Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

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Dirtbagg
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:37 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

Post by Dirtbagg »

I have home built a Orange Tiny Terror. I have not blown any fuses.

However, when I powered it up, and go off stand by, I get a hum. I was playing an MP3 player through it. I could hear it faintly but not that loud.

Help is there anything I can look for to fix this problem. I have a feeling it is something simple

below is a link for the schematic I used.
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Firestorm
Posts: 3033
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:34 pm
Location: Connecticut

Re: Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

Post by Firestorm »

I don't know this amp but it seems designed for MI input. Does it work with a guitar plugged in?
TooL46_2
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:29 am
Location: Sydney, AU

Re: Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

Post by TooL46_2 »

Make sure all the connections are ok. This amp should be quite loud.

Re hum -- is it 50Hz (60Hz)? Or 100Hz (120Hz for US)? There are various reasons in each situation. Many times it's just a ground loop (if the hum has a fundamental frequency of 50/60Hz). This kind of hum can also be introduced by filaments; this can be alleviated by either referencing the filament supply to ground by using two resistors, or referencing it to a positive voltage of 10-30V.

If it is 100/120Hz -- it can be caused by insufficient B+ filtering; obvious solution -- increase the size of the filter caps.

Two -- you have a lot of cables in there... And these are quite long... Use a shielded cable for signal (only one side grounded). Also, don't forget to solder anti-parasitic resistors straight to a tube's socket -- this helps to tame high-frequency oscillations (most of the time inaudible).
Cheers,
-Tomek Drabas
___________
‎"One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one's greatest efforts."
—Albert Einstein
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Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

Post by Structo »

I find it strange that you mounted the component board upside down.

What was the reason for this?

Also, did this amp ever work properly or was it bad from the start?
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
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LOUDthud
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:27 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Help with hum problem on homebuilt Tiny Terror

Post by LOUDthud »

Do any of the Volume, Gain or Tone controls influence the hum?

Listen carefully as you flip the Standby from Play to Standby mode. Does the hum go away immediately, or does it fade out over a period of a couple of seconds? If it fades out, it's usually a problem with heater wiring or possibly a bad tube. It sounds like a low organ note. If it cuts off immediately it's usually a problem with the grounds and sounds like more of a buzz. The ground side of the bridge rectifier should go the ground side of the 100uF cap, not directly to the chassis. How are the rest of the filter caps grounded? Describe all the connections to ground.
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