Tube boost + overdrive running off a 9 volt battery

[Renegadrian]

I like it!!!

[tipetu]

I`ve purchased a 9 pin footswitch and tried connected it as the "0.5" layout says, but nothing happends. not even any hum! how do I know which way to mount the 9 pin switch?? it`s all square and got no sign of indication what so ever!

this is the "0.5" version of the layout.. neat layout


but i found this other image of someone here building it totally dfferent?? take a look at the wiring of the switch. Which one is correct??

[Renegadrian]

Well, you can wire a 3PDT in some different ways...
as you can see, THIS IS SIMILAR, while THIS ONE is different...
If you followed my layout, be sure that the pins go in a horizontal way...
THIS GAUSSMARKOV image should be clear enough...(note the wiring here is different, but yeah look at the pins' direction!)

edit: HERE'S what I tried to tell you...The way it is oriented the holes are in the up/down position...See?! Be sure the switch is in its correct orientation, and it MUST work!!!
(at least the switching...) - that layout is obviously VERIFIED, I built a couple with a 3PDT, then SWITCHED (sorry...stupid here...) to DPDT.

[REGNAD]

this is what i used...

[tipetu]

quick response! thanks! I`ll give it a try one of these days and those layouts certainly helped!

[tipetu]

It`s finally done!!! Thanks for superb help!!! I`ll give back some relaxing photos for you fellas to enjoy!

kinda messy but everything`s up and going!


I dodn`t want the standard red led which all pedals have so I went for a yellow one! I think it matches the gold.


this is with 8 sec exp


15 sec expo!

[REGNAD]

sweet!!

[letterbeacon]

I've just attempted a Vavlecaster and unfortunately I'm having some problems.  I just get a loud hum when it's turned on!

I'm using an unregulated 15VDC 200mA wall wart with a 7812 regulator and a 100uf cap across the DC jack.  On the output of the 7812 I measure 11.67V when the tube is out of its socket and about 9.8V when it is connected (I say about because the voltages wavers). Is this as expected?  I also notice that there is continuity between the output of the 7812 and ground when the tube is in its socket - this is to be expected though, right? as pins 4 & 5 have continuity in the 12AU7.

Here are the voltages I've measured on the tube socket (both with the tube in and with the tube out):

Tube In
7812 Pin 3: 9.90V - 10.03V

Socket:
Pin 1: 9.30V
Pin 2: -0.29V
Pin 3: 0.14V
Pin 4: 0.00V
Pin 5: 9.84V (this was in keeping the voltage at pin 3 of the 7812 at the time)
Pin 6: 9.40V
Pin 7: -0.34V
Pin 8: 0.00V
Pin 9: 5.03V

Tube out
7812 Pin 3: 11.64V

Socket:
Pin 1: 11.37V
Pin 2: 0.00V
Pin 3: 0.00V
Pin 4: 0.00V
Pin 5: 11.63V
Pin 6: 11.50V
Pin 7: 0.00V
Pin 8: 0.00V
Pin 9: 0.00V

Does anyone have any ideas?  I only just noticed that the wall wart is 200mA - is this enough for the tube?

[frequencycentral]

Voltages should be taken with the tube socketed. Here's mine, taken from my fully functional Valvecaster, with the Gain, Tone and Volume at maximum., my power supply is 12 volt:

Pin 1: 3.02v
Pin 2: -0.518v
Pin 3: 0.00v
Pin 4: 0.00v
Pin 5: 11.97v
Pin 6: 8.21v
Pin 7: -1.285v
Pin 8: 0.00v
Pin 9: 5.91v

You will note that your pin 1 voltage is way too high. Are you sure the associated resistor is teh correct value, and that there isn't a solder bridge?

Your 200ma wallwart is maybe not enough, as the 12AU7 heater requires 150ma alone. Additionally, both the plates require a small amount of current, and the 7812 will also require current. That's probably why the output of your 7812 isn't achieving 12 volts. An overworked wallwart will hum!

[letterbeacon]

Thanks for the reply!

When I bought the wallwart from eBay I'm sure it was supposed to be a 500mA one which is why I was surprised when I noticed just now it says 200mA!  How about this one from Maplin: http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=32746 It's regulated so I could ditch the 7812 leaving a bit more room in the case.  Do you think 500mA will be enough?

The resistor is dead on 220K and I can't see any solder joints - there's no continuity between pins 5 and 1 either.  Hmmm... might have to come back to this one with fresh eyes in a couple of days.

[frequencycentral]

How about this one from Maplin: http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=32746 It's regulated so I could ditch the 7812 leaving a bit more room in the case.  Do you think 500mA will be enough?

That's the one I use. Yes you can ditch the 7812 with that one, and (to answer your next question!) it will power both a Valvecaster and a Vintage Vibe at the same time.

[letterbeacon]

I bought the wallwart from Maplin today so I've ditched the 7812 and now have a healthy 12VDC when the tube is in place.  I still can't figure out why I'm getting such a high volt reading at pin 1 though.  Even when I desolder the C2 (the capacitor that bridges pin 1 and 7) I'm reading around 10V at pin 1.  The resistor is a .25w 1% 220K metal film resistor.

I'm also getting a higher than usual reading at pin 6. Again there is a resistor used here to drop the voltage but again it doesn't seem to be dropping it enough.

I'm a little stuck here!

[frequencycentral]

R4 is the problem maybe? Definately 470K? And your tube is definately a 12AU7? Other 12**7 type tubes will give different voltages.

[letterbeacon]

R4 measures to be 470K and the tube has ECC82 printed on it with ECC82/ 12AU7 printed on the box.

Here are the measurements at the pins with 12.10V coming from the DC jack:

Pin 1: 10.42V
Pin 2: -0.54V
Pin 3: 0.00V
Pin 4: 0.00V
Pin 5: 12:09V
Pin 6: 10.83V
Pin 7: -0.41V
Pin 8: 0.00V
Pin 9: 6.11V

[letterbeacon]

I should add that the hum has gone away.  The volume pot works but the gain control, when turned up, just makes it louder.  I don't hear any distortion at all at the moment.

[runmikeyrun]

Hey guys, while i'm a bass player using a valvecaster on bass, just thought i'd clue you in on a little thing i learned tonight @ practice.  Try inserting your valvecaster in your amp's effects loop, if it has one.  I found mine adds a nice extra stage of saturation without getting muddy and ugly.  Try it, you might like!  I use a peavey Windsor and the valvy sounds awesome in the loop.  I'm afraid to try the twincaster i made!!

[tipetu]

200mA is not that much   

I got a 1A 9V regulated. It works absolutely perfect!! With 1A it gets lots of juice and breaks up smootly and powerful. recomended!

[Renegadrian]

With 1A you can stay safe, 500mA are good too...

[Wasted_Bassist]

Hey guys, while i'm a bass player using a valvecaster on bass, just thought i'd clue you in on a little thing i learned tonight @ practice.  Try inserting your valvecaster in your amp's effects loop, if it has one.  I found mine adds a nice extra stage of saturation without getting muddy and ugly.  Try it, you might like!  I use a peavey Windsor and the valvy sounds awesome in the loop.  I'm afraid to try the twincaster i made!!

Would that just be from the line level of the fx loop?

[tonedoggie]

I am new to this forum (and pedal building) and am really glad I found this site.  I am hooked on building a valvecaster and want to get some parts on order.  I was hoping to feedback on the best places to buy parts  - I have been checking out this site, thetubestore.com and pedalparts.com.   Also, as far as 12au7 tubes, I was looking at what thetubestore has and they range from $10 up.   I was looking at the following and wonder if anyone has any thoughts as where to start:

NOS 5963 / 12AU7 The 5963 tube will replace 12AU7 tube types and is equivalent to the European ECC82 tube and can be used in any 12AU7 or ECC82 circuit. - $9.95

RFT ECC82Like all RFT preamp tubes, the RFT ECC82 / 12AU7 is a low noise and low microphonic preamp tube. It sounds great and is especially good for guitar amps because of its rugged construction. $29.95

I would appreciate any input anyone has