tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v

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ger56

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tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v
« on: 15 Dec 2005, 05:40 pm »
hello

What can happen if I get 5.9 volt instead of 6.3 volt on my 6sl7 tubes ?

ger56

jon_010101

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tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v
« Reply #1 on: 15 Dec 2005, 08:08 pm »
Probably nothing to worry about.  Maybe a slight reduction in gain, tube life could go either way.  Its within +/- 10%, so not too bad.

Few questions though...
Is it in series with another tube in a 12.6V heater circuit?  Are you running the amp at the correct line voltage?  Are any other voltages reduced too?

Steve

tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v
« Reply #2 on: 15 Dec 2005, 11:21 pm »
Dear ger56,

     Normally no problem, being around 5% Less means tube life should increase with indirectly heated tubes, assuming a good design. Directly heated (thoriated tunsten filament) tubes are another matter, should be within 5% or closer rated voltage.
 
If the other voltages are decreased, plate dissapation is reduced, so again, generally, longer life. The only consequences would be lower output power in the output stages of an amp, signal voltage as a driver or phase splitter, and increased distortion, how much is determined by the component's design and what it is used for.

Preamps are generally less affected than amps as only a couple of volts RMS output are needed. If as a driver or phase splitter tube in an amp, then the max signal output voltage is reduced before clipping and the distortion rises. There might be exceptions to this rule, but the design would probably be somewhat of a compromise.

Hope this helps.

ger56

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 15
tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v
« Reply #3 on: 18 Dec 2005, 11:50 am »
Thank you Jon

the tube are in series with 6c33c . it used a 220 vac and the amp comes from usa .
the 6c33c goes to 11.6 v

ger56
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jon_010101

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tube 5.9 v instead of 6.3v
« Reply #4 on: 18 Dec 2005, 06:48 pm »
ger: I bet that amplifier sounds great!

The transformer was probably designed for 220VAC-240VAC, so that it runs the heaters just below 6V at 220VAC and over 6.3V at 240VAC.  The 6C33C is spec'd for 11.3-13.9V on the heater, so, again, no problem!

And, as Steve mentioned, it will probably help with tube life.  I usually run my amplifiers at a reduced voltage (110VAC vs. 115VAC), and my heaters tend to be ~5.9-6V too.

Good luck!