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First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:21 am
by JoeM
Hi all,

Thought i would post pics as i go along with my build. If you guys have any advice for me or see anything i should change please let me know.

thanx,

joe

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 4:50 am
by vanhalen5150
Heaters look good. fine so far.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 8:19 am
by somethin'else
Yep, you're out the gate running. Watch the twist between V2 & V3... looks like the black is straight with red only rolling over it. Otherwise, nice twisting!

Sorry, hyper critical eye here, as I just finished my build (and vanhalen5150 too) and would only say...
Have Fun & Take Your Time. Soon the build will be finished, and then you'll have to build another :D

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 10:36 am
by vanhalen5150
Before you add anything more to the tube sockets, make sure your tubes fit. I had a bad preamp tube socket (V1) and had to redo it after all my hard work. :evil:
Inside was crimped together and I couldnt fix unless I took it out. Spray them with some contact cleaner first. A little oxidation on those makes the tubes go in real tough.

Triple check evey soldering joint. It will save you a boat load of touble in the end.

A good tip I got for soldering on the tube sockets , is to put your wire in from the outside(obvious) and bend the lead straight upward. When you solder you then cut off the excess from the top of the lug rather than the inside. Some guys cut the wire from a straight in solder position and it leaves a bulge on the inside of the all the pins. This I'm told can cause arcing and act like antenna, with numerous sounds.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:37 am
by JoeM
Thanks for checking up on my work guys. And i dont mind a hyper critical eye dave, i welcome it. It will only make me get better. Im also gonna pop the tubes in to make sure the sockets are good, great advice.

Now my Plexi Panels are backordered so i was gonna continue without soldering in the impedance selector since its installed from the inside out.

Also i was going to leave a speaker jack out so i can install the MV pot, and install the 3 pole standby switch in place or the two pole switch. My plan is to not complete the wiring on these mods until i have the amp running and everything is normal, then add the MV mod, make sure that works, then complete the necessary wiring for the voltage option. This way there will be less desoldering and replacing parts. I think this will make troubleshooting any problems easier especially on you guys!

joe

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:46 am
by JoeM
i meant from the outside in on the impedance selector.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:56 am
by vanhalen5150
JoeM wrote:i meant from the outside in on the impedance selector.

And your power cord. That sucker is a tough fit.

If your panels dont fit quite correct use a Dremel with a small sanding drum on both the panel and the chasis. The selector on the back is the main one to line up because its the biggest.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:59 am
by vanhalen5150
Your standup power tranny has the 2 voltage selection like the laydown version?

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:19 pm
by JoeM
Its the Metro 1203-80-MS PT with Voltage Option . Did i misunderstand? When it says voltage option, does it refer to the input or output? The transformer page in the Metro store shows it with low voltage option. Unless the kits come with a different version.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:36 pm
by vanhalen5150
JoeM wrote:Its the Metro 1203-80-MS PT with Voltage Option . Did i misunderstand? When it says voltage option, does it refer to the input or output? The transformer page in the Metro store shows it with low voltage option. Unless the kits come with a different version.
I have the 1203-80-ML PT. MS for standup, ML for laydown. I guess I wasnt aware it also had the same function built in.
Yeah mine has 2 different outputs, one normal and with the switch down to 95V.

I just checked, yeah, yours has the same option. Your fine. :mrgreen:

Re: First Build

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:50 pm
by JoeM
Thats good news....oh and all my tubes fit. Thanks for checking that out for me.

Re: First Build

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 5:41 pm
by JoeM
A few more steps completed.

Re: First Build

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:31 pm
by JoeM
A couple of more steps completed. Obviously the panels are still backordered. But if i get close to finishing without them this may become a brushed aluminum plexi. Im kinda digg'in it! Im not wiring in the low voltage on the 3 pole swithch or the MV until i have this this working normal.

Did anyone else constantly hit and bend the 5.6k resistors on the power tube sockets?! I swear im gonna break one before im finished.

joe

Re: First Build

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 7:06 am
by vanhalen5150
The 5.6K resistors I left till the end after getting some advice for that very reason. :P

No panels? Metro kit or outsourced parts?

Re: First Build

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 6:35 pm
by somethin'else
Ey, going well there. I see you did the old nudgey-nudge to the Choke. I did the same thing. A little tight with that preamp filter right? Nice buss on the pots, looks solid. That Step 10's a Doozy, in'nit?

The best is yet to come :)