5e3 clone

[fixer2]

I just recently built a 5e3 clone and in the stages of testing it I got to the point of putting in the tubes all of them started first with the rectifier tube then the pre amp tubes then the power tubes I’m getting way high voltage on the big resistor by the rectifier I should be getting 50 to 65 volts I am getting 175 volts so I must have something wiring wrong because the kit had me use only yellow wire it is tuff to trace is there a way that I can do a resistance test with my multi. Meter after I drain all voltage from the caps of course and find it this way or is there a area to look like the tube sockets and trace it out there this is a tube depot clone so it’s on a pc board not point to point I will have to get some pictures on I just reestablishedmy access to this forum my computer crashed so I have been wanting to get back to reading and learning from you guys.

[danman]

You will need to post a pic or at least a link to the layout that you used. I have built several 5e3's and I don't know of any resistor near the rectifier that would have normally have 50-65v on it. Most of the resistors in the B+ rail will have about 400vdc on them and the cathode resistor for the 6v6's will have about 20vdc or so across it. It's possible that TubeDepot has made some changes to the standard schematic so we would need some pics to be able to give a better answer.

Does the amp sound and play properly or have you not tried to use it yet?

[fixer2]

Ok here is a layout I used.

[fixer2]

Ok here are some pictures of my build I know it’s messy but here it is I should have used different colors of wire not like how they supplied me with only a couple of colors too hard to trace I’m wandering if I can do a resistance check like I’m checking out the transformer but here I’m going to see if I have something that is hooked up to power that shouldn’t be?

[fixer2]

I have not been able to play it I havent gotten that far this resistor burnt up while I was doing the powering up part from , low voltage slowly increasing to full wall voltage. I see my pictures didnt make it .

[danman]

Since I can't see the pics or the layout, I will suggest that you build and use a "lightbulb current limiter" for further testing. A variac does nothing to limit current and will allow a new build to fry if you don't shut things off quickly. A LBCL will limit current to a very safe level in the event of a short. Once you get past the testing phase with it, you remove it and power up normally. Every new build should be started up on a limiter until the circuit is proven safe.

Here is a great read on first startups and troubleshooting.

https://robrobinette.com/Tube_Amp_Startup.htm

https://robrobinette.com/Tube_Guitar_Am ... ooting.htm

Rob's whole site is a wealth of good info, layouts and mods for popular amps.

[fixer2]

How can I get the pictures of my build and TubeDepots 5E3layout on I tried to attach it? I think I’m too old for computers ok just joking ok tell me how to attach the pictures and I will do you really know your stuff and help me out a lot in the pass thanks again

[danman]

I took a look at the TubeDepot layout and the only big resistor near the rectifier that I see is the 250 ohm flameproof resistor on the end of the board. This is the cathode resistor for the power tubes and it controls the bias for the 6v6 tubes. If this resistor is smoking then it's only two possibilities. You have a bad power tube drawing excessive current or you have wired the 6v6 sockets wrong. If you take a resistance reading from pin 8 of each 6v6 to ground you should see somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 ohms. Take this reading with the power off and the caps drained. If you don't see this reading then there is a wiring problem at the sockets.

I left you a PM about posting pics also.

[fixer2]

Ok thanks for going the extra mile and looking at tube depot web site for the layout . I will do the testing for the resistant like you said .

[fixer2]

Here is another attempt at posting pictures

[fixer2]

Hi it’s been a busy busy for me lately and I just put all my amp tinkering on hold Iam ready to get back into it could someone tell me how I get pictures of my amp on this form I need to send in a picture of the 5e3 so you guys can see what I did wrong or wired wrong and why the amp is not working . Maybe I just got a bad brand new tube I’m not sure is there a way to test tubes with out a tube tester , can I do testing with a multi meter unfortunately this is the only amp I have that uses 6v6 tubes most of my amps are el34 I. I will first try what damm said about going from pin 8 and see if I’m getting the correct amount of ohms see if I have it wired correctly ok talk to you later

[danman]

To post pics here, you must place them on a hosting site such as Imgur and then post your link here. Since you are working on a tweed deluxe, consider creating an account over at the Telecaster Guitar Forum. There are a great bunch of guys over there that specialize in Fender type builds. You can easily post your pics over there and plenty of folks will be willing to help. The subforums you want to post in will be "amps tech center" or "Shock Brothers". Both of those subforums focus on troubleshooting builds and the 5e3 is one of their favorites.
https://www.tdpri.com/

[fixer2]

Thank you once again for your help I will sign up for that form as well I will try to get pictures on here as well if what you told me awhile ago to try on this build I actually have not had enough time to look at it but then I’m doing 70 hours a week between my two jobs only a few more years and I can retire from the one job.thank you again for your help and knowledge sharing

[danman]

No problem. I'm over on that other forum also. I go by "Dan40" over there.

[fixer2]

Hey Dan what is the name of the other forum I learn so much from reading all these post