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Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 5:30 pm
by Shannon Parks
zman01 wrote:Shannon,

Since 300B tubes would need higher B+ vs 6B4G, what if a builder chooses with a transformer with higher secondaries i.e. 360-0-360 vs PA-774 which is 330-0-330? Will the 6AX5GT rectifier be able to get the B+ to acceptable levels (380v-390v)? Any changes in the BOM for this?


The 6AX5GT could handle the voltages. The question is what voltages would be present on the power supply caps at start up. Since the 6AX5GT is an indirectly heated tube (and slow), I think you might be OK with a stock build. But that is the first thing I would keep an eye on.

Shannon

Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:57 am
by zman01
Shannon Parks wrote:The 6AX5GT could handle the voltages. The question is what voltages would be present on the power supply caps at start up. Since the 6AX5GT is an indirectly heated tube (and slow), I think you might be OK with a stock build. But that is the first thing I would keep an eye on.

Shannon


500v power supply capacitors should be safer/ok then? The stock build lists 450v capacitors IIRC.

Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:55 am
by Shannon Parks
zman01 wrote:
Shannon Parks wrote:The 6AX5GT could handle the voltages. The question is what voltages would be present on the power supply caps at start up. Since the 6AX5GT is an indirectly heated tube (and slow), I think you might be OK with a stock build. But that is the first thing I would keep an eye on.

Shannon


500v power supply capacitors should be safer/ok then? The stock build lists 450v capacitors IIRC.


Correct, but 500V snap mount 25mm diameter caps are a rare thing. A bench test monitoring the startup voltages with a new transformer design is almost a must. You might be OK with the 450V depending on the 6AX5GT characteristics. A CL120 can help, too.

Shannon

Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:45 pm
by zman01
Shannon,

Rarity located:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... ND/2545372

Now the power transformer I have in mind has 1 x 6.3V tap, 1 x 5V tap.

The 6.3V tap will be used for the 6AX5GT rectifier; what value of resistor do I need to consider in the circuit for the 5V tap? Understand the 300B mod helps drop the 6.3V of the PA774 to 5V required by the 300B, but in this case I am starting with 5V.

Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:24 pm
by Shannon Parks
zman01 wrote:The 6.3V tap will be used for the 6AX5GT rectifier; what value of resistor do I need to consider in the circuit for the 5V tap? Understand the 300B mod helps drop the 6.3V of the PA774 to 5V required by the 300B, but in this case I am starting with 5V.


This sub won't work for a couple of reasons, and changes the design. You need two separate filaments for the power tubes, and you need them 6.3VAC so you can get 5VDC.

Shannon

Re: 300B GSG Mods

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:34 pm
by jwhitmor
Correct, but 500V snap mount 25mm diameter caps are a rare thing. A bench test monitoring the startup voltages with a new transformer design is almost a must. You might be OK with the 450V depending on the 6AX5GT characteristics. A CL120 can help, too.

Yes, Old thread, but time to put new life in it...
George Anderson uses motor run (not start) capacitors. The newer designs for motor run capacitors, uses film dielectric, instead of electrolytic. They are big honking cans that will not fit on a PCB, but if you park them on top of your chassis, with the tubes and transformers, they have a great retro look. The surge rating is exceedingly generous, so you can use a 450V motor run capacitor for a 400V B+ supply and not pop it. (If you do pop it, get a bag of cat litter to soak up the oil).