Ceriatone Forum

Hi!
I just noticed that there are changes to the 18w tmb layout on the ceriatone website.
There is an addition of diodes to the rectifier as well as extra resistors and capacitors around the
standby switch - does anybody know why these changes have been made? I built my 18w tmb 6 months ago so I'm wondering if I should add these changes to mine.

/TAz

As for the diodes and cap, that's a new mod indeed. It's to protect the tube recto better.

I just finished my Creme Brulee and the diodes were included in the kit. I ask Nik if I had to wire them. He said that it is especially important for the GZ34 rect.

So if you are running the 36 watt I would do it. Just pay attention and don't install them back wards like I did. 

Ok - so its rectifier protection. What about the change on the standby switch is that for soft starting the rectifier?
What happened when you installed them diodes backwards? - Just curious.

I'm in the middle of building a TMB based (largely) on the Ceriatone design / schematics. I'd been regularly visiting the site and noticed the modifications to the design.

I wrote to Nik and got the following answer:

Question: "I have checked the two layouts and the differences are that the later version has a 47n 630v cap and 100k 3W resistor across it's terminals, and secondly the EZ81 has a 10n 3kV(!) and two 1N4007 diodes across lugs 1 and 7.

Nik's answer: "As for the cap and resistor on stdby, it's just anti pop, and switch
saver (DC protection).
As for the cap and diodes, that's again protection for the tube rectifier when you use the stdby. But not need to do these - tube rectifier that usually fails with usage of
stdby switch is the GZ34, EZ81 is usually fine.
   
Same with the stdby switch mod - its optional."



Hope this helps everyone!

M