Kev's "Gonna Sing Good" WOPL 400

NavLinear said:
Nice work Jer! The build is looking good.

It looks like the TO-3 interface to the backplane has solder - is this a socket of some sort? That would be cool for output transistor replacement or trouble shooting. Any chance to get a photo of the backside?
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Hi Nav
Here are photos of the socket cups on the RevB

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NavLinear said:
Sweet! Are they flanged on one side? I'd hate to put my finger on one side of the board to hold them in place while soldering them in place. :shock:

That is a great idea Joe.
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Yes they are Nav. Mil spec quality 30 microinch gold plated socket contacts. They are nice parts.
 
NavLinear said:
Sweet! Are they flanged on one side? I'd hate to put my finger on one side of the board to hold them in place while soldering them in place. :shock:

That is a great idea Joe.
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The solder side of the board has the flanged part of the socket cups...they are easy to solder in because the base and emitter lead do not have huge thermal mass in the PC traces. The end on the component side of the board has a fibre plug in it to keep solder out during soldering. The fibre plug gets pushed out when you install the transistor leads.
 
Gepetto said:
The solder side of the board has the flanged part of the socket cups...they are easy to solder in because the base and emitter lead do not have huge thermal mass in the PC traces. The end on the component side of the board has a fibre plug in it to keep solder out during soldering. The fibre plug gets pushed out when you install the transistor leads.
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Cool. I was wondering about how to keep the solder out of the socket. I've never used anything like this before - nice stuff.
 
Thanks Guys! Did some test fitting tonight, and guess I need another 1/2" between the two (grrr.. no probs tho). Also did some "enhancing" on the PL14 driver board.. I think this one's going to look pretty when it's all done.

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That's right, Nav! The Rev B's now have solder in socket "cups" to where now output replacement is a non soldering event. I can see the utility there... :thumbright: But yep, it'll be interesting to see how easy they go in for the first time.

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Nice!

Great work, Jer, and nice photos too. My favorite kind of photo op!
That's just one of the things I enjoy about this forum, aside from being a relatively small community of dedicated audioists, we share what we do just to help. It's about helping out, and that's where it's at.
Good job!

P.S...Audioist...I kind of like that. Audiophile has a...I dunno...I don't call myself an audiophile. Audio Enthusiast, Audioist...aw shit, it's too early. I should be in bed but we have to drive to Ohio for a funeral this morning. Keep up the great work, Jer!
 
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"Audioist"... Now that has a good ring to it, Dave! And you hit it right on the head. Matter of fact I just MIGHT drive the 5 or so hours to hand deliver it to Kev, just to see the reaction when we get it all hooked up and that first note plays! :thumbright:

And we are getting CLOSE now.. Pretty much it's all wiring from here..

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Jer... I gotta ask... Is an 8 fin amp easier than a 4 fin ???? and why ?
 
kevin said:
Not that I will understand when ya tell me but I might ! :-o
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I see no real difference that would mean one is harder then the other, they are just cooling fins. I suppose the output drivers are a little tighter getting in
 
kevin said:
Jer... I gotta ask... Is an 8 fin amp easier than a 4 fin ???? and why ?
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Joe will probably chime in, but there are a few reasons. The lower hole for the board inserts has to be relocated, whereas on the 8 fin models it's in a straight vertical line from the upper one. There are a few different approaches, but yep I think I have it now after doing yours last night.

The other is the caps. Long story, but basically since the 4 fin models usually do not have the combination transformer cover / capacitor rest point it can be difficult to make sure the caps are in the correct alignment. 8 fins with the cover - easy... they are locked down with a plate and screw in the center.
 
Ok then... I got ya !!! I knew it was just more than 4 extra fins !!! Good job man.... Good job !
 
Sure is weard here without Lee.. LOL... The fish must be jumping up on the bank !!!! I beggining to wonder if he is coming back !!! I couldn't live that long without cell phone service !!! I get nervious when Im out of service for an hour !!!!
 
Northwinds said:
I see no real difference that would mean one is harder then the other, they are just cooling fins. I suppose the output drivers are a little tighter getting in
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The reason they are more difficult is that you do not know what you are dealing with when you open up a 4 finner. From what I can see, Phase Linear was searching for how to build these during the 4 fin era, every week it was something different inside. Some control board mounted with 4 posts, some with 3. The caps and bridge were mounted on the left side wall instead of the transformer die casting. It was a mystery what meters were installed and what was the lighting scheme.

By the time the 8 fin units started production, they had it figured out and all units were consistently built from there on out.

It is impossible to write up a consistent set of conversion instructions for the 4 fin models.
 
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Understood. Yeah, I have seen little meters in 400s!!!

Gepetto said:
The reason they are more difficult is that you do not know what you are dealing with when you open up a 4 finner. From what I can see, Phase Linear was searching for how to build these during the 4 fin era, every week it was something different inside. Some control board mounted with 4 posts, some with 3. The caps and bridge were mounted on the left side wall instead of the transformer dies cast. It was a mystery what meters were installed and what was the lighting scheme.

By the time the 8 fin units started production, they had it figured out and all units were consistently built from there on out.

It is impossible to write up a consistent set of conversion instructions for the 4 fin models.
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