AsharpFretworks' BiasPro VI Module (Plate Voltage/Cathode Current Combo Probe) Operating Instruction for BiasPro VI-8C, VI-9C, VI-7591. ‘Advantage of BiasPro VI module probe Allow both the bias current and the plate voltage values to be measured simultaneously with a flip of a toggle switch, The plate voltage is measured at any output tube, It is not necessary to measure at every output tube as the plate voltage value is the same across all of them. When the BiasPro VI module probe is at the “plate voltage” setting, the actual high voltage value (typically in the 400VD¢ - 600VDC) via built-in precision resistor network, is reduced down to mill-volts (attenuation of 1/10,000). For example; a lethal 453V is reduced to 45.3 mV. You're now dealing with a safe DC voltage value in mill-volt range rather than in hundreds of volts. The BiasPro VI-8C, VI-9C, and VI-7591 module probes are designed to be used with the Quadstage BiasPro Q10 and mai. Safety Precaution and Common Sense The amps contain high voltages and can be very dangerous. Use common sense and when the amp is. powered on try not to touch the exposed components such as the transformers. No electronics knowledge is required but if you're not comfortable let a qualified technician do the job. Insert or remove the probe sockets gently as pins may bend. When removing the probe socket pull firmly but gently by the socket base, not the cables. ‘Supported Tube Type WARNING: It is your responsibility to make sure you're using the correct probe for the tube types listed under each BiasPro VI module probes listed below. If you plug an unsupported tube type to any BiasPro VI module probe or using a wrong BiasPro VI module probe (using BiasPro VI-8C for 7591 tube] damage to the tube, amp, and the probe most likely will occur. ‘* BiasPro VI-8C module probe for common 8-pin octal tube type: 12613, 1622, 5881, $871, 5932, 6550, 6CA7, 616, 6V6, 7027, 7184, 7D11, 7408, 7581, E134, E137, KT66, KT77, KT8B, KT9O ‘* BiasPro VI-9C module probe for common 9-pin miniature tube type: 10805, 10P18, 15CW5, 16A5, 30P16, 30P18, 45B5, 6BQS, 6CWS, 6P15, 7189, 7189, 7320, CV10321, CV10709, CVv2975, CVS094, CV8069, EL84, ELB4M, EL845, EL86, E84L, N119, N329, N709, PL82, PL84, UL84 ‘© BiasPro VI-7591 module probe for 8-pin 7591/7355 tube type (Fisher, Scott): 7591, 7591A, 7355, etc. Operation (Obtaining the plate voltage value) 1. Make sure the tube is listed in the “Supported Tube Type” section. Make sure you're using the correct BiasPro VI module probe for the tube type. 1 2008-2014 Ken Koga AsharpFrepvorks.com BiasPro VIModule Page I2. Turn off the amplifier and allow the output power tubes to cool. 3. Pullout an output power tube; insert the BiasPro VI module probe socket into the amp’s output power tube socket 4, Insert the output power tube into the BiasPro VI module probe's socket. 5. Insert the BiasPro VI module probe cable to one of the Quadstage BiasPro Q10 or MQ13's RCA connector. 6. For Quadstage BiasPro Q10 and stand-alone VI module probe owners; connect the banana leads to a voltmeter (red lead goes to “V/Ohm” and black lead goes to "COM"), power on and set the voltmeter to the DC mi /olts range (200mv or 300mv depending on your meter), 7. Position the BiasPro VI module probe's toggle switch to “Plate voltage” setting. 8. Power up the amp normally. It is suggested that the amp be placed on stand-by for at least 30 seconds if it Is equipped with the switch (stand-by s h off after 30 seconds). At this point you should be seeing the voltage displayed on your meter. Leave your amp powered on for about 2 minutes to let the tubes reach their operating temperature. 9. Read the value displayed on your display. A value is displayed in mill-volts. For example; it may display 45.3 mV which corresponds to 453V actual plate voltage (ignore the decimal point). 10. Power off the amplifier and let tubes cool before disconnecting the cable. Bias (Cathode Current) Calculation You'll need to know what the maximum power dissipation of your tube type is. The datasheets are available on the Internet. For example; the tube 6L6’s maximum power dissipation is 30W. The value of the plate voltage you measured is 453V. The absolute maximum bias current that the tube (supposedly) can handle: 30/453 = 0.066 (66.0 ma) © Cool setting (50% of absolute max value): 0.066 * 0.50 = 0.033 (33,0ma) © Average setting (60% of absolute max value): 0.066 * 0.60 = 0.0396 (39.6ma) ‘© Hot setting (70% of absolute max value): 0.066 * 0.70 = 0.0462 (46.2ma) Setting the bias current above the ‘Hot setting’ is discouraged. Please visit asharpfretworks.com for replacement probes and more. (© 2008-2014 Ken Koga AshorpFrenvorks.com BlasPro VIMovhle Page 2AsharpFretworks' QuadStage BiasPro Q10/MQ13 Operating Instruction for QuadStage BiasPro Q10/MQ13 with BiasPro 8C/9C/7591 bias probes The Advantage of BiasPro Thank you for purchasing the BiasPro. BiasPro products are unique because they are versatile / user friendly in order to protect your investment. BiasPro bias probes are detachable / interchangeable. It means that you can test both 8-pin tubes such as 6165 and 9-pin tubes such as EL84s using the same QuadStage BiasPro Q10/MQ13 unit. The BiasPro probe sockets are assembled with high-temperature grade epoxy for long lasting operations, and a ‘ohm 1% 2Watt precision shunt resistor is in place for precise bias current measurements. Cathode Current Monitoring ‘The BiasPro enables a musician to directly monitor the cathode current flowing through output power tubes, allowing the correct adjustment of the tube bias without disassembly of the amplifier. If your amplifier has a fixed bias (factory preset), the monitoring will show if the bias current is correctly set within the amplifier’s ‘output power tube specification. The monitoring will also show if tubes are matched or not. You can also create ‘your own “matched” tube sets by grouping the tubes that draws similar amount of cathode current. Supported Tube Type ‘Warning: It is your responsibility to make sure you're using the correct bias probe for the tube types listed under each BiasPro bias probes listed below. If you plug an unsupported tube type to any BiasPro products or using a wrong BiasPro probe (using BiasPro 8C for 7591 tube) damage to the tube, amp, and the probe most likely will occur. ‘* BiasPro 8C bias probe (Common &-pin octal): 12613, 1622, $881, 5871, 5932, 6550, 6CA7, 6L6, 6V6, 7027, 7184, 7011, 7408, 7581, EL34, EL37, KT66, KT77, KT8B, KT3O ‘+ BiasPro 9C bias probe (9-pin miniature): 10BQ5, 10P18, 1SCWS, 16A5, 30P16, 30P18, 45B5, 6805, 6CW5, 6P15, 7189, 7189A, 7320, CV10321, CV10709, CV2975, CV5094, CV8069, EL84, EL84M, EL8MS, ELB6, EBL, N119, N329, N709, PL82, PL84, ULB4 ‘+ BisaPro 7571 bias probe (8-pin 7591/7355 type and its family - Fisher, Scott): 7591, 7581A, 7355 Background in Measuring Cathode Bias Current ‘The measurement is taken from the cathode (low voltage side) of the tube. When measuring we are actually measuring the voltage rather than the current. The BiasPro probe cables are built with a 1 ohm 1% 2W precision shunt re for at the socket in the path of the cathode current flow. We are ‘measuring the voltage drop across the resistor to know what the cathode current is. This approach is the safest, simplest and best as it does not break the circuit path. By Ohm’s Law the current through the resistor is: V/R (Voltage divided by Resistance). For example, if you read 34 millivolts on your meter, the current would be 34 milli-volts divided by 1 ohm, which equates to 34 mili- ‘amps. So, whatever you read on your meter think of it as if you're reading the value in mili-amps rather than mill-volts. In the photo here, its displayed 33.1 mill-volts but I choose to read it as 33.1 milli-amps (33.1ma). {© 2008-2014 AsharpPremorks com —QuadStage BasPro QUOMQIS Page 1Safety Precaution and Common Sense The amps contain high voltages and can be very dangerous. Use common sense and when the amp is powered- on try not to touch the exposed components such as the transformers. No electronics knowledge is required but if you're not comfortable performing the bias adjustments yourself let a qualified technician do it. Insert or remove the probe sockets gently as pins may bend. When removing the probe socket pull firmly but gently by the socket base, not the cables. Tubes generate excessive heat; try to complete the biasing within 15- 20 minutes The First Step You'll need to know if your amp has the bias level control (pot) and where it is located. For most Fender and Marshall amps itis located at the bottom of the chassis. You'll need a small flat blade screwdriver which will be Used in adjusting the bias level control potentiometer (pot). For *non-metered version QuadStage BiasPro Q10 you'll need a volt-ohm meter (sometimes called multi-meter) ‘that is capable of measuring small DC voltages in the mill-volts (mv) range. Preparation 1. Turn off the amp and allow the output power tubes to cool. 2. Pull output power tubes out of their sockets; insert the BiasPro bias probe sockets into the amp’s output power tube sockets, Insert the output power tubes into the BiasPro bias probe's sockets. Connect the probe cables firmly to the QuadStage BiasPro Q10/MQ13 housing unit’s RCA jacks. For non-metered version s connect the QuadStage BiasPro Q10’s leads (banana plugs) to your voltmeter. The “red” end goes to the positive, and the “black” end goes to the negative (or common) inputs of the meter. 6. For non-metered version QuadStage BiasPro Q10 set your volt voltmeter to DC milli-volts (200mV or 300mV) range (not DC milli-amp range). 7. Make sure all the QuadStage BiasPro's connections are in place with the output power tubes in the BiasPro bias probe's sockets. For non-metered version QuadStage BiasPro Q10 make sure the voltmeter is powered on and its setting is at the DC milli-volts (200mV - 300mV) range. 8. Power up the amp normally. It is suggested that the amp be placed on stand-by for at least 30 seconds if itis equipped with a stand-by switch. At this point you should be seeing the voltage displayed on your meter, and it should be slowly increasing as the tubes warm up, Leave your amp powered on for about 5 minutes to let the tubes reach their operating temperature. Bias Setting Operation The Quadstage BiasPro Q10/Q13's rotary switch dial is marked respectively to the each of the output power tube. Rotate the switch and you should be seeing a similar reading as the other tube. Generally speaking the current through each of the matched tubes should be very similar, and should not be off by more than 2-3 milliamps from each other. if they are off the tubes are not considered matched. ‘Switch to the one that is displayed with the higher current value. Using your screwdriver, adjust the current by slowly turning the bias level potentiometer clockwise or counter- clockwise, observing the value displayed on (© 2008. 2014 AsharpFrenvorks.com QuadStogeBiasPro QIUMQII Page 2your meter. You may want to repeat the adjust ment procedures as the output power tubes may not have reached the operating temperature. Ifyou're after a clean sound, set the current at low to mid-point of the suggested cathode current range. Set it to ‘the higher-end of the range to get the earlier breakup sound, It is generally not recommended to set the current outside the suggested cathode current ranges of your tube types. When you're done with the adjustment, power-off the amp and let the tubes) cool down to the touch. Remove the Quadstage BiasPro’s sockets from the amp, remove the output power tubes, and reinsert them back into the amp's tube sockets. Some Examples of Suggested Cathode Current Range Tn Fenders, usually best results do not exceed 35ma ‘The Russian large base (WXT) tube is usually good at around 37ma _ Fender Deluxe and Princeton amps sound best at around mid-point of ma _ the range Fe 1a-40ma__| Wide ranges of a r 16550. KT88, KTI00_| 35ma-45ma | Some amps will work best at higher than 4Sma_ Calculating Bias Current Aprecise bias current for your tubes can be calculated if you know your amp’s tube plate voltage and the tube’s maximum power dissipation rating. ‘* The tube’s maximum power dissipation rating can be found in the tube’s datasheet which should be available from the internet. ‘* The plate voltage information can be found from the amp's schematic which should be available on the internet. ‘+ For those who want to measure the actual plate voltage rather than relying on the schematic, a companion plate voltage cable can be purchased from www.asharpfretworks.com. Example: To calculate the bias current range for 616 tubes in an amp with the plate voltage of 475VDC. Maximum power dissipation for 616 is 30.0W ‘Absolute maximum cathode current for the 6L6 in this amp is: 30/475 Cool Bias Setting: 50% of 63.2ma = 31.5ma Average Bias Setting: 60% of 63.2ma = 37.9ma Hot Bias Setting: 70% of 63.2ma = 44.2ma 3.2ma Setting the bias higher than the “Hot” bias setting is discouraged. Replacing 9V battery in the QuadStage BiasPro MQ13 The battery in the metered version, QuadStage BiasPro IMQ13 should last several years when the power is switched off after each usage. To replace the battery remove the top four screws and the cover. It is your responsibility to handle with care to avoid damages to the electronics inside. Replacement Probes The 8-pin octal, 9-pin miniature and 7591 replacement bias probes are available for purchase. Please visit www.asharpfretworks.com for details. (© 2008-2014 AsharpPretwcris.com QuadStage BisPro QIOIMOI3 Page 3