Coming soon: Noval socket PCB adapter

[xtian]

Raise your hand if you hate wiring heaters. Ooh--everyone?!?

I had an idea to simplify the process, and Lou (@JazzGuitarGimp) drew up the Gerber file. Check it out:

IMG_4375.jpg

I still prefer mounting sockets to the chassis for best strength and longevity, and for ease of replacement. The PCB adapter we created uses bottom-mount Belton noval sockets. The heater connections (pins 9 and 4+5) are placed together on one side of the PCB, and the thru-plated holes make wiring parallel heaters from socket to socket easier. Two holes for each pin also facilitates wiring multiple components to the tube sockets. BONUS: The solder pads look like monkey or frog faces, depending on your spirit animal.

There is an unexpected option: you can push the PCB downward further, exposing more of the noval pin "loops" (imagine the tongues of the monkeys sticking out), providing yet another attachment point for wires or components.

Lou writes, "Please say they will be available shortly on www.LuigiRetro.com and if they are not yet on the site, they can reach out to me using the contact form on the website for details."

[pompeiisneaks]

Very cool! I've often though of making something similar.

I'm guessing in rare cases some people might do 12V heaters and want series instead of parallel... is there some easy way to tweak the design to allow that or?

Not a major issue as I've seen like 1 amp using it in my 3 or 4 years of doing this.

~Phil

[Phil_S]

Absolutely a great idea! Too bad the market for vacuum tube technology isn't what it once was. You might have gotten rich on this if you had done it many decades ago.

[xtian]

I'm guessing in rare cases some people might do 12V heaters and want series instead of parallel... is there some easy way to tweak the design to allow that or?

Not easily. We considered this, and then arrived at the same conclusion: 12vDC for heaters is rare, and if you're doing that, then these PCBs are not for you. :/

@Phil_S, I already got stupid rich when I invented the Internet, so no worries.

[sluckey]

Whoa! We all know Al Gore created the internet.

[pompeiisneaks]

It's just a series of tubes anyway

~Phil

[ViperDoc]

WOW. That is genius.

[M Fowler]

I like and will be ordering when available.

Mark

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Hi All,

I’ve got these on order and should have them by end of next week. I’ll make a post on my thread in the For Sale subforum when they are available.

Ciao,
Lou

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Hi All,

Boards are in stock. Price us $2.50 + $0.75 First class postage.

https://luigiretro.com/LRC-VT9A

Cheers,
Lou

[SoulFetish]

Nice work! I'm going to grab a handful to try out.
Couple of questions:
What is the weight of the copper laminate on your PCBs?
Also,... are you committed to the dark mustard color? (Not saying there's anything wrong with that.)
But I'd pay a little extra for a black solder mask (or red, or blue). Just sayin'
Anyways, it's a good product and efficient solution.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Nice work! I'm going to grab a handful to try out.
Couple of questions:
What is the weight of the copper laminate on your PCBs?
Also,... are you committed to the dark mustard color? (Not saying there's anything wrong with that.)
But I'd pay a little extra for a black solder mask (or red, or blue). Just sayin'
Anyways, it's a good product and efficient solution.

Thanks for your interest, SouFetich!

Copper weight is 1oz
The amber color serves as brand recognition. So I don't see that changing; at least in the near future.

Ciao,
Lou

[ViperDoc]

Done and done! Thanks!