Anyone know how to use a voltmeter?

[59Vampire]

i have been seeing these things on ebay pretty cheaply. I contacted one guy and asked if it could measure the current draw thru the tubes so I could match some power tubes. When I told him im not a tech and have no idea hopw to do it idid not get a resply.

Can this be done?

[Rosewood]

Depends on the meter, most can however. It has to be able measure DC current in ma's.

[mike80]

You'll also need a Bias-rite or similar device that the tube plugs into, then into the socket.

Turn the meter on, set to DC mA, measure.

[VaughnC]

i have been seeing these things on ebay pretty cheaply. I contacted one guy and asked if it could measure the current draw thru the tubes so I could match some power tubes. When I told him im not a tech and have no idea hopw to do it idid not get a resply.

Can this be done?

If you're not the techie type, I'd highly suggest purchasing a direct reading bias meter instead. Bias meters usually have adapters that insert between an amp's output tubes and their sockets and will read the tubes current directly...which doesn't expose you to the hazardous voltages inside a tube amp. I like the Allesandro bias meter...simple and not much to go wrong.

With just a voltmeter, if your amp doesn't have 1 ohm cathode resistors already installed, you'd need to install them or purchase a socket adapter that has them internally installed. And, while using the transformer shunt method of measuring bias current with just a voltmeter is possible, it exposes you to lethal voltage in that area of the amp.

For a novice, IMO the best thing to do is purchase a direct reading bias meter like the Allesandro.

[WesKuhnley]

what is a voltmeter? ;)

[Jade]

what is a voltmeter? ;)

I've been thinking of pickin up one of them new fangled things myself.

As it is, I just lick my finger, and touch it to whatever I want to test, and I have a calibrated scale of how far it knocks me off the chair that tells me the actuall voltage.:banana


Please don't try this at home! LOL

[steve f]

You can buy a simple bias probe, which is basically a tube socket with a lead that will plug into your voltmeter/multi-meter. You can also buy the Weber Bias Rite which is an all-in-one setup that has the sockets with a meter attached. You can go to ebay and find a bias probe, or Eurotubes sells them, and they also sell the Bias Rite. I have the Bias Rite and it's simple to use.