Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

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doveman
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Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by doveman »

I am considerding building a BN D'Lite 22 build ... as my first build. I am not a tech but a player. I have been playing an original '78 Mesa/Boogie 60w/100w with an EVM-12L (almost 30 years now).

I have done some work to this amp ... rewiring the V1 preamp from fetron to 12ax7 ... replacing the original filter caps ... but nothing like a complete build. But I'm competent/confident ... do a lot of research and take my time.

I have already registered at the Brown Note forum ... found this forum as well (looked around ... very impressed). Any other forums, reading, preparation, etc. recommended?

Also, I will continue to deep dive both forums before asking a lot of noob questions.
tele_player
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by tele_player »

I highly recommend the D'Lite, I built one last week. Great amp! I chose the 44 - it's just a little more money. If you ever play with a band, the extra power will be appreciated. Don't worry, it's still not a 100W monster.

Just bear in mind, this isn't a kit with detailed, step-by-step instructions. There's an Assembly Guide, which is good, but not exactly comprehensive.

However, with the Assembly Guide, layout, schematic, and some photos of a clean build, it's not really difficult. Just be sure to stop and ask for help whenever there's anything which isn't perfectly clear.

Advice - study the Assembly guide, and read every post in the Brown Note forum to find where others have stumbled before you.
ampdoc1
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New D'Lite Build

Post by ampdoc1 »

I just started on my 2nd D'Lite this weekend. Built one for a buddy a few months ago, but have been working on other projects since. Here are a few pics of the Work in Progress, with all the boards located and temporarily mounted. The additional boards are the Iron Sounds effects loop (back),..the relay board (up front). The additional boards on the side are power supplies for each.

ampdoc
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ampdoc1
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New D'Lite Continued

Post by ampdoc1 »

More pics
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moj067
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by moj067 »

where did you get the relay boards from?
I've been looking around and nobody seems to be making any at the moment.
JimiB
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by JimiB »

yeah where! :D
ampdoc1
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by ampdoc1 »

These board are the one's I designed and sold to D'Lite builders over the past few months. I am out, but will be ordering some next week for the new series of D'Lites that Moss (Brown Note) is preparing. Tese will take about two weeks to get, but I'll be sure to email you when I have more in stock. They are the three relay and PS boards.

ampdoc
tele_player
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by tele_player »

ampdoc - any change in the power supply on the new boards?
ampdoc1
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by ampdoc1 »

tele-

One user suggested I add a voltage regulator to the circuit, and I am considering it. Although I didn't have any trouble triggering 3- 5V relays on the original board, it is fair to say that the voltage changed considerably between the off and various on states. It appears from the Omron spec sheet (the G5V-2 relays that I used before), that if I pegged the voltage at 8VDC, users could switch between 5,6, or 9V relays if required. Of course, if anyone need to go to a higher voltage, they could always change out the VR as well,
Would this be a change users would like? The price of the board should remain the same, as a couple of other components would not be required.

ampdoc
tele_player
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by tele_player »

The voltage regulator was my suggestion (in private email with you), along with the mention that it wouldn't increase cost.
I don't think most users understand how this stuff works. But some users, from what I read on the Brown Note forum, seemed to have trouble getting LED's to work, or when they tried three relays instead of two.
As for changing the VR to handle even higher voltage - that's not a good idea using the doubler on the 5V taps, since you'll start getting too close to the VR's dropout voltage, and you've got to consider the possibility of input line voltage dropping by about 10% or more.
If I were designing the board, I'd use a regulator, and to be thorough, I'd determine if a small heatsink is required.
ampdoc1
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by ampdoc1 »

tele,

Sorry for the confustion,..I didn't make the connection between your real and user names. You are absolutely correct about the output voltage vs. supply. And I think your earlier email about using an 8 volt regulator is right on the money.
I haven't used VRs in designs, so I'm going to check with you via private email to make sure I get this done correctly.

ampdoc
doveman
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by doveman »

tele_player wrote:I chose the 44 - it's just a little more money. If you ever play with a band, the extra power will be appreciated. Don't worry, it's still not a 100W monster.
One question ... is the 44 build switchable between the 6V6 and 6L6 after the build or just an option during the build? Is it easy to go back and forth ... that would be sweet. If so, how is it switched ... what's involved?
tele_player
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by tele_player »

The Super Deluxe 44 Kit includes a transformer with primaries for both 6V6 and 6L6, a toggle switch can be added to select between the two.

With such a switch, changing between 6V6 and 6L6 is just a matter of flipping the switch, and adusting the bias.

Even without the switch, you can swap the tube types, though it changes the available impedances on the impedance selector.

In other words, if it's set up for 6L6, the impedance selector selects between 4,8 and 16 ohm loads. If you drop in 6V6, the selector would appropriately match 8,16 and 32. Conversely, if you've set up the primaries using the 6V6 tap, using 6L6 you'd be able to match 2,4 and 8.
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brownnote
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by brownnote »

doveman wrote:
tele_player wrote:I chose the 44 - it's just a little more money. If you ever play with a band, the extra power will be appreciated. Don't worry, it's still not a 100W monster.
One question ... is the 44 build switchable between the 6V6 and 6L6 after the build or just an option during the build? Is it easy to go back and forth ... that would be sweet. If so, how is it switched ... what's involved?
Yes, as tele_player said, it's easily done with a DPDT toggle switch. The chassis is designed for expansion, the bias pot hole can be re-purposed for this switch, and the bias pot can be moved a number of places, we put it adjacent to the PT between the IEC ground lug and the PT.
Remember kids...Always adjust for minimum smoke!

D'Lite Kits: http://store.bnamp.com/dlitekits.html
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Structo
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Re: Considering Brown Note D'Lite 22 Build

Post by Structo »

When you relocate the Bias Pot, is it OK to ground the 10K resistor off the bias pot to the PT secondary center tap ground lug?
(The one between V5 and the PT)

Or would it be better to put a ground lug on the left transformer bolt and connect the 10k resistor to that?
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