9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
larsvictor
Posts: 152
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:00 pm
Location: Germany

9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

Post by larsvictor »

Hello,
I tried to add a 9 VDC power supply circuit in my little champ style amp for effectpedals. It´s a voltage doubler followed by a LM7809 voltage regulator. When I engage the effect unit there is only a loud hum and no effect. I assume this is an issue of wrong grounding. The 6,3 VAC taps have a 100R resistor to ground whereas the LM7809 is directly grounded to the chassis.

Could this be fixed by an additional coupling cap ?
Thanks
Lars
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
pdf64
Posts: 2932
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:23 pm
Location: Staffordshire, UK
Contact:

Re: 9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

Post by pdf64 »

I suggest you remove the 100 ohm resistors from the winding to 0V.
It's not valid to reference both the ac and dc circuits to 0V in such an arrangement.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/5-in-5-for-charlie This is my step son and his family. He is running 5 marathons in 5 days to support the research into STXBP1, the genetic condition my grandson Charlie has. Please consider supporting him!
User avatar
Leo_Gnardo
Posts: 2585
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Dogpatch-on-Hudson

Re: 9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

Post by Leo_Gnardo »

pdf64 wrote:I suggest you remove the 100 ohm resistors from the winding to 0V.
It's not valid to reference both the ac and dc circuits to 0V in such an arrangement.
What pdf64 said ^^^.

Another solution:

It may be a good idea to use a separate 6.3V transformer for your pedal supply, then you can 1) leave your amp filament circuit as-is and B) not suffer any switching noise (buzz, hum) from the pedal supply rectifiers, showing up in your audio.

There's plenty of room under the chassis for another small transformer.
down technical blind alleys . . .
bal704
Posts: 351
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:45 pm
Location: USA

Re: 9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

Post by bal704 »

I'd try one of the Meanwell 12V transformers. Your effects will run off 12V just fine, so no need to step it down to 9V.
User avatar
JMFahey
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:39 pm
Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina

Re: 9 VDC power supply from 6,3 VAC

Post by JMFahey »

Of course, once you remove filament winding center tap you will have strong hum coupled into preamp tubes cathodes.

If not, your power supply ground is not ground at all but floats on top of 3.15VAC, in any case a lose-lose situation.
See it for yourself: the last filter capacitor does not and can not go to ground, but to a 3.15V winding.

So you need a separate winding or a full extra transformer or power supply.
Design/Make/Service Musical stuff in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since 1969
Post Reply