3. 0
4. OL
5. OL
6. 0
7. OL
8. 0.2
9.OL
12. -0.2
13. -0.2
14. -0.4
20. -0.6
22. 0.2

B3.OL
B6. OL

RCA 91.8 K
RCA 88.6 K
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 07:51:13 AM: Sorry

9. 158.5 volts
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 08:09:11 AM: Oh i hv the speedball board also
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 15, 2021, 08:39:09 AM: Is the 12AU7 glowing?

What DC voltages do you get at A3 and A8?
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 09:00:51 AM: Yes its glowing i will check those other points tomorrow and let you know
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 15, 2021, 11:36:28 PM: A3. 14.72 volts
A8. 14.92 volts
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 16, 2021, 02:56:55 AM: Anybody hv an answer
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 16, 2021, 05:02:50 AM: You need to replace both the LEDs. Be careful when you solder them, as it doesn't take a ton of heat to damage them.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 16, 2021, 05:41:31 AM: So wouÃ±d that be the reason also why i get no sound?
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 16, 2021, 06:43:57 AM: Your amp is not working. You shouldn't be listening to it.

When you swap out a tube socket or other parts, you need to do a voltage check to be sure the amp isn't working, otherwise you may be sacrificing your headphones to learn whether or not the amp is safe to use.

You need to replace the LEDs and recheck the voltages and let us know if any are still not what they are supposed to be. If all the voltages check out OK, then you can listen to the amp.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Applemacman on May 16, 2021, 07:34:19 AM: Ok ok, im trying to loh in to buy teplacements but my password again is not working. I reset it and not rcvd the email.
Title: Re: Diodes used on tube socket
Post by: Deluk on May 17, 2021, 01:38:37 AM: When fitting the LEDS make sure you have some curve or loop in the leads. i.e. don't have them straight and direct to the terminals. They don't like to be pulled about. If it was a wire it would be called a service loop to enable you to remove and refit if needed.