Bias Scout Kit

Assembly Manual
1 ea octal socket
1 ea octal base, brown (1 3/16" dia x 7/8" hih!
1 ea 1"# / 1$ metal oxide, %lame &roo% resistor
1 ea 1## / 1/8$, 'M()) (M*+,-./'! metal %ilm, 10
1 ea 1M / 1$, metal %ilm, 10
Note: colors and styles of resistors are subject to change
However, values and wattage ratings will remain the same.
The value of an unknown resistor can be determined by
measuring the resistor with a multimeter.
2 %t tech%lex, 1/83
2 %t heat shrink, 1/8" clear, %lexible
3 in" heat shrink, 1/43 black, %lexible
2 %t wire, 22A$5 te%6el , red
2 %t wire, 22A$5 te%6el , white
2 %t wire, 22A$5 te%6el , black
6 in wire, 22A$5 te%6el 7 blue (but color 8aries!
2 %t wire, 22A$5 solid buss wire
3 in .9' insulation, clear, :2#
1 ea wire tie, &lastic, 4" 7 natural color
1 ea banana &lu black, ;ohnson style
1 ea banana &lu red, ;ohnson style
1 ea banana &lu white, ;ohnson
, solderin iron, 2)$ 7 4#$ (3)$ recommended!" * do not recommend usin
solderin uns (nothin with triers and / or liht bulbs!"
, solder, electronics rade with rosin core
, wire cutters, diaonal (%lush cut &re%erred!
, wire stri&&ers, 22 A$5
, needle nose &liers
, hobby kni%e
, scale / ruler 7 im&erial raduations (in inches!
, multimeter (able to measure <' milli8olts and <' resistance / continuity!
, heat un (%or shrinkin heat shrink!"
, su&er lue (or similar %ast actin adhesi8e!
(or current manual u&dates as well as reat biasin hints, re%er to our biasin
website= htt&=//www"tubede&ot"com/biasuide"html
Step 1 7 'ut three 4" lenths o% clear 1/83 heat shrink tubin (this is not the :2#
clear insulation tubin which is used %or a later ste&!"
Step 2 7 'ut three 2" lenths o% clear 1/83 heat shrink tubin (this is not the :2#
clear insulation tubin which is used %or a later ste&!"
Step 3 7 -hrink a 2" lenth o% clear heat shrink tubin 3/8" %rom the end o% the 22
A$5 red, white, and black wires (drawin 3"1!"
Step 4 7 -hrink a 4" lenth o% clear heat shrink tubin 3/8" %rom the end o% each o%
these 22 A$5 wires o8er the &re8iously a&&lied 2" lenth on all three wires
(drawin 3"1!
Step 5 7 -tri& 3/8" o% the wire insulation %rom the ends o% each o% the three 22
A$5 wires where the heat shrink is a&&lied (drawin 3"1!"
Step 6 7 -e&arate the two &ieces %rom each o% the red, white, and black banana
&lus and solder one metal &lu end onto the 3/8" stri&&ed end o% the 22 A$5 red
wire (drawin 3"1!"
Step 7 7 >rim any wire that is ex&osed %rom the side solder hole so that the &lastic back will thread
2
Version 3.0 05 February 2014
Wire Bunde !sse"by
#n$entory o% &arts
1
'eco""ended (oos ) Suppies
3
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
TubeDepot.com pg 1
dra.in, 3.1
(/
&ro&erly onto the metal &lu"
Step 0 7 ?e&eat the ste&s 6 and 7 %or the remainin
white and black wires"
Step 1 7 *nstall the red &lastic back to the banana &lu
on the metal banana end attached to the red wire"
*nstall the white back to the banana &lu on the metal
banana end attached to the white wire" *nstall the black
back to the banana &lu on the metal banana end
attached to the black wire"
Step 10 7 +oosely twist these three wires toether
startin at the &oint where the 4" clear heat shrink sto&s
until the o&&osite end o% the three wires" @e care%ul to
kee& the three banana &lus at the same lenth"
2eat S3rin45 2i,3 6urabiity 7o$erin, 8ption9
Step 11a 7 'ut a 2#" lenth o% black, hih %lex heat
shrink tubin" -lide this heat shrink tubin o8er the
twisted wire bundle alinin this black heat shrink tubin
to where it co8ers 1/4" o8er the three &re8iously a&&lied
4" clear heat shrink tubin (drawin 3"2!"
Step 12a 7 -hrink this black tubin o8er the wire bundle
makin sure to maintain alinment"
Step 13a 7 Ance the heat shrink is &ro&erly shrunk o8er
the wires, on the end without the banana &lus, care%ully
trim back the heat shrink to ex&ose 1,1/4" o% the three
wires (drawin 3"2!"
Step 14a 7 'ut a 1/2" lenth o% black, hih %lex heat
shrink tubin"
slide this heat shrink tubin o8er the trimmed end and
o8er the &re8iously installed tubin" Alin one end o% this
&iece %lush with the ede o% the &re8iously installed heat
shrink"
Step 15a 7 -hrink this black tubin in &lace, creatin a
short second layer o% heat shrink (drawin 3"2!"
(proceed to step 16)
(ec3Fe+ 7o$erin, 8ption9
Step 11b 7 -lide the 1/83 tech%lex slee8in o8er the
twisted wire bundle, alinin the tech%lex to where it
co8ers 1/4" o8er the three &re8iously a&&lied 4" clear
heat shrink tubin"
Step 12b 7 'ut a 13 lenth o% 1/43 black heat shrink
tubin and slide it o8er the tech%lex co8erin the wire
bundle" >his 13 black heat shrink should o8er la& the
end o% the tech%lex (at the clear heat shrink end! by 1/43
(drawin 3"4!"
Step 13b 7 -hrink this 13 lenth o% heat shrink in &lace, bein
9/?B care%ul not to melt the tech%lex"
Note: use a small strip of masking tape or aluminum foil to
protect the techflex from melting when heating the heat shrink.
Use isopropyl or rubbing! alcohol to remove any adhesive left
behind.
Step 14b 7 >rim back the end o% the tech%lex (o&&osite the
&lus! to ex&ose 1,1/23 o% the three 22A$5 wires"
Step 15b 7 'ut a 1/23 lenth o% black heat shrink and slide it
onto the tech%lex on the end with the ex&osed wires" $ith 1/43
o% the heat shrink co8erin the tech%lex, shrink in &lace, aain
bein 9/?B care%ul not to melt the tech%lex (see abo8e note!"
Step 16 7 stri& 1/43 o% insulation %rom each o% the three 1,1/43
lenth o% ex&osed 22 A$5 wires"
Step 17 7 lihtly tin the ends o% these wires with solder"
Step 10 7 stri& 1/43 o% insulation %rom the 63 lenth o% 22A$5
wire (blue is shown but the kit may come with other colors!"
Step 11 7 lihtly tin the end o% this wire with solder"
dra.in, 3.3 dra.in, 3.2
dra.in, 3.4
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e- TubeDepot.com pg 2
Note: tinning refers to applying "ust enough solder to the stripped ends
of the wires to hold the stranded wires together. The solder should
lightly cover the strands and fill in the spaces
between the strands. #t should be the same
thickness along the length and should not be
excessive or thick at any one point.
Step 1 7 $ith socket in hand, re%er to drawin 4"1
to con%irm correct terminal numberin" >he
numberin on the actual socket is misleadin so be
cautious" Cse the uide &in orientation and drawin
4"1 %or accurate re%erence"
Step 2 7 +ocate terminal 8 and cut o%% the end
(drawin 4"2!" @e%ore cuttin, make sure to &ro&erly
identi%y which is terminal 8"
Step 3 7 'ut se8en (7! 33 lenths o% 22 A$5
buss wire"
Step 4 7 (orm a small hook at the end o% each o%
these 33 wires"
Step 5 7 Attach these wires to the terminals (1 7
7! as shown (drawin 4"3! and solder in &lace
(drawin 4"4!" <o not connect a wire to terminal
8"
Step 6 7 'ut se8en (7! 3/83 lenths o% clear 1/43 heat shrink and
slide them o8er terminals 1 7 7 (drawins 4") and 4"6! and shrink
into &lace"
$ll bases should come
predrilled. #n case your base
comes without a hole, refer to
the drawing for drilling
instructions.
Step 1 7 $ith a shar& hobby
kni%e, enlare the holes at the
ends o% &ins 3 and 8 (drawin
)"1!" >est to insure these
enlared holes are able to
accommodate both a
22A$5 wire and the lead
%rom the 1 ohm resistor at
the same time"
Step 2 7 'ut a 1/43 lenth
o% :2# clear &lastic
insulation tubin (this is
not the same as the 1/83
clear heat shrink tubin!"
Step 3 7 'ut a 7/163
lenth o% :2# clear &lastic
insulation tubin (this is not the same as the
1/83 clear heat shrink tubin!"
Step 4 7 +ocate the 1M ohm resistor"
resistor may have color bands% brown, black,
black, yellow, brown
Step 5 7 -lide the 7/163 lenth o% :2# clear
&lastic insulatin tubin onto one lead o% the 1M
resistor (drawin )"2!"
Step 6 7 @end the lead o% the 1M resistor as
shown in drawins )"3, )"4, and )")"
Step 7 7 -lide the 1/43 lenth o% :2# clear insulatin tubin on the
lead o% the 1M resistor as shown in drawin )"6"
Step 0 7 +ocate the brown 1## ohm resistor (?D))!"
Step 1 7 @end the leads o% the 1## ohm resistor as shown in drawin )"7"
5
4
Soc4et &reparation
dra.in, 4.2
dra.in, 4.1
dra.in, 4.5
dra.in, 4.3
dra.in, 4.4
dra.in, 4.6
Base &reparation
dra.in, 5.1
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
dra.in, 5.3
dra.in, 5.4
dra.in, 5.2
dra.in, 5.6 :
dra.in, 5.7
drilling guide
(if needed)
TubeDepot.com pg 3
dra.in, 5.5
Step 10 7 +ocate the blue 1"# ohm / 1$ resistor and bend the lead o%
this 1"# ohm resistor as shown in drawins )"8"
Step 11 7 *nstall the &re&ared 1M resistor into the base as shown in
drawin )"E (side 8iew!, )"1# (to& 8iew!" -lide the resistor into the hollow sha%t o% the uide &in and
insert the a&&ro&riate lead into &in 3 o% the octal base"
Step 12 7 -lide one lead o% the &re&ared 1## ohm resistor into &in 8 o% the octal base as shown in
drawin )"11 (side 8iew! and )"12 (to& 8iew!" (orm the lead %rom the already inserted 1M resistor
around the 1## ohm resistor lead as shown in the drawins and trim the excess"
Step 13 7 -lide one lead o% the &re&ared 1"# ohm resistor into &in 8 o% the octal base (shared with
lead o% &re8iously installed 1## ohm resistor! as shown in drawin )"13 (side 8iew! and )"14 (to&
8iew!" *t is im&ortant that leads %rom both the 1## ohm resistor and the 1"# ohm resistor exit the end
o% &in 8 o% the octal base (see side 8iew drawin )"13!"
Step 1 7 (eed the three 1,1/43 lenth o%
wires %rom the wire bundle into the o&enin
in the tube socket base"
Step 2 7 .ress the stri&&ed and tinned end
o% the black wire into &in 8 alon with the
1"# ohm resistor and the 1## ohm resistor
leads" An the inside o% the base, soder in
pace this black wire alon with the two
com&onent leads at this &oint" *t is not
necessary to %ill the entire &in with solder,
Fust make a sim&le connection between the
wire, the leads, and the to& o% &in 3 (&hoto 6"1!"
Step 3 7 (orm a small hook at the end o% the remainin stri&&ed ends o% the two wires and solder the
red wire to the Functure o% the 1M and 1## ohm resistors (drawins 6"2!"
Step 4 7 +oo& the hook o% the white wire to the %ree end o% the 1"# ohm resistor"
Step 5 7 (orm a small hook at the end o% the 63 lenth o% 22A$5 wire (blue is shown but the kit may
come with other colors!"
;oinin, t3e Wire Bunde to t3e 8cta Base
6
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
dra.in, 5.1
dra.in, 5.10
dra.in, 5.11 dra.in, 5.12
dra.in, 5.13
dra.in, 5.14
TubeDepot.com pg 4
dra.in, 5.0
p3oto 6.1
6ra.in, 6.2 :
Step 6 7 +oo& the hook o% this 63 wire to the %ree end o% the 1"# ohm
resistor (alon with the white wire %rom the bundle!"
Step 7 7 -older both o% the abo8e wire ends in &lace at the end o% the
1"# ohm resistor"
Step 0 7 >rim and remo8e excess com&onent leads (drawins 6"2, and
6"3!"
Step 1 7 -lowly %eed this end o% the wire bundle into the hole o% the
octal base until all the remainin 1,1/43 %ree wire is within the base"
Step 10 7 (irmly &ress a short &ortion o% the black heat shrink into the
base, until 1/43 o% the heat shrink end is within the base"
Step 11 7 (eed the wire tie around the end o% the bundle within the
base and &osition the tie as close to the ede o% base" .ull the tie 8ery
tiht and cli& o%% the end" ?otate the tie end as close to the bottom o%
the base as &ossible (drawin 6"4!"
Note: &nce the '.( ohm resistor is in a
safe position, apply a liberal dab of
silicon sealant or glue nothing water
based! on the side of the '.( resistor
facing the guide pin. This should hold
the '.( resistor firmly away from pin )
and * or the lead connected to pin ).
Note: before continuing, review your
work to insure accuracy. +ecause, once
the socket and base are glued and
soldered, they cannot be separated.
Step 1 7 $ith the octal socket in hand, bend all se8en o% the 22 A$5
wires straiht and in a circular arranement &re&ared %or insertin into
the base"
Step 2 7 Mo8e the end o% the 63 lenth o% wire attached to the end o%
the 1"# resistor to the outside o% octal base"
Step 3 7 @einnin with the wire soldered to terminal three o% the
socket, bein %eedin these wires into the a&&ro&riate &ins o% the base"
Step 4 7 (eed all se8en wires until they exit out the o&&osite end o% the
&ins by about 1/2 inch"
Step 5 7 Ance all o% the wires ha8e been %ed into the &ins, trim the blue
(or some other color! wire attached to the 1"# resistor to 33"
Step 6 7 -tri& and tin the end o% this now 33 lenth o% wire"
Step 7 7 @end a small hook at the end o% this 33 lenth o% wire and
solder to terminal 8 o% the socket (&hoto 7"1!
Step 0 7 .ush the socket into the base, &ullin on the ex&osed wires
%rom the &ins"
Step 1 7 *% the socket doesnGt %it %lush with the base, then slihtly &ull
the two &arts a&art and mo8e wire(s! and &ossibly the &lastic tie end
and retry"
Step 10 7 ?e&eat the abo8e until the socket %its %lush into the base" *
recommend alinin the uide &in o&enin o% the socket with the uide
&in o% the base as closely as &ossible"
Step 11 7 -lihtly &ull the two &arts a&art and +*5H>+B a&&ly su&er
lue on the socket ede" Ance the lue is in &lace, %irmly &ress the two
&arts toether and hold / clam&"
Step 12 7 Ance the lue has set, turn the base o8er and a&&ly a small dab o% solder into each o% the
ends o% all eiht base &ins"
Step 13 7 ?emo8e any excess solder %rom around the ends o% the &ins with the hobby kni%e and %lush
cut the excess wires %rom the &ins with the wire cutters"
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
TubeDepot.com pg 5
dra.in, 6.3
7
;oinin, t3e Soc4et to t3e Base
dra.in, 6.4
&3oto 7.1
Note: ,efer to the included schematic for proper electrical connections.
Step 1 7 $ith your multimeter set on the
I2## ohm3 resistance scale (usually the
lowest scale!, short the red and black test
leads toether and adFust the meter to read
6ero ohms (i% &ossible!"
Step 2 7 *nsert the red lead o% the meter into
the socket, &in 1 and &lace the black lead o%
the multimeter on &in 1 o% the base"
Step 3 7 9eri%y that the resistance between
these two &oints is a&&roximately 6ero ohms"
Step 4 7 Jee&in the red lead in &in 1 o% the
socket, mo8e the black lead to each o% the
other &ins o% the base"
Step 5 7 9eri%y that between &in 1 socket
and &ins 2 7 8 o% the base measure no
resistance (in%inity 7 there%ore not shorted!"
Step 6 7 ?e&eat ste& 2 , ) %or the socket
&ins 2 7 7"
Note: #f using an auto ranging meter,
measurements between socket pin ) and
base pin -% and between socket pin - and
base pin ), a '. resistance is normal.
Step 7 7 *nsert the red meter lead into the socket, &in 8 and &lace the black lead o% the multimeter on
&in 8 o% the base and 8eri%y that the resistance between these &oints is a&&roximately 1 ohm"
Step 0 7 $ith the red lead still inserted into &in 8 o% the socket, &lace the black lead on the end o% the
white banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance between these two &oints is 6ero ohms"
Step 1 7 $ith the red lead still inserted into &in 8 o% the socket, &lace the black lead on the end o% the
black banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance between these two &oints is a&&rox" 1 ohm"
Step 10 7 $ith the red meter lead still inserted into &in 8 o% the socket, &lace the black meter lead on
the end o% the red banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance is a&&roximately 1#1 ohms"
Step 11 7 Mo8e the red meter lead to the end o% the red banana &lu and &lace the black lead on the
end o% the black banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance between these &oints is a&&rox"1## ohms"
Step 12 7 Mo8e the red lead o% the meter to the white banana &lu and the black lead to the end o%
the black banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance is a&&roximately 1 ohm"
Step 13 7 'hane the resistance measurement rane on the meter to the I2#M3 settin (o%ten the
hihest settin!"
Step 14 7 *nsert the red meter lead into &in 3 o% the socket and &lace the black meter lead on the end
o% the red banana &lu and 8eri%y that the resistance is a&&roximately 1M (1,###,###! ohms"
<=6 >ou are ready to use your co"peted Bias Scout .
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
TubeDepot.com pg 6
8
(estin, Be%ore ?se
(/
@@@ 'ead t3ese sa%ety precautions be%ore continuin, @@@
!AA tube am&li%iers contain A<(2!A V8A(!B<S5 o%ten se8eral hundred 8olts which W#AA lea8e
burnt entrance and exit wounds in skin i% accidentally touched" >hese 8oltaes ha8e the &otential to
cause per"anent p3ysica da"a,e and deat3" >hese 8oltaes are &resent when the am& is turned
on and also %or some time a%ter the am& has been turned o%%" >ou can sti ,et s3oc4ed .it3 a tube
a"p turned o%% and disconnected %ro" !7 po.er.
>he abo8e statement is a bit scary, but we want to stress that e8ery &iece o% electronic eKui&ment
must be treated with res&ect" $hen A' &ower is a&&lied, there is always a chance %or inFury or death"
$ith tube am&s, e8en when the A' &ower is not a&&lied there is still daner" @ein shocked with hih
8oltae is 8ery &ain%ul and we do not want anyone %indin out the hard way"
$hen buildin this kit, we want your ex&eriences to be both enFoyable and sa%e" >here are more
kits to assemble and we want you to enFoy buildin and usin them all"
@iasin an am& will likely ex&ose you to 8ery danerous 8oltaes" *% you are uncom%ortable or i%
you lack &ro&er ex&erience or trainin, then re%er biasin to a Kuali%ied am&li%ier technician"
Note: The following biasing procedure is for a correctly functioning amplifier with a class $+ output
stage. This amp should have a single ad"ustable bias not balance! control.
Note: +ecause all amps are different, refer specific biasing /uestions to either the appropriate amp
manufacturer or to a /ualified tube amplifier technician.
Note: #t is important that your amp 0&12 N&T have a cathode biasing resistor already installed
inside the amp. #f your amp has a test points! for setting the bias, the T0 +ias 2cout likely 3#44
N&T ,1$0 5&,,15T46. 5ontact your amp7s manufacturer for more information.
Note: The +ias 2cout will N&T work with 7591 power tubes.
Step 1 7 ?emo8e the &ower tubes o% the am& you are &re&arin to
bias"
Step 2 7 +ocate the adFustable bias control"
Step 3 7 A&&ly A' mains &ower to the am& but kee& the am& on
standby"
Step 4 7 $ith your multimeter set to the hihest <' 8oltae settin
()##9 or more!, insert the red meter lead into &in ) o% one the em&ty
tube sockets and &lace the black meter lead aainst the metal
chassis o% the am&"
Step 5 7 Bou should be readin a neati8e 8oltae" AdFust the bias
control %or the most neati8e 8oltae as read on the meter"
Step 6 7 <isconnect &ower %rom the am& and remo8e the meter
leads"
Step 7 7 *nstall a &ower tube into the >< @ias -cout L and install
the tube and @ias scout L into one o% the em&ty tube sockets"
Step 0 7 *nstall the remainin &ower tubes"
Step 1 7 Make sure the am& is &ro&erly connected to a s&eaker
load" >urn all the 8olume and tone controls to 6ero / minimum"
Step 10 7 -et the multimeter to the 2## milli8olt 67 settin (2##m!"
Step 11 7 *nsert the black banana &lu o% the @ias -cout L into the
I'AM3 o% the meter"
Step 12 7 *nsert the red banana &lu o% the @ias -cout L into the I9A+>-3 in&ut o% the meter"
*instructions continued on ne+t pa,e-
C 6#S7A!#/<' C
(ube6epot.co"5 itDs e"poyees5 o%%icers5 s3are3oders5 in$estors and
subsidiaries accept no iabiity %or any da"a,e*s-5 inEury*s- or deat3 incurred
%ro" or .3ie buidin, or usin, t3is 4it.
TubeDepot.com pg 7
&3oto 7.1
9
?sin, t3e Bias Scout
(/
Step 13 7 A&&ly &ower to the am& (the am& should be on standby!
and allow the &ower tubes to warm u& %or a %ew minutes"
Step 14 7 A%ter the tubes ha8e warmed u&, take the am& o%% o%
standby (as i% you are oin to &lay!
Step 15 7 >he meter should dis&lay a milli8olt readin" >his readin re&resents the .+A>/
9A+>A5/ o% the am&" $rite this number down"
Step 16 7 .lace the am& on standby and remo8e the red banana &lu %rom the meter"
Step 17 7 *nsert the white banana &lu in &lace o% the red &lu in the I9A+>-3 in&ut o% the meter"
Step 10 7 >ake the am& o%% o% standby (like you are oin to &lay the am&!
Step 11 7 >he meter should dis&lay a milli8olt readin" >his readin re&resents the 'A>HA</
'C??/D> o% the indi8idual tube" (3is is t3e bias "easure"ent to be adEusted.
Step 20 7 Csin the am&Gs bias control, adFust the le8el o% 'A>HA</ 'C??/D> as recommended
by the am& manu%acturer and based on the le8el o% your &late 8oltae (as measured earlier!"
Note: 0o not play the amp with the +ias 2cout 8 installed. There is a risk of damaging the +ias
2cout 8 when doing so.
Step 21 7 Ance the bias is set, remo8e A' &ower %rom the am&" ?emo8e the &ower tube and the
@ias -cout M %rom the am&" ?emo8e the tube %rom the @ias -cout L and insert the tube into your
am&"
>our a"p is no. propery biased and ready to pay F
(or additional biasin hints and our F'<< Kuick start biasin uide, 8isit our biasin (AN website at=
htt&=//www"tubede&ot"com/biasuide"html
Final note we are continually maing impro!ements to this
assembly manual in an effort to pro!ide the best instructions
possible" #herefore$ we welcome any ideas you ha!e that will
mae the assembly a better e%perience" &end your ideas to'
(obert )ull
tech*tubedepot"com
'<B!'6#=B (2<S< B88K /!(<'#!AS
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&hotora&hically is &rohibited without the ex&ress written &ermission o% the &ublisher" >he Author, .ublisher or -eller
assume no liability with res&ect to the use o% the in%ormation contained herein"
(or &ermission and other rihts under this co&yriht, contact >ube<e&ot"com"
'o&yriht M 2#11
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