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Post subject: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:47 am
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Aspiring Musician
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How many probes do you need ? If you have 4 output tubes do you have too have 4 probes or is two fine? What's a good bias meter to get? Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:04 am
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Two is the best ,single one could do the job but it takes more time.

I use Fluke meter but I m shure any digital even low price meter is ok.

Most important is to know what you are doing.


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:55 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Check out the "Amp-Head" dual bias tester. Great for the money.


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:59 am
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upnorth wrote:
Check out the "Amp-Head" dual bias tester. Great for the money.


+1
I have two of them , one set for 6L6 tube type and on set for 6BQ5 /EL84


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:51 pm
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I use a probe for each output tube. This allows quickly checking the current for each tube with the twist of a dial, and to check whether or not all tubes are matched. You could certainly get by with one probe, switching it to check each tube. Two probes would cover many amps. There are also ways to check the current with only a multimeter. Probes make thing a bit easier, repeatable and accurate. There are also probes that can measure the Plate voltage as well as Cathode current, and it can be safer to measure the Plate voltage with a probe, but I use a volt meter to check Plate voltage.

I use the BiasPro MQ10, and have four 8-pin probes (6V6, 6L6, EL34, etc), and four 9-pin probes (EL84, etc).

http://www.asharpfretworks.com/5543.html

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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:44 pm
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I use Weber's BR2 (octal) Bias Rite. I borrow a buddy's BR4 when working on a four-bottle amp such as a Showman or a Twin Reverb.

https://taweber.powweb.com/biasrite/br_page.htm

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:59 pm
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I have the Weber Bias-Rite BR2 (octal).

Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that I can't recommend it.

I'm not certain of it's accuracy, and I've read some disturbing reports on it. It's advantages are the packaging which contains a display and also allows you to measure both idle current and plate voltage, but as I said, it seems somewhat inaccurate.

Got mine used on CL, but will likely place it back on CL and get one of the items described here. I'm just more comfortable plugging into my Fluke for readings I know will be accurate.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:56 pm
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Agree with what has been stated, here. I too, use a Weber BR-2. For an amp with 4 output tubes, I'd go with 4 probes(I like the versatility of Shimmi's unit!!!). When I had my Twin Reverb, the probe meters weren't really on the market. So I used a Fluke 83 and 87 in the OT shunt method. I do not advise that method !!! Yeah, the bias probe meters are only as accurate as their components allow. And I only measured minor discrepancies in my probe's readings. So I'm not bothered by that, since my biasing isn't on the operating edge of the tubes. Safety and ease-of-use are the big reasons to get one of these meters!!!!! JMHO, Art

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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:29 pm
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There are bias measuring tools that can also measure plate voltage, as well as idle current, Euro-tubes only offers the one with one socket. Which means that you'll need to go from socket to socket to get all four readings.

The nice thing about tools that measure both plate voltage and idle bias current, is you don't need to pull the chassis to read the plate voltages. And you can see how adjusting the idle bias effects the plate voltage.

http://www.eurotubes.com/ET-BiasProbe-01s.jpg


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:49 pm
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Thanks guy's I was looking at a Compu-Bias it shows PLATE VOLTAGE , CATHODE CURRENT and CALCULATED WATTAGE but it only has option for only two probes. Do you guys think two would work fine with a four out tube amp?


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:19 pm
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goodinbed wrote:
Thanks guy's I was looking at a Compu-Bias it shows PLATE VOLTAGE , CATHODE CURRENT and CALCULATED WATTAGE but it only has option for only two probes. Do you guys think two would work fine with a four out tube amp?


In a Push/Pull Amp, you really only need two probes as each pair of tubes operate 'independently'.

You adjust the 1st pair, then the 2nd.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:11 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
There are bias measuring tools that can also measure plate voltage, as well as idle current, Euro-tubes only offers the one with one socket. Which means that you'll need to go from socket to socket to get all four readings.
Whit Amp-Head bias probe you read boths

The nice thing about tools that measure both plate voltage and idle bias current, is you don't need to pull the chassis to read the plate voltages. And you can see how adjusting the idle bias effects the plate voltage.

http://www.eurotubes.com/ET-BiasProbe-01s.jpg


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 8:06 am
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Very simple - use your own MM.


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 8:11 am
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upnorth wrote:
Image


Very simple - use your own MM.



That's my tool


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Post subject: Re: Want to buy a Bias Meter had some questions?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:12 pm
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A picture of mine. The original unit in the bottom right, is used with a separate meter. I upgraded to the unit with a built in display, leaving my meter free for other measurements. Great piece of equipment. They now offer probes that measure both current and voltage, instead of having to use a separate probe for each, and they work with my unit, so I'll probably get some of those too.

Image

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