ValveLiTzer Redux

Step 9 Wiring

Are you handy with a soldering iron? Good! This will only be somewhat tricky.

I used no perf board or circuit board. Instead, I just soldered components in the most efficient positions, making sure not to cross any wires. Follow the schematic and solder every part in place. Use wires cut to length where necessary. I used 24 AWG teflon coated wire, it's very nice to use.

In addition to the original schematic, I added a few parts of my own. I soldered two 1000uF electrolytic capacitors from power to ground, to help filter the power supply. I also added two bright blue LEDs with current limiting resistors. The LEDs cause the case to glow from the bottom.

Triple-check your wiring, then plug it in without the tube installed. The LEDs should glow. If they don't, you made a mistake. Go in and fix it. Once you're satisfied, plug in the tube and turn it on. The tube should glow faintly.

Comments

[Phred1701]

Ummm - I love the overall look and design, but isn't leaving the tube exposed somewhat risky, given the kind of environment where this will likey be used? In use, this is gonna get kicked. During setup and take down, not to mention storage and transport, well, that tube just ain't gonna survive... It looks great - don't get me wrong. Its just that it needs to be inside unless you want to be buying a new tube after every gig. Rock on!

[jeff-o]

Not to worry! I built this for a friend of mine, who is very protective of his equipment and doesn't really take it outside ever. I've got a version 2 in the works that will feature a protected tube!

[planet sutcliffe]

Please can you give a more detailed explanation (perhaps a revision of the wiring diagram?) on how you wired in the caps to filter the power supply? Thanks! I'm going to make the original build but I may include this. Good job with the case build, it's very nice

[jeff-o]

I pretty much wired everything up according to the schematic. The power supply filter capacitors are each wired up between +12Vdc and ground (positive lead of the capacitor to +12V, negative lead to ground). The LEDs (if you choose to use them) are connected in series along with a current-limiting resistor (anywhere from 470 ohm to 510 ohm) between +12V and ground. I will try to update the posted schematic when I get a chance.

[planet sutcliffe]

Thanks Jeff, I'm just getting into projects like this so your comment is very helpful. I think I'll leave off the LEDS, but I haven't fully decided on my case yet, so maybe they will go in there. Thanks again, I love this site it's amazing!

[jeff-o]

No problem! One other thing you can try to get more gain is to change C3 to a higher value, say 33uF or 47uF.