n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

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grimm26
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:57 pm

n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

Post by grimm26 »

Hi, I'm new to this forum and pretty new to tube amps. I have an amp that has 4 6L6GC's and a bias point for each and a trim pot easily accessible from the top of the amp, but I don't see a common ground to use. I've been searching around but can't find what I need to know :). I could buy/make tube socket adapters, but I figure why go through the trouble if the amp already has bias points right there :).

also, am I supposed to use a banana plug into the bias point? It is not snug enough for the default probes that come with a multimeter.

Thanks for any help.
rsi
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Re: n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

Post by rsi »

Look at this layout:

http://www.ceriatone.com/images/layoutP ... hat103.jpg

It shows how to connect the bias points to ground.

Yes, you need banana plug connectors from the MM.
grimm26
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:57 pm

Re: n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

Post by grimm26 »

from that schematic (and my assumptions), it seems like having the 4 bias points without the common ground is pretty useless. So the bias points should all just connect to pin 1 and the ground should and then through a resistor to ground.
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LeftyStrat
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Re: n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

Post by LeftyStrat »

grimm26 wrote:from that schematic (and my assumptions), it seems like having the 4 bias points without the common ground is pretty useless. So the bias points should all just connect to pin 1 and the ground should and then through a resistor to ground.
I'm assuming you could use the chassis as your ground point.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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Phil_S
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Re: n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground?

Post by Phil_S »

LeftyStrat wrote:I'm assuming you could use the chassis as your ground point.
'gator clip to whatever metal thing is attached to the chassis.
amplifiednation
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Re: n00b question: i have bias points, but where do I ground

Post by amplifiednation »

grimm26 wrote:Hi, I'm new to this forum and pretty new to tube amps. I have an amp that has 4 6L6GC's and a bias point for each and a trim pot easily accessible from the top of the amp, but I don't see a common ground to use. I've been searching around but can't find what I need to know :). I could buy/make tube socket adapters, but I figure why go through the trouble if the amp already has bias points right there :).

also, am I supposed to use a banana plug into the bias point? It is not snug enough for the default probes that come with a multimeter.

Thanks for any help.
Use the chassis as ground, your absent ground test point would ultimately be connected to it anyway. I just hold my probes in the bias point. Actually I usually bias from the inside so I can verify plate voltages
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