My D'Lite Build

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:34 pm

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the group and do not have much build experience. I have only built a champ before. I'm working with Bob at RJ Guitars. He and I are building amps separately/together using the same chassis setup, etc. I have posted some photos of my build after about 12 hours total of work.
We have checked the voltages and the heater connections so far and everything looks good (tubes lit up). We are still working on the relay board for the footswitch.

Based on some of the photos I have seen from you guys, I have a lot to learn in the way of making a beautiful build. Hopefully we will all get some great tones though!

Let me know what you think.

highway31 · Post by **highway31** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:43 pm

drpastorbob,

Thumbs up!!! It looks great!

Jochen

LooseChange · Post by **LooseChange** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:42 pm

Looks good! I like the choice of the STANDUP power transformer in these builds... You get more room to work.

What PT did you choose??

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:20 pm

I'm using the following transformers:

Power Transformer
Heyboer Part Number PT-650-2, HTS-8816-2:

Output Transformer
Heyboer Part Number: HTS-8603-2

Structo · Post by **Structo** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:28 pm

What are the B+ secondary voltages on that tranny?
I have the Heyboer 8816EX as far as I can tell and it has 325v secondaries.

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:36 pm

Here's everything I know:

Primary: 120V, 60Hz
325 V secondary taps @225 mA, center tapped (325v-0-325v)
6.3V CT @ 4.3A (3.15v-0-3.15v)
5V & 6.3V @ 3 A (5v-6.3v-0)
50V Bias Tap

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:24 pm

I've put in about another 12 hours and am down to connecting the 120V to the boards and throwing the switch. I'll do one last check to make sure I got everything right and then let her rip...hopefully not R.I.P.

Any comments on what voltages I should be seeing?

I posted some more photos...things got a bit more crowded after adding all the wiring. I have wired up double-throw switches for now in lieu of the footswitch until we make sure everything is working and while we optimize the sound. The relay board for the footswitch will be side-mounted next to the main board. That's why I have a twisted wire bundle looped in the middle of the picture. Oh, by the way, our amps go to 11.

Need to order tubes now if it passes the no smoke test!

heisthl · Post by **heisthl** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:43 pm

Always power a new build on a 100 watt light bulb in series with the "hot" side of the power cord first before you power it up for real, this limits current flow to 1 amp. It will glow bright but quickly change to dim if all is well. If your filter caps have been on the shelf for a while and need "forming" leave it on the bulb for a couple of hours. You can measure voltages but they all will be low. If the bulb stays bright shut it off before your mistake starts smoking.

markmalin · Post by **markmalin** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:03 pm

drpastorbob wrote:I've put in about another 12 hours and am down to connecting the 120V to the boards and throwing the switch. I'll do one last check to make sure I got everything right and then let her rip...hopefully not R.I.P.

Need to order tubes now if it passes the no smoke test!

Nice looking chassis. Did you fabricate it yourself, or buy it? I like the way the chicken head knobs look.

Mark.

DaveBo32 · Post by **DaveBo32** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:05 pm

Where did you get the face plate?

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:30 pm

Bob at RJ Guitars (a friend of mine) designed these using a CAD system and had them machined at a local machine shop. I agree, they look great. When we are done, I think our amps will look pretty professional. I believe he has extra chasses and faceplates available. Contact him here on the forum.

drpastorbob · Post by **drpastorbob** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:46 pm

We used a variac to bring it up slowly and checked voltages, etc. Then we put in some old tubes and made some bad sounds until we fixed a few minor mistakes and connections (had to replace a bad micro switch).

I have attached a link to youtube showing an old guy (me) playing through a strat in the garage under flourescent lights. We can argue about whether or not it sounds like a dumble, but at least it made sounds.
Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j8-egIZXHA

Now the real fun starts...tuning it up, etc...

RJ Guitars · Post by **RJ Guitars** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:11 am

Congrats to my friend - Dr Pastor Bob... His 2nd build ever and its a working ODS!

I'm also close to finishing up my own build using the same chassis and components, except I used some transformers that I already had... a stancor PT and a Hammond OPT.

For info and history on the panels and chassis, look at one of my older posts.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

I have about a dozen of these chassis/panel sets that I'll eventually sell at a very reasonable cost. I'm not in the amp production business but I have a friend in the machining business and he made me a bunch of panels and chassis' to explore the how to do it and does anybody want it market. He can make similar panels and chassis to any specification you want. I'll provide his name and address if you request it.

I'll post them on the for sale page in the near future if anyone wants one.

rj

Tube Amp Archive

My D'Lite Build

My D'Lite Build

Re: My D'Lite Build

Re: My D'Lite Build

My D'Lite Build - Transformers

Re: My D'Lite Build

Heyboer PT-650-2, HTS-8816-2

Progress on my D'Lite Build

Re: My D'Lite Build

Re: Progress on my D'Lite Build

Re: My D'Lite Build

Chassis/Faceplates

It Makes Sounds

Re: My D'Lite Build