Reduce filament with resistor

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sbirkenstock
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Reduce filament with resistor

Post by sbirkenstock »

Hi everybody,

I did reduce my filament in a BF Vibroverb style amp from 6.6 to 6.35 volts with one .1 Ohm 5 watt resistor.
Works fine!
I read somewhere, that you should put a resistor on both sides of the filament supply.
Is this required? Any advantage to that?

Best regards,

Stephan
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Phil_S
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by Phil_S »

No need to do both legs. I've done this, too. I think you are done.
matt h
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by matt h »

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gui_tarzan
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by gui_tarzan »

I have two small transformers that I was going to try to use (one or the other) in a tube overdrive pedal project but they both put out around 8v AC on the heater leads. I don't know how to properly lower that voltage which I'm sure is high because of the line voltage. They're both NOS from the 1950s, never been hooked up to anything.
--Jim

"He's like a new set of strings, he just needs to be stretched a bit."
matt h
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by matt h »

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Phil_S
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by Phil_S »

gui_tarzan wrote:I have two small transformers that I was going to try to use (one or the other) in a tube overdrive pedal project but they both put out around 8v AC on the heater leads. I don't know how to properly lower that voltage which I'm sure is high because of the line voltage. They're both NOS from the 1950s, never been hooked up to anything.
Are we talking about just one 12AX7? The math is the same for whatever, but here's how: 8.0-6.3 = 1.7Vdrop needed. Heaters need .3A and that is the load on that winding. Ohms Law: R=V/I; 1.7/.3 = 5.66 Ohms. Try a 5 Ohm 5W resistor and see what happens. 5W is more than you need, but these get hot. You will probably be fine with a 1W. Getting to 5.66 will take some figgurin'. OTOH, I like the 12V idea, too.
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johnnyreece
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by johnnyreece »

gui_tarzan wrote:I have two small transformers that I was going to try to use (one or the other) in a tube overdrive pedal project but they both put out around 8v AC on the heater leads. I don't know how to properly lower that voltage which I'm sure is high because of the line voltage. They're both NOS from the 1950s, never been hooked up to anything.
Maybe rectify it and run DC heaters at 12v (okay, not quite 12...but closer)? I also have very little clue what I'm talking about, so take that with a grain of salt. :oops:
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gui_tarzan
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by gui_tarzan »

I'll have to make a ground tap as well, neither the B+ or the heater leads have a tap. Yeah, Phil, a single 12AX7.
--Jim

"He's like a new set of strings, he just needs to be stretched a bit."
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Phil_S
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by Phil_S »

FWB gives you a CT for the B+, here: https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... 8eb65f71ac unless you won't/can't do the FWB

I'm guessing 8V is without a load and am thinking you don't get to 12V rectified. Probably closer to 11V.
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jaysg
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by jaysg »

Aren't properly selected diodes better?
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rp
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Re: Reduce filament with resistor

Post by rp »

OP FYI - I recalled this post from our brethren at Hoffman:

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?PH ... #msg128989
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