6.3V Filament Wire ?

tele-martini · March 3rd, 2008, 08:00 PM

On my last build I used 18 gauge cloth covered wire that came with the kit. To be honest the solid core wire at 18 awg was kinda stiff and the cloth a little messy. I'm thinking of replacing with some 22 gauge poly covered solid wire that I know will look neater and cleaner.Since voltage is low I'm thinking it won't be a problem. Is the thinner wire Ok for filament wires?

teleamp · March 3rd, 2008, 09:18 PM

It's not the voltage that you have to worry about, it's the amount of current (amperage). It depends on the current draw of the tube heater element.

Mike

tele-martini · March 4th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleamp

It's not the voltage that you have to worry about, it's the amount of current (amperage). It depends on the current draw of the tube heater element.

Mike

Understood. That being said what kinda amperage would 2 x 6V6 and 2 x 12AX7 tubes pull to heat tubes ? What could happen if the 20 0r 22 gauge wire I'd like to use were insufficent? As you can see I have much to learn and understand on the subject of amp building.

11 Gauge · March 4th, 2008, 01:24 PM

You're looking at about 2-3 amps, roughly. That doesn't sound like much, but it actually is significant.

If your wire gauge is too small, it will increase the current. If you're lucky, you'll burn up a wire or two. If you're unlucky, you'll smoke the filament windings in the power tranny.

I've used 20-18 gauge successfully with no meltdowns, in amps with 3+ preamp tubes and a pair of EL34's (tetrodes tend to draw significantly more current).

1293 · March 4th, 2008, 01:39 PM

6V6's are 0.45A each.
12AX7's are 0.3A (2 X 0.15)

So that's 1.5A. 22 AWG is good for 7A. That said, I have always used 18 AWG because I like to frustrate myself trying to get two of those fat suckers through the tiny little holes on a 9-pin socket.

11 Gauge · March 4th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1293

I have always used 18 AWG because I like to frustrate myself trying to get two of those fat suckers through the tiny little holes on a 9-pin socket.

sjhusting · March 4th, 2008, 02:54 PM

Use the 18 on the power tubes and 22 on the preamp tubes.

No one will arrest you if you use two different wire gauges.

If the power tubes are el84s, you can use the thinner wire there too.

steven

March 3rd, 2008, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
tele-martini Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hilton, NY Age: 49 Posts: 938 11 Photos	6.3V Filament Wire ? On my last build I used 18 gauge cloth covered wire that came with the kit. To be honest the solid core wire at 18 awg was kinda stiff and the cloth a little messy. I'm thinking of replacing with some 22 gauge poly covered solid wire that I know will look neater and cleaner.Since voltage is low I'm thinking it won't be a problem. Is the thinner wire Ok for filament wires? __________________ Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, except, possibly, two. ...Frederic Chopin Last edited by tele-martini; March 3rd, 2008 at 09:35 PM.

March 4th, 2008, 01:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,016 10 Photos	You're looking at about 2-3 amps, roughly. That doesn't sound like much, but it actually is significant. If your wire gauge is too small, it will increase the current. If you're lucky, you'll burn up a wire or two. If you're unlucky, you'll smoke the filament windings in the power tranny. I've used 20-18 gauge successfully with no meltdowns, in amps with 3+ preamp tubes and a pair of EL34's (tetrodes tend to draw significantly more current). __________________

March 3rd, 2008, 09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
teleamp Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central TX Age: 49 Posts: 667	It's not the voltage that you have to worry about, it's the amount of current (amperage). It depends on the current draw of the tube heater element. Mike

March 4th, 2008, 01:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
1293 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,546	6V6's are 0.45A each. 12AX7's are 0.3A (2 X 0.15) So that's 1.5A. 22 AWG is good for 7A. That said, I have always used 18 AWG because I like to frustrate myself trying to get two of those fat suckers through the tiny little holes on a 9-pin socket.

March 4th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
sjhusting Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 659 15 Photos	Use the 18 on the power tubes and 22 on the preamp tubes. No one will arrest you if you use two different wire gauges. If the power tubes are el84s, you can use the thinner wire there too. steven