04-24-2026, 04:30 PM
1. It is generally not a very good idea to run a rectifier tube without any B+ load. If only because the DC voltage at the full input voltage (117V) could exceed your electrolytic capacitors' WV.
And then it stays there without anything to discharge it.
2. It makes VERY little sense to check the DC voltage (B+) before the full recap. Do the recap, check for shorts, put at least the output tube and the speaker in, and then check. Actually if your transformer is good, put all the tubes in.
3. Before you do anything, have you made sure your transformer is good? It should be some 600-700V AC end-to-end (between the yellow wires) of the Hi-V transformer winding. Convenient way of measuring is just sticking the Voltmeter's probes in the Plate (smaller ones) holes in the 84 tube's socket while ramping up the Variac to 117V.
And then it stays there without anything to discharge it.
2. It makes VERY little sense to check the DC voltage (B+) before the full recap. Do the recap, check for shorts, put at least the output tube and the speaker in, and then check. Actually if your transformer is good, put all the tubes in.
3. Before you do anything, have you made sure your transformer is good? It should be some 600-700V AC end-to-end (between the yellow wires) of the Hi-V transformer winding. Convenient way of measuring is just sticking the Voltmeter's probes in the Plate (smaller ones) holes in the 84 tube's socket while ramping up the Variac to 117V.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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