Newbie BootHill 5E3 build

[Supertzar]

First time posting here, been reading a lot of build threads and Rob's amp stuff. Bought a BootHill 5E3 kit from Dave and have started laying everything out, would appreciate you checking out what I've done so far.
A couple of things I've done different from BootHill schematic:
1. Moved the 68k grid stoppers off board to their respective Lo input jacks am going to use RG174 shielded cable as per Rob's Optimized Deluxe
2. Add the rectifier backup diodes N14007

Thanks,
David

 

[Preacher]

Everything looks pretty good at first glance.

The solder joints on the bottom look a little suspect. I would reflow them just in case.

 

[Supertzar]

Preacher, I'll check them out. Thanks!

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

Welcome to TDPRI.

Test fit the board. The ground bus and perhaps the turrets may be too close to the input jacks.

 

[King Fan]

I see a lot of smart planning and already some good choices.

You can post jpgs inline for easier viewing with drag / drop or the 'upload a file' button.

As an example, and a detail, in this pic, I’m confused about the orientation/rotation of the pots. ???

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

A suggestion for the heater wiring. Image from the valve wizard.

 

[Supertzar]

I see a lot of smart planning and already some good choices.

You can post jpgs inline for easier viewing with drag / drop or the 'upload a file' button.

As an example, and a detail, in this pic, I’m confused about the orientation/rotation of the pots. ???

View attachment 904969

King Fan,
Thought I saw changing orientation of the pots on drawing, looks like I had a big ole brain fart. That orientation won't be good for any troubleshooting/repair later. I'll put back per normal drawings.

 

[Supertzar]

Welcome to TDPRI.

Test fit the board. The ground bus and perhaps the turrets may be too close to the input jacks.

LowerLeftCoast,
I have been and yes it'll be close with the LO jacks oriented as I have them will work on rotating them for better clearance.

 

[Supertzar]

A suggestion for the heater wiring. Image from the valve wizard.

View attachment 904972

Hadn't seen that one! Valve Wizard has some more stuff for me to read!

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

I don't know if you can get the wire to cooperate and lay on the chassis like this. Below is a photo of how the ladies at Fender wired them back in the day. I think the tape label says *Lupe* (Lupe Lopez). The picture is from member keithb7 of a 5E3. Of course you are using a modern heater wiring, and shielded wire from the jacks, but the other wires can get some shielding benefit from hugging the chassis.

Something to strive for.

 

[Supertzar]

My intent is to get the wires to do that the best I can.

 

[King Fan]

Yeah, that’s the goal. In actuality your modern skinny-style plastic-coated wire is gonna be kinky and loopy compared to Fender's cloth wire, which would sit up, lie down, and roll over on command. But look through a dozen build pics with your wire type and practice 'training' it. Even if you can’t be Lupe, close counts here.

 

[Supertzar]

I see a lot of smart planning and already some good choices.

You can post jpgs inline for easier viewing with drag / drop or the 'upload a file' button.

As an example, and a detail, in this pic, I’m confused about the orientation/rotation of the pots. ???

View attachment 904969

I've oriented the pots to the layout and re-oriented the input jacks after test fit put the low jack tips very close to the turrets and my ground bus. Do I need to make sure my ground lead off of normal low jack stays off the chassis on it's way to my pre-amp ground bus?

 

[Supertzar]

A suggestion for the heater wiring. Image from the valve wizard.

View attachment 904972

I've got started redoing my heater circuit, ran out of that wire but what do you think of the start? I intend to make it all look like the it does on the right.

 

[King Fan]

If I understand the question, yes, your ground bus should in theory not touch the chassis on its way to the input jack. Ground is ground, but you want just one path there.

 

[King Fan]

View attachment 905301

I've got started redoing my heater circuit, ran out of that wire but what do you think of the start? I intend to make it all look like the it does on the right.

I only do Merlin style for the preamp (noval) tubes -- the octals are big enough and busy enough that it's easier to approach from the outside. Does that make sense? To make it nice and confusing, I used 22ga blue & white wire for my preamp heaters. And flew the heaters from the lamp to V4, as you can see.

 

[Supertzar]

If I understand the question, yes, your ground bus should in theory not touch the chassis on its way to the input jack. Ground is ground, but you want just one path there.

That's exactly what I wanted to make sure of. Thanks!

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

The heater wiring looks good. The last 5E3 types I built had the heater wires come in above the 6V6 sockets and from there went to the chassis like you have yours now. I guess it was sort of a hybrid. You have options.

This is not a very good picture of the heater wiring but you can get the idea.

 

[Supertzar]

It's been a bit since I posted up here. I got everything wired up and put in the chassis, followed Rob's guidance testing wiring, resistors, grounds. Did find one of my 220K grid leak resistors is bad. Ordered up replacement since no place close by me.

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[mountainhick]

It's been a bit since I posted up here. I got everything wired up and put in the chassis, followed Rob's guidance testing wiring, resistors, grounds. Did find one of my 220K grid leak resistors is bad. Ordered up replacement since no place close by me.

View media item 47604View media item 47603View media item 47602View media item 47601View media item 47600View media item 47599

Your links are just showing tdpri errors for me.