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Summary of Contents for Trinity TRIWATT
- Page 1 TRIWATT Builders Guide For the sole personal use of Trinity Amps Customers. January 2020, Version 3.7 Parts © Trinity Amps 2005 - 2020 www.trinityamps.com TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 1 -...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Faulty tube ..................................55 Severely unmatched output tubes in a push pull amplifier ................... 56 Faulty power supply filter caps ..........................56 Faulty bias supply in fixed bias amplifiers ........................ 57 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 2 -... - Page 3 Scratchy Sounds on Potentiometer(s) ........................60 Amp Buzz or Rattle When Installed in Cabinet ..................... 60 More Tips for fine tuning your amp ......................... 62 Running EL34 Tubes in the TRIWATT ........................63 Installing a Passive Effects Loop ..........................64 First the code ................................66 How to read the Color Code ..........................
- Page 4 Thank You Thank you for purchasing your TRIWATT kit from Trinity Amps. We truly hope that you enjoy building it and that it will be enjoyed for many years. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and. Please be sure to check the package contents in case there are any missing items.
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Page 5: Introduction
Introduction This guide has been prepared for builders of Trinity Amps Kits. It is always being improved and we would appreciate your feedback and comments to: stephen@trinityamps.com Accordingly, content and specifications are subject to change without notice. We do try to make it as accurate as possible, but it is sometimes hard to keep up with the changes. -
Page 6: Warning
ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THIS INFORMATION! ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED 'AS- IS' AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. REMEMBER: NEVER OPERATE YOUR AMP WITHOUT A LOAD. YOU WILL RUIN YOUR OUTPUT TRANSFORMER! TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 6 -... - Page 7 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 7 -...
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Page 8: Version Control
Corrected R value for bias and OT conns. V5, V6 (G. Vosters) 15Oct19 Added new OT with additional 3.5K primary schematic 26Oct19 Updated OD Relay installation Transformer Board 12Jan20 Updated input jack wiring, clarified fasteners, hardware and wire. (E. Knapp) TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 8 -... - Page 9 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 9 -...
- Page 10 - rather than boosting a high treble, it opens up or extends the top end of the tone to add “air” to the sound. TRIWATT EQ knobs are in very similar places when compared to original Hiwatt amps, dialed in to similar tones.
- Page 11 Guitars - The TRIWATT can handle many guitars with aplomb. Tele, Strat, Danos, Ric, Les Paul with P90's for the single coils, and Les Paul, SG, Seymour Duncan hot-rodded Fender Cyclone for 'buckers, PRS Mira in both 'bucker and single mode - have all been tested with this amp, and every guitar sounds GREAT.
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Page 12: Guitar Amplifier Basics
(see the Fender/Marshall comparison below). So with typical settings of a bit of bass, middle and treble, the overall tone equalization complements the natural pickup sound for a balanced response of lows, mids and highs. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 12 -... -
Page 13: Distortion
This is partly to protect the speaker, but also produces a ‘soft-clipping’ effect TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 13 -... - Page 14 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 14 -...
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Page 15: General Amplifier Operation
• Never ignore signs of high heat inside - a wisp of smoke or a burning smell is NOT normal. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 15 -... -
Page 16: Some Dos
(disconnected speakers) may do so. Overdrive the stuffing out of it. Tubes are very forgiving of massive overdrives, unlike solid state gear. As long as they tubes don't overheat for long periods, it's not fatal. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx Page - 16 -... -
Page 17: Introduction To Vacuum Tubes And Common Terms
It is usually a small value (i.e. .001uF) and it rolls off highs in the stage. Sometimes you see a high frequency roll off cap going from the plate pin to the cathode pin - 350pf->500pf in value. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 17 -... - Page 18 The Grid Stopper Resistor works best when mounted directly or as close as possible to the grid pin. "Complete" typical tube preamp stage: TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 18 -...
- Page 19 The plate receives the voltage from the power supply through a plate resistor, the grid receives the AC signal as input and the cathode is grounded through a cathode resistor. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 19 -...
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Page 20: Introduction
These can exceed 700 volts. Introduction If you have purchased your Trinity Amp as a kit, this guide will help you build a tube guitar amplifier. It is oriented towards someone who knows a little about electronics but is new to do-it- yourself amps. -
Page 21: Insulated Jacks
Wiring The traditional method of constructing amps involved mounting the components on tag board or fiberboard. This is the technique that is used for Trinity Amplifiers and is the recommended approach for service and reliability. Assembling the amp... -
Page 22: Soldering
Note that there is a gap between pins 1 and 9. The pins on an 8-pin tube socket are numbered 1 to 8 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the bottom. Note that there is a gap between pins 1 and 8. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 22 -... - Page 23 6V6 /KT66 12AX7 12AX7 The pins on the potentiometers are numbered 1 to 3 from left to right when the shaft is facing towards you and the pins are at the top. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 23 -...
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Page 24: Assembly Steps Summary
Mount Output and Power trans. with lock nuts. 8-32 lock nuts 8 “Keps” for power transformer; 1 “Keps” for ground bolt. 10-32 X 1-½ Mount chassis to cabinet. Use cage nuts in square holes pressed into chassis. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 24 -... - Page 25 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 25 -...
- Page 26 TRIWATT Front View If supplied, the rear panel is installed and held in place by installing the IEC mains connector, Mains strain relief, fuse holder, output jacks and possibly an impedance selector. TRIWATT Rear TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 26 -...
- Page 27 Otherwise if you over-tighten it'll break apart. Also be careful not to overheat the terminals when soldering. Remember to insulate the lugs and wiring to prevent switch arching. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 27 -...
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Page 28: Wiring
• Use green wires for ground wires. Grounding Scheme The TRIWATT use a two point grounding scheme where the power side of the amp is connected to a single common ground point, and the preamp part is connected to another point on the chassis that is located immediately beside the input jacks. - Page 29 500K A Brill Vol 1M-A Tone 1M-A Tone 470K 470K Install parts from terminal strip on chassis and parts on chassis. Connect 470K resistors from terminal strip to center lugs of Normal and Brilliant Volume. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 29 -...
- Page 30 Install 2 terminal strips on the chassis. Connect Install terminal strip on chassis and parts on V3 68K resistors from terminal strip to V1 2 & 7 socket. Connect resistor from terminal strip to V3 socket TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 30 -...
- Page 31 Continue wiring up the bias terminal points (2-Red, 1-Black) with 1 ohm precision resistors soldered between them and the 10K bias pot and the connecting wires to the tube sockets. Connect the bias pot ground to power ground. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 31 -...
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Page 32: Install Transformers
Red/Yellow - Red) and heater leads (Green – Green/Yellow - Green) face inwards. Feed the leads through the 3 grommets installed in the chassis with the High voltage and heater leads going TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 32 -... -
Page 33: Power Supply Wiring
Tie it off by cutting off the exposed wire and then put heat-shrink over the end and then tuck it away as it is not used. You can also connect unused wires to a terminal strip. Wiring of Mains circuits: European vs North America TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 33 -... - Page 34 Brown Blue North America Green [USA-plug round prong] Black [Small White [Large flat prong] flat prong] European 230V Green/White or Green/Yellow It makes no difference how the other two wires are matched. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 34 -...
- Page 35 Orange – 16 ohm Brown - 4K Green – 8 ohm Red - CT Yellow – 4 ohm Blue - 4K Black - 0 Trinity Amps HTS-9641-1 50EZ Output Transformer Wiring the Progressive Power Switch TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 35 -...
- Page 36 Connect from the other side of the dual cap, and the 1K5 power resistor, to the turret board following the layout. Connect the centre of the can cap to the power amp star ground point. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 36 -...
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Page 37: Test The Power Transformer
If all is well, solder in your transformer’s low voltage secondary leads (120 or 230 volt primary). Don't solder in the High Voltage (HV) secondary. Also solder in your Output Transformer (OT) secondary. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 37 -... -
Page 38: Turret Board Construction
5 Turret Board Construction If you do not have a pre-built Trinity amps turret board, now is the time to build it. Install the 6 jumper wires on the underside of the board. Follow the pictures below. - Page 39 (usually has an alligator clip) and that identifies the outer foil. Mark the capacitor with a sharpie and install the cap as per the provided TRIWATT board layout. Install the components on the board by following the layout – from left to right.
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Page 40: Connecting The Turret Board
Now is the time to make the connections from the turret board to the tubes. Tip: On a copy of the layout, highlight the connections as you complete them to make sure they are done correctly. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 40 -... - Page 41 Strip about 3/4” / 15 mm off one end push it into the bottom of the turret so it touches the component lead and bend it over. Then solder it well in place at the turret top end only. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 41 -...
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Page 42: Connecting The Turret Board To Controls
Leave enough transformer lead length to reverse the leads from one 6V6/KT66 to the other if necessary to eliminate amplifier squealing. Start by soldering the Brown output lead to V5 and the Blue to V6. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 42 -... - Page 43 Blue/White – 1.75K Blue - 4K Black - 0 Trinity Amps TRIWATT Partridge Output Transformer Connecting the Impedance Selector Referring to the Output Transformer schematic above, wire up the Impedance Selector to the transformers and output jacks paying particular attention to the leads for the correct impedance.
- Page 44 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 44 -...
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Page 45: Input Jacks
2. At on end, pull back the shield and cut it off at the 5/8" mark. Put some heat shrink around the end covering the area where it was cut off. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 45 -... - Page 46 ‘positive’ polarity. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hot’ side. The other part of the plug is typically ground or ‘common’. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 46 -...
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Page 47: Input To V1
Connect the two 68K input resistors from two of the tags to the input (pin 7 and pin 2) of V1. Make the end that connects to the input pin 7 as short as possible. Input to V1 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 47 -... -
Page 48: Final Checkout
Measure the resistance from each part that has a ground connection to the chassis. Put your probe on the parts lead. All readings should be between 1 ohm and 0.1 ohm typically. Make sure the Mains ground at the chassis is very tight. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 48 -... -
Page 49: Power Up
40% higher than the raw AC. Assuming you measured, say, 700VAC across the full secondary in the above steps, then each half is delivering 350VAC. B+ will be ~40% above this, which is ~490VDC. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 49 -... - Page 50 (make sure the Overdrive control is pushed in -ie Off). If hiss and hum is loud at this point, there are problems. If there is dead silence, something is likely wrong, too. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 50 -...
- Page 51 Hopefully, there are no problems but if you think there are e.g. hum, squeal etc., then move on to the troubleshooting section of this manual. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 51 -...
- Page 52 Trinity TRIWATT 6V6 Voltage Chart AC Mains Voltage 122VAC;B+ 460 VDC no tubes installed;442 VDC with tubes 6V6 Bias 15 ma min 23 ma max KT-66 bias 30 ma min 40 ma max 12AX7/12AT7 TUBE Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3...
- Page 53 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 53 -...
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Page 54: Warning
1R 2W Mains Fuse Slo The shaded area in the above layout above indicates areas of the TRIWATT where you should take extreme caution. There are voltages in this area in excess of 450 VDC. WARNING Please Read this Information Carefully... -
Page 55: Troubleshooting
Conversely, if the volume control does not affect the hum, the cause is somewhere after the volume control. Faulty tube Tubes sometimes develop internal hum. Do some tube swapping to locate the problem. Use the volume control test. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 55 -... -
Page 56: Severely Unmatched Output Tubes In A Push Pull Amplifier
∆=20uF 500V, etc. and then clip the old terminal with the symbol off the old can. Remove the old can, mount the new one, and use the symbol chart and lugs still on the leads to make sure you connect the right sections up in the new capacitor. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 56 -... -
Page 57: Faulty Bias Supply In Fixed Bias Amplifiers
Suspect this if the hum changes loudness or tone when you move or turn the amp. There is usually nothing you can do about this except move the amp to where the hum is less. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 57 -... -
Page 58: Poor Internal Wire Routing
Hiss Some noise or hiss is normal if you have used carbon composition resistors. TRIWATT kits are supplied with Carbon Film and Metal film resistors similar to the original. This style of resistor has inherent noise. -
Page 59: Squealing/Feedback
5. Place ferrite beads over the shielded input cable. 6. Try grounding the shield of the shielded input cable to the chassis instead of the preamp ground. Other useful measures to take in extreme circumstances: TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 59 -... -
Page 60: Scratchy Sounds On Potentiometer(S)
• Are the tubes mechanically rattling? Hold them and see if the rattle goes away. Replace if necessary. • Are the Controls loose? (toggles/mounting rings etc.) • Is the Chassis loose? - tighten & listen TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 60 -... - Page 61 Make sure all the components are away from the board and not touching, and put neoprene 3/8’ X 1/8’ window sealer with one adhesive side, between chassis and wherever it touches the cabinet. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 61 -...
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Page 62: More Tips For Fine Tuning Your Amp
V2 Pin 3 - Townshend /Who CP103 2k2 + 47nF (47nF = .047uf) V2 Pin 3 - Page/SAP DR103 1k5 + 47nF If you want to mod your TRIWATT to any of these versions, solder the extra components onto the existing turrets. -
Page 63: Running El34 Tubes In The Triwatt
THIS MODIFICATION IS EXPERIMENTAL & AND DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK. The EL34 can work in a TRIWATT but you have to make a couple of changes. This will definitely have similar headroom to a 4 holer and a bit more volume than the standard TRIWATT. -
Page 64: Installing A Passive Effects Loop
To accommodate the send & return jacks in the chassis drill two new holes between the Output Jack and OD Footswitch jack. This works well, and places the send and return jacks in exactly the right place to have the shortest cable runs possible. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 64 -... - Page 65 Close or Identical: 5871, 6AY5, 6P6C*, 6V6, 6V6G, 6V6GTA, 6V6GTY, 6V6Y, 7184, CV509, CV510, CV511, OSW3106, VT107, VT227, WT2100082, WTT123, 6Pi6 KT66 - Audio Beam Tetrode Power Tube Close or identical CV1075, CV321, VT75(RAF) TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 65 -...
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Page 66: First The Code
They have a different temperature coefficient in order to provide the 1% tolerance. At 1%, most error is in the temperature coefficient - i.e. 20ppm. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 66 -... - Page 67 Now for an example: A capacitor marked 104 is 10 with 4 more zeros or 100,000pF which is otherwise referred to as a 0.1 µF capacitor. Most kit builders don't need to go further but there is sometimes a tolerance code given by a single letter. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 67 -...
- Page 68 .0047 5000 .005 10000 12000 .012 20000 22000 .022 47000 .047 100000 680000 Table 2 Letter tolerance code Letter symbol Tolerance of capacitor 0.10% 0.25% 0.5% 0.5% 0.05% P +100% Z +80% TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 68 -...
- Page 69 DC output and the first filter cap. On a TRIWATT, it is measured between the joined lugs of the 50+50 cap and chassis ground. It should be about 450 VDC with tubes, with 120 VAC mains.
- Page 70 Then, when done, remove the completed jacks, mount them correctly inside the chassis and tighten up the mounting screws and solder up the other end of the shielded wires to the tag strips at V1. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 70 -...
- Page 71 TIP: More, larger format, colour pictures and the schematic & layout that are helpful in the build are posted on the Trinity Forum – Resources Section. Right click on them to download if you want print in large, colour format.
- Page 72 You should get continuity between the tip and chassis with nothing plugged in because of the shorting jack and the cross over wire. From 18W Forum – loverocker & ebe TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 72 -...
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Page 73: Appendix 6- Triwatt Bill Of Materials
Appendix 6- TRIWATT Bill of Materials DESCRIPTION CHECK TRIWATT CUSTOM LEAD KIT WITH TRANSFORMER SET, CHASSIS, PANEL TRIWATT RESISTORS METAL FILM RESISTORS - THROUGH HOLE 1WATT 1 OHMS 1% CARBON FILM RESISTORS - THROUGH HOLE 100 OHMS 5% CARBON FILM RESISTORS- THROUGH HOLE 470 OHMS 5% WIREWOUND RESISTORS - THROUGH HOLE 1.0K OHMS 5% TOL... - Page 74 MACHINE SCREW PHILLIPS PAN HEAD 4-40X5/16 L HEX NUT EXT TOOTH LOCKWASHER 4-40 TERMINALS TERMINALS LUG LOCKING MATTE TINNED#4 MACHINE SCREW PHILLIPS PAN HEAD 6-32X3/8 L MACHINE SCREW PHILLIPS PAN HEAD 6-32X3/4 L TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 74 -...
- Page 75 CORD - POWER 18 AWG 3 CONDUCTOR DETACHABLE BLACK IEC LENGTH: 8 FEET TRIWATT POWER TRANSFORMER TRIWATT OUTPUT TRANSFORMER 3.5/8K TRIWATT OVERDRIVE RELAY BOARD (IF PURCHASED) TWO RELAY PCB WITH PSU LINEAR VOLTAGE REGULATORS 1A POS VOL REG ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS - RADIAL LEADED 3300UF 10V ELECT NHG RADIAL MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITORS MLCC - LEADED 0.1UF 50VOLTS Y5V +80/-20% 2.5MM...
- Page 76 RELAY PSU TRANSFORMER EYELET BOARD BELDEN RG174/U COAXIAL CABLE 22 GUAGE SOLID CORE WIRE (VARIOUS COLOURS) TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 76 -...
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Page 77: Appendix 7- Triwatt Overdrive Footswitch
Appendix 7- TRIWATT Overdrive Footswitch TRIWATT Footswitch Relay Board Installation Layout TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 77 -... -
Page 78: Trinity Amps 9642-Ex-1 Transformer Schematics
TRIWATT Footswitch Relay Board Component Location 1. Build the Relay PCB following the Footswitch Relay Board Component Location. Locate the: 1 - Relay PCB 1 - Linear Voltage Reg 1A 2 - Al. El. Cap. - 3300uf 10V 1 - Multilayer Cer. Cap Leaded 0.1uf... - Page 79 Note that it has a metal tab on one side. This faces “inwards” towards the Bridge Rectifier. The PCB is marked with the correct orientation. Insert it into the board and solder it in place. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 79 -...
- Page 80 BUILD THE POWER TRANSFORMER BOARD Align the Small power transformer pins to fit the holes in the supplied PCB. Solder Jumpers as required. TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 80 -...
- Page 81 7. Connect coaxial cable to the front panel; Connect coaxial cable to the front panel to V2 8. Connect wires to tubes socket (V2) footswitch jack and front panel switch, carefully following the TRIWATT FOOTSWITCH RELAY BOARD INSTALLATION LAYOUT 9. Test the Relay operation.
- Page 82 Trinity Amps 9642-EX-1 Transformer Schematics TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 82 -...
- Page 83 TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 83 -...
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Page 84: Trinity Amps Schematics And Layouts
Trinity Amps Schematics and Layouts TRIWATT Builders Guide Ver. 3.7.docx - 84 -...
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