trinityamps.com

Long time lurker and owner and huge fan of two Trinity amps built by others (Deluxe and Lightning) seeks some guidance from the experienced wise ones on this site.
As a die-hard DIYer by nature, I am determined to (one day) build an amp. However I am a tyro WRT electronics, having merely done some reading about basic components and amp functionality (and some low voltage soldering). Both Trinity amps are sounding off (the Lightning a bit dark, and the Deluxe humming). Other than swapping out tubes, I would like to delve (one-handedly) into diagnosing the amps' issues. I see much on the site about measuring voltages, but am flummoxed about exactly how to do this.
eg. to measure V1 voltages, one lead goes on the tube-socket's pins and the other goes where - ground on the chassis? Is there a resource on the site or elsewhere that deals with such basic stuff? Also, how does one discharge caps safely?
Any help would be most appreciated.
Cheers

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Post this in the respective amp forums (under the TC15 and deluxe that is) and you will get more lookers/posts...

Is it an older 15, or a TC15?

AJC

Appears to be an older Lightning 15 (single channel)

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I can start you off.
Most builders these days solder a 220K 1 watt resistor fron the first filter cap to ground. This will slowly discharge the caps after a few moments.
Yes most DC voltages in an amp are measured with respect to ground ie. chassis. One exception is the filaments which are measured across the filament themselves Ie. pins 4 & 5 on the el84 and of course they will be AC as will the power trannys primary and secondary.
Stew

I would love to find myself another original 15... one of my fave amps of all time.

Are you at all interested in selling? Just curious

AJC

I wasn't thinking of selling it, but I guess you never know, the GAS just keeps building.....

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The TC15 is the same amp, plus the extra EF86 channel. If you really want to go ultra-authentic Lightning, just change out the transformers (or at least the OT) for West Labs ones, and add in the optional choke.

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