Search found 1047 matches

by The New Steve H
Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:21 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Re: Filter Caps on Mains?

I got some input from a guy who claims he was around back in the glory days of analog: You are on the right track. The HP product line was heavily used when I was in the HF/VHF radio design labs in the 70’s pre digital era. The only digital item in the plant used to crank formulas and run chart data...
by The New Steve H
Wed Jan 18, 2017 12:29 am
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Re: Filter Caps on Mains?

It seems like you never get the same answer from two people when you talk about electronics.

I found a page about old radios, and it said Y caps were used to keep interference OUT. I suppose a person's view of a component's purpose depends on what he's used to using it for.
by The New Steve H
Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:49 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Re: Filter Caps on Mains?

I think we're on different pages here. Y caps are used to kill EMI, not spikes.
by The New Steve H
Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:36 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Re: Filter Caps on Mains?

I found an interesting page referring to these things as "Y capacitors." Evidently, the risk of shorting is well known, and ceramics are most likely to do it. There are special "safety caps" for this purpose, and the affordable ones are designated "Y2." They are supposed to resist shorting from powe...
by The New Steve H
Tue Jan 17, 2017 4:44 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Re: Filter Caps on Mains?

I'm wondering why anyone would bother filtering AC in, when there are big ol' caps to filter the DC down the line. Could it be to prevent the exposed AC lines from "broadcasting" RF inside the cabinet, to other components that might pick it up?
by The New Steve H
Tue Jan 17, 2017 4:37 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Filter Caps on Mains?
Replies: 12
Views: 1830

Filter Caps on Mains?

Fun new question here. I dug out my old HP 3300A function generator to get it working, and I found there was a dual capacitor (0.01 uF per side) across the AC in wires. The internal caps had a common ground, and their other legs went to neutral and hot. The reason I learned about the cap is that it ...
by The New Steve H
Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:32 am
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?
Replies: 9
Views: 2135

Re: Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?

Phil_S wrote:Year on the can, hemi's for sure. Ouch. All of us older guys know what's in store for the younger ones. No one warned me about the first physical after I turned 50 :shock:
No probes for me. I've made the wise decision to risk death from cancer instead of being violated with a motorized camera.
by The New Steve H
Fri Jan 06, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?
Replies: 9
Views: 2135

Re: Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?

I'm asking about silicone. I already know about teflon. Just wondering if people use silicone in amps.
by The New Steve H
Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:03 am
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?
Replies: 9
Views: 2135

Silicone Insulation v. Teflon?

Sorry for not posting in like a year. I was on the can.

Today for the first time I learned there is such a thing as silicone-insulated wire. I got all excited. I had to come here and ask: is this a good alternative to teflon?
by The New Steve H
Wed Apr 13, 2016 11:02 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Mind-Blown: Orange Drops have Polarity?
Replies: 31
Views: 9614

Re: Mind-Blown: Orange Drops have Polarity?

It sounds like anyone who has a dead-quiet amp that doesn't oscillate should ignore this.
by The New Steve H
Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:09 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Mind-Blown: Orange Drops have Polarity?
Replies: 31
Views: 9614

Mind-Blown: Orange Drops have Polarity?

I was Youtubing to kill a few minutes, and I came across a video which instantly changed my worldview. The guy in the video said non-electrolytic capacitors like Orange Drops have a polarity, and that if you ignore it, you can get hum and oscillation. True, or is he smoking old carbon resistors? htt...
by The New Steve H
Wed Mar 30, 2016 3:17 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Going From 15 Watts to 7 to Improve Tone: Worth it?
Replies: 9
Views: 1257

Re: Going From 15 Watts to 7 to Improve Tone: Worth it?

I don't expect a big reduction. Just thinking I would be able to turn the PPIMV up a little more and avoid the change in sound the PPIMV causes when you crank it down. The more I think about it, the more I like this idea. I like the idea of a lighter head. If that's the only significant change, it's...
by The New Steve H
Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:29 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Going From 15 Watts to 7 to Improve Tone: Worth it?
Replies: 9
Views: 1257

Going From 15 Watts to 7 to Improve Tone: Worth it?

1. What happened to the malware warning? I miss my malware. 2. I decided what to do with the amp parts I have sitting around. I built a 15-watt amp with four 6BM8s and a Bassman preamp, and I love it. I am thinking I would like to build a 7-watt version (two fewer tubes) so the output will be a litt...
by The New Steve H
Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:10 pm
Forum: Technical Discussion
Topic: Setting up a new bench - need some seasoned advice
Replies: 25
Views: 2690

Re: Setting up a new bench - need some seasoned advice

Sooner or later you will want to sit, so avoid my mistake. Before you build the bench, find a good stool or whatever, and have it handy when you do your design. Make sure your knees don't hit anything, and that your feet have a place to go. Someone suggested I make a bench with a replaceable MDF top...