Related Manuals for Trinity Amps TRIP TOP
Summary of Contents for Trinity Amps TRIP TOP
- Page 1 The Trinity Amps TRIP TOP Amp Builder's Guide For the sole personal use of Trinity Amps Customers. July 2020, Version 21.3 Parts © Trinity Amps 2005 - 2021 www.trinityamps.com...
- Page 2 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Thank You Thank you for purchasing your TRIP TOP 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. -
Page 4: Table Of Contents
WARNING ...................................... 7 Please Read this Information Carefully ..........................7 Version Control ....................................9 Builders Guide General Theory ..............................11 Trip Top Description ..................................11 Biasing Tube Amps ..................................13 Building an Amp .................................... 14 Introduction ....................................14 Switches and wire ..................................14 Physical layout ................................... - Page 5 Builders Guide General Troubleshooting ..........................62 Distortion ....................................62 Tone Tweaking ....................................65 Running KT88 Tubes in the TRIP TOP ..........................65 Output Power Measurements ..............................66 Appendix 1 – Power Transformer Schematics ......................... 67 Appendix 2 - Vacuum Tube Bias Tables............................ 69 Appendix 3 - How to read Resistor Color Codes ........................
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Page 6: 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: sales@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. Therefore, if you do find an error, please let us know about it and we will correct it. -
Page 7: Warning
While efforts are made to ensure accuracy of these circuits, no guarantee is provided, of any kind! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK: TRINITY AMPS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THIS INFORMATION! ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED 'AS-IS' AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. - Page 8 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 9: Version Control
31Jul20 Note for 15K bias range resistor added. 2.06 20Aug20 Changed to 15K bias range resistor. 21.2 28Jul21 Updated BOM to correct missing 2-22K Tone Board resistors 21.3 21.3 16Aug21 Updated heater -Hum pot wiring. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 10 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 11: Builders Guide General Theory
Trinity offerings which have a focus on a very smooth but sparkly top end (the Triwatt being the one that slightly deviated). The Trip Top is the opposite - there's still a nice smooth top end - band plenty of it - but this amp is all about low end girth and grind. - Page 12 While 1N4007 solid state rectifier diodes were used for the "NB" configuration, this was not incorporated into the design but can be a user implemented option. The Trip Top is designed to output approximately 30 watts in cathode bias mode and 40 watts in fixed bias mode.
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Page 13: Biasing Tube Amps
Aside from frying the tube this situation can potentially damage the output transformer, so if you ever see this happening while playing it's best to shut the amp down right away and have it serviced. This is an extreme situation that shouldn't happen under proper operating conditions. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 14: Building An Amp
Run one wire to the star ground point from each collection. (3) Run exactly one wire from the star ground point to chassis. (4) Insulate the input and output jacks from the chassis. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 15: Insulated Jacks
Use a stand for the soldering iron, a sponge to keep the tip clean, de-soldering wick material and clip leads. You should also have a multi-meter with at least 500V range, preferably 1000V and an audible continuity Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 16: Soldering
The solder joint should be clean and shiny. (ROHS joints are not as shiny as non-ROHS). If it is dull looking it may be a ‘cold solder joint’ which is not a good electrical connection. If a solder joint is suspect, heat it with the iron to reflow the solder. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 17: Tube Pin Numbering
Note that there is a key to ensure the tube is inserted correctly into the socket. 6SL7 6L6 /KT88 6SL7 6L6 /KT88 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. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 18: Assembly Steps Summary
10-32 X 3/8 Mount Output and Power trans. With KEPS lock nuts & washers 10-32 X 2 Mount chassis to cabinet. Use cage nuts in square holes pressed into chassis. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 19 #6-2 #4-2 #4-2 #4-2 #4-2 #4-2 #4-2 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 20 Volume Controls, pre- Stand-By switch, pre- wire the switch with a wire the switch with a 500pf bright capacitor .01uf 1Kv capacitor as shown. and 220K 2W resistor 220K 2W as shown. .01uf 1KV DISC CAP Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 21 Use the fibre shoulder washer and flat washer pair, to insulate the Switchcraft switched preamp output jack from the chassis. The fibre shoulder washer goes on the inside; fibre flat washer the outside. Install the two output jacks making sure they are tightened tightly. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 22: Wiring
• Use Black, White 18 Gauge, stranded, for power supply hook up - to transformers from IEC socket. • Re-use cut offs from the transformers for the power supply side. • Use RG174U for coaxial connections as indicated on the layout Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 23: Grounding Scheme
Grounding Scheme The TRIP TOP use a single star-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 the same point on the chassis. For grounding these amps, we strongly recommend that you follow the layout provided. -
Page 24: Install Transformers
Primary and Secondary leads going through separate grommets. Bolt the transformer in place with the supplied 4 each of 10-32 bolts, KEPS nuts and washers. The secondary leads should be in-line with the impedance switch. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 25: Power Supply Wiring
Route the twisted pair wire around the outside perimeter of the chassis, following the layout diagram, pressing it flat against the chassis. Cut, strip and solder them to the Rectifier tube, V6, pins 4 and 6. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 26 Trinity Amps Trip Top Power Transformer 120V Hook-Up Trinity Amps Trip Top Power Transformer 240V Hook-Up Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 27 BLUE 16 OHMS - GREEN 8 OHMS - YELLOW 4 OHMS - ORANGE BROWN COMMON - BLACK 5.5K PRIMARY Trinity Amps Trip Top Output Transformer Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 28: Wiring The Power Switch And Indicator (120V)
Wiring the Power Switch and Indicator (120V) The Trip Top has both Power and Standby switches. Install the Power Switch so that it is in the desired on position when it is On. The toggle will be in the “UP” when on. - Page 29 Indicator. Tie Off the unused 110V leads BLACK- WHITE and WHITE- BLACK with heat shrink tubing and cable ties. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 30: Wiring The Power Switch And Indicator (240V)
Wiring the Power Switch and Indicator (240V) The Trip Top has both Power and Standby switches. Install the Power Switch so that it is in the desired on position when it is On. The toggle will be in the “UP” when... -
Page 31: Test The Power Transformer
VERY, VERY carefully, with your AC voltmeter set on maximum, check for 700VAC (with no tubes installed) at the Rectifier, V6 socket between pins 4 and 6 . If all checks out, you are good to continue to wire up the power supply components. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 32: Assembling The Capacitor Assembly
Connect 2 pieces of Red lead 12” long to the Positive end and a 6” Green lead to the Negative end. Using two tie wraps looped around the body of each capacitor and through the two holes in the chassis, firmly attach the assembly in place against the inside of the chassis. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 33 Star Ground. Prepare a 6 inch lead to reach from the junction of the 180K-2W and 47K-2W resistor pair to the turret board 47uF – 63V capacitor, when the board is installed) Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 34 Connect a lead from the black terminal post to the bottom set of lugs of the bias selector switch. (FIXED BIAS) Connect a lead from the middle terminal of the Hum Adjustment pot (terminal 2) to the junction of the 47K- 2W – 180K-2W Capacitor assembly (or to the turret board). Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 35: 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 jumper wires indicated in Red on the underside or topside of the board. Which side you use is a personal preference. - Page 36 Arrange the board according to the layout diagrams and follow them closely. Ensure that electrolytic capacitors (power supply, bypass caps) are aligned with the correct polarity on the board. There will be a ‘+’ sign, or indentation to identify the positive end of the capacitor. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 37: Install Turret Board
Alternate installation from Trinity Amps forum member JoeWPgh : Source 4 #6 nuts. Locate the 4 -#6 X 1” screws, spacers, lock washers and nuts. With the chassis right side up, thread the 4 mounting screws through the threaded holes until tight. -
Page 38: Build The Tone Boards
TRIP TOP board layout. Build the Tone Boards The Trip Top Tone controls are a Baxandall based design and are contained on two separate tone boards connected directly to the Treble and Bass control potentiometers. These two eyelet boards need to be built and made ready to be installed. -
Page 39: Install Control Bus Bar And Components
Align the bus bar with the volume terminals and leave about 2” on the end closest to the 3 Input Jacks. Ensure that no other Control terminals touch the Control Bus Bar and solder it in place to the Volume control terminals. Snip off any extra length. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 40 1 of V1 and 120K Install parts from terminal strip on chassis and parts on chassis. Connect 2-270K “mixer” resistors from terminal strip to pin 1 of V3. 220R Connect a 220R resistor between pins3 and 6 of Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 41: Connecting The Turret Board
Once cool, press the wire so that it lies flat on the board and chassis with any excess tucked underneath the board. Repeat for each turret that has a connection to a socket pin or from the turret board to a Toggle Boost switch or terminal strip for screen resistor. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 42: Connecting The Turret Board To Controls
Solder them in place following the layout provided. Follow the steps above to connect wires from turrets to controls. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 43: Output Transformer - Output Jacks
Start by soldering the Blue output transformer lead to V4 and the Brown to V5, Pin 3. Connect the Red lead to the B+ turret at the 1K 10W resistor where the standby lead is connected to the board. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 44: Connect The Impedance Selector And Speaker Output Jacks
Trinity Amps TRIP TOP Ampeg Design Output Transformer Connect the Impedance Selector and Speaker Output Jacks Referring to the Output Transformer schematic above, GREEN FROM 16 OHM TAP wire up the Impedance Selector and output jacks paying particular attention to... - Page 45 Connect from the output transformer's Common / Black lead to the Ring position of the pair of output jacks. Strip enough wire to bridge between both jacks. Check your speaker jack with and without a speaker cable plugged in to make sure it isn't shorted. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 46: Connecting The Turret Board To Power Supply
Connecting the Turret Board to Power Supply This step needs to be done very carefully as errors with High Voltages can be catastrophic!! Work slowly and carefully. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 47: Power Supply Grounds
3. Connect Pin 8 of V5 to the other Red Terminal. 4. Connect the 47K/47uF junction on the turret board bias supply to the CATHODE terminals of the of the BIAS SELECT switch. 5. CHECK YOUR WORK AGAINST THE LAYOUT DRAWING. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 48: Test The Power Supply
If it doesn’t, re-check your wiring. This is critical for the fixed bias mode to work properly. If this is confirmed, power down, remove Rectifier tube knowing the Trip Top DC supply is within spec. Once you have wired up your power supply it is a good time to test that all is connected correctly. This step assumes you tested and passed the AC aspect of your power transformer earlier. - Page 49 If it doesn’t, re-check your wiring. This is critical for the fixed bias mode to work properly. If this is confirmed, power down, remove Rectifier tube knowing the Trip Top DC supply is within spec. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 50: Connecting The Tone Boards
The ground wires on the input jacks go to the pre-amp ground bus wire and to the turret board ground at the input end. Prepare co-axial cable for connections 1. Cut back the outside plastic covering at both ends by about 5/8" to reveal the braided shield. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 51 The Tip connection is at the very end of the plug and is normally ‘positive’ polarity. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hot’ side. The other part of the plug is typically ground or ‘common’. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 52: Final Checkout
Touch each component's lead and touch the lead at the other connection. You can often measure the resistors resistance on the board to confirm they are correct. If they are not, it may be because of the interaction with a capacitor as in bypassed bias circuits. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 53: Setting The Hum Control Pot
Set the control in mid position as starting point. Once the amp is operating correctly, rotate the control to minimize any hum and use your ears to tweak for lowest hum levels coming from the Trip Top. There should be very little hum. -
Page 54: Power Up
OT primary should be at B+. If not, something is wrong at the OT. Power down immediately and check for shorts of the OT primary. This should not be the case, however. An OT short should have been caught by Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 55 270K resistors and is adjustable with the BIAS POT . Confirm that the 10K bias control pot is turned all the way down (fully counter-clockwise) to start (most negative grid voltage possible). Set the Bias Selector slide switch to select Fixed Bias. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 56: Minimizing Hum
22K resistor with a 15K resistor if not already installed. Minimizing Hum Once the amp is operating correctly, turn the Hum Control Pot and use your ears to tune for lowest hum levels coming from the Amp. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 57 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. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 58: Trinity Trip Top Voltage Charts
Trinity TRIP TOP Voltage Charts 6L6GC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS 6550 VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 59 KT88 VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS (KT88s can be treated as 6550s. See App. 1) Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 60: Warning
WARNING Please Read this Information Carefully Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 61 While efforts are made to ensure accuracy of these circuits, no guarantee is provided, of any kind! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK: TRINITY AMPS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THIS INFORMATION! ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED 'AS-IS' AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
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Page 62: Builders Guide General Troubleshooting
Builders Guide General Troubleshooting For a discussion on Guitar Amp Troubleshooting, please refer to our support page document Builders Guide General Troubleshooting Distortion The Floating Paraphase Inverter design is used many Ampeg amps. It is very rarely seen in guitar amplifiers, although Ampegs are exception. - Page 63 2 - 470K PI mix-grid resistors from both channels to V3, pin 1. Replacing the designed 270K. 2 - 220K plate resistors reduce gain of normal channel V2 pin2 & pin 5 (replace 470K located on turret board) Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 64 470K PI mix-grid resistors from both channels to V3, pin 1 220K plate resistors reduce gain of normal channel V1 pin2, pin 6 (located on turret board) 1K across 120K tone stack to lower top end boost of tone stack Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 65: Tone Tweaking
Running KT88 Tubes in the TRIP TOP The KT88/6550 can work in a TRIP TOP. You may have to make a couple of bias changes. This will have more power, headroom and volume than the standard TRIP TOP. -
Page 66: Output Power Measurements
Peak voltage = 46.0 Vp-p at 1KHz Output Power = 66.1 Watts 6L6GC GZ34 Rectifier Plate Voltage = 473 Vp-p Bias Current = 43 mA Peak voltage = 40.4 Vp-p at 500Hz Output Power = 51 Watts Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 67: Appendix 1 - Power Transformer Schematics
Appendix 1 – Power Transformer Schematics Trinity Amps HTS-11944 B15 plus PT Power Transformer HOOK-UPs Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 68 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 69: Appendix 2 - Vacuum Tube Bias Tables
20 minutes. If you see any red spots, back the current off a bit. *Large* red blotches, or even the entire plates turning red, is what you want to watch out for. KT88 Hot (70%) 400V 61mA 425V 58mA 450V 54mA 475V 52mA 500V 49mA Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 70: Appendix 3 - How To Read Resistor Color Codes
1% resistors have three bands to read digits to the left of the multiplier. 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. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 71: Appendix 4 - How To Read Capacitor Codes
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. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... - Page 72 2200 .0022 4700 .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% Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 73: Appendix 5 - Faq
Appendix 5 - FAQ Q: Where can I find more help and support? A: Sign up at the Trinity Amps Forum and check the “Resources” section or post a question in the TRIP TOP forum. NOTE: B+ stands Battery Plus == B+ and came from the old days of tubes. B+ is measured at the intersection of the rectifier DC output and the first filter cap. - Page 74 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. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 75 Solid wire stays in place better once it's positioned and a bit easier to feed through holes. If they aren't well twisted make sure they are tight against the chassis. Use 20 ga solid for heaters. It is rated for more than 5A/600Volts. Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 76: Appendix 6 - Cliff Jacks Explained
If your guitar's Volume pot is at zero, you'll find continuity to ground instead. 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 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx... -
Page 77: Appendix 6- Trip Top Bill Of Materials
Appendix 6- TRIP TOP Bill of Materials DESCRIPTION QTY. CHECK TRIPTOP BASS AMP WITH TRANSFORMER SET, CHASSIS, PANEL TRIPTOP RESISTORS METAL FILM RESISTORS - THROUGH HOLE 1WATT 1 OHMS 1% CARBON FILM RESISTORS- THROUGH HOLE 220 OHMS 5% WIREWOUND RESISTORS - THROUGH HOLE 500 OHMS 5% TOL CARBON FILM RESISTORS- THROUGH HOLE 1K OHMS 0.05... - Page 78 INTERNAL TOOTH LOCK WASHER #6 CHROME STANDOFFS & SPACERS .375 STD SPACER TERMINALS TERMINALS LUG LOCKING MATTE TINNED#6 MACHINE SCREW PHILLIPS PAN HEAD 8-32X3/8 L HEX NUT EXT TOOTH LOCKWASHER 8-32 TERMINALS TERMINALS LUG LOCKING MATTE TINNED#8 Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
- Page 79 TRIP TOP TURRET BOARD COPPER 18 GA SOLID BUS BAR TRIP TOP TONE BOARD FOAM TAPE 1/4"X .125" TRIPTOP STAINLESS CHASSIS .062 IN HEYBOER B15 300 mA, 50/60 HZ PWR TRAN HEYBOER B15 PLUS OUTPUT TRANS EZ Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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Page 80: Trinity Amps Schematics And Layouts
Trinity Amps Schematics and Layouts Trip Top Builders Guide Ver21.3.docx...
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