crazy elkin help

[nitro]

i have a 6 tube elkin.decided to put nos tubes in it,and after i did,it was keying about 350 watts with little as 1/4 watt in.usually that would barely key it up.put old tubes back in and its doing the same thing,and i was holding the key for 5 seconds or so,output started dropping,tubes were getting very very red,and transformer was very hot.any ideas whats up.thanks in advance.sounds shot to me hope not.havnt messed with tube amps much.

 

[dxhound]

i have a 6 tube elkin.decided to put nos tubes in it,and after i did,it was keying about 350 watts with little as 1/4 watt in.usually that would barely key it up.put old tubes back in and its doing the same thing,and i was holding the key for 5 seconds or so,output started dropping,tubes were getting very very red,and transformer was very hot.any ideas whats up.thanks in advance.sounds shot to me hope not.havnt messed with tube amps much.

If you turn the Amp on and dont key it, Does it get VERY red? Or is it just when keyed, and it goes away after you unkey?

 

[wavrider]

Not familiar with the amp but sounds like it lost the negative bias voltage.

 

[W5LZ]

That transformer getting hot tells me that the thing is drawing way too much current for some reason. I know it sounds silly, but are you sure you have those tubes plugged in correctly?
And if it's doing the same thing with the original tubes in it, then It sounds like there's a problem with the circuit other than the tubes. You might turn it over and check for blackened/burned parts.
And... since you aren't very familiar with tube type amplifiers, I really think you should be very, very careful taking the covers off of the thing! Be sure the capacitors are drained before touching anything, you know?
- 'Doc

 

[nitro]

it only does it when keyed.talked to local tech and he mentioned something about negative bias voltage.i have put enough money in this thing,looks like im gonna have to take it to him.wish it was something i could fix,never delt with that.

 

[nitro]

amp

That transformer getting hot tells me that the thing is drawing way too much current for some reason. I know it sounds silly, but are you sure you have those tubes plugged in correctly?
And if it's doing the same thing with the original tubes in it, then It sounds like there's a problem with the circuit other than the tubes. You might turn it over and check for blackened/burned parts.
And... since you aren't very familiar with tube type amplifiers, I really think you should be very, very careful taking the covers off of the thing! Be sure the capacitors are drained before touching anything, you know?
- 'Doc

i checked it all over.burnt parts,loose wires.i dont know.and tubes have a notch will only go in one way

 

[nitro]

amp

gonna let the pros have at it

 

[W5LZ]

That's probably your best bet. Not the cheapest route, but then learning to do all that stuff isn't very cheap either.
You won't want to hear this, but it's something you should consider. The older amplifiers (tube type especially) are typically a cheap way of getting more power. The tubes used just aren't as common as they were 'back then'. That means that they aren't as economical as they once were. Depending on what tube is used, they can be more trouble than they are worth now. Somebody evidently feels that way or you wouldn't have it. Wonder if 'they' sold it because of the same thing you are experiencing now, or maybe something even worse? Beats me. When that 'cheap-n-dirty' way of doing it isn't so 'cheap-n- dirty' anymore, then I think it's time to think about changing something. If you are just really 'taken' with a particular tube type device, then use it. When it get's to be more trouble than it's worth, well...
- 'Doc

 

[nitro]

amp solved

well turns out seller sent wong tubes.i needed 12dq6 and they sent 6dq6.was at techs house and we just kinda"noticed"it.we were both suprised.hopefully they will swap them out.we tested tubes and no harm was done..spent a lot of time this week testing everything,duh..oh well.