Fortunately for my wallet I am loath to waste money on old-fangled NOS when I can waste money on new-fangled stuff (and coffee). No room here anyway. 
My goal was to design a working valve/tube project with
schematic SPICE simulation and netlist and fully populated
printed circuit board with 3D models.
Since there are both top and bottom layer copper tracks
and transformers/inductor are top mounted the base of these
must be insulated to prevent contact between casing and top tracks.
Eventually, I would like to convert the board to a ‘tag strip’
or ‘turret’ format to handle the high voltage/current. One layer.
The transformers and inductor are Edcor:
POWER:
XPWR172
120VAC Primary
Secondary 1
600VCT @ 200mA
Secondary 2
6.3V @ 6A
Secondary 3
5V @ 3A
INDUCTOR:
CXC100-5H-200mA
OUTPUT:
GXSE15-8-5K
15W
5K > 8 Ohm
I’m curious whether you’d need a thicker PCB board to handle the weight of the transformers. I remember you could seriously hurt somebody if you threw a tube amp power or output transformer at them.
As valves are microphonic, I am not sure you even want them mounted on the PCB
We used to make money hand over fist repairing the first
pcb mounted valve amp boards. No possible way the old
phenolic could stand the volts/amps/heat and the tracks
curled up like burnt noodles.
Not only microphonics but double layer tracks of power and
signal near each other are hum prone.
At least I was able to get this to work in theory with KiCad.
Now it’s a matter of how to isolate the tubes and xformers/ind.
If I ‘turret or tag strip’ style the pc board with isolated
edge cut areas for the valves xfrms/ind that can be aluminum
chassis mounted it will at least be some progress.
(Updated: 08/25/24)
Inventor FX KiCad Valve/Tube Projects
https://www.inventfx.com/_ifxkicad/_ifxkicadvlv.htm
EL34 Valve/Tube Push-Pull Out 100 Watt Audio Amp Project
Download Link:
https://www.inventfx.com/_ifxkicad/VLVAMP4XEL34PP.zip
REQUIRED EXTRAS:
Inventor FX KiCad Project Extras
Custom Designed for the Projects:
3D STP & WRL Models
Footprint Libraries
Symbols Library
Download Link:
https://www.inventfx.com/_ifxkicad/IFXKICADXTRA.zip
2 Likes
Damn, those are very tidy schematics. 
Newbies with their scattergun schematics containing new-fangled MCUs and sensors could learn a thing or two from these.
2 Likes
The EL34 Valve/Tube 100 Watt Amp now has a fully populated PCB with custom 3D Models.
HELP AND INSTRUCTIONS
INVENTFX KICAD PROJECTS [VER#.0]
Inventor eFX KiCad Projects Contain
Schematics & Printed Circuit Board Layouts
Utilizing Custom Designed Symbols, Footprints &
3D STP & WRL Models.
These Same are Required for the Projects to
Display and Function Properly in KiCad.
In Order to Obtain and Install the Required Extra Files
Download and Unzip Foldername: IFXKICADXTRA.zip
Open this instructions help text file:
ifxkicadhlp.txt
==========
ADD 3D MODEL STP & WRL FILES
Copy Foldername: IFX3D
To —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\3dmodels\
==========
==========
ADD PCB MODEL FOOTPRINT LIBRARIES
Open Foldername: IFXFTPRNTS_V#
Copy Foldernames:
CMPNT_3D.pretty
ENCL_3D.pretty
R_1-2W_V8.pretty
R_1-4W_V8.pretty
R_1W_V8.pretty
R_2W_V8.pretty
R_3W_V8.pretty
R_5W_V8.pretty
R_10W_V8.pretty
R_20W_V8.pretty
R_125MW_V8.pretty
RV_1-4W_V8.pretty
RV_125MW_V8.pretty
To —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\footprints\
ADD FOOTPRINT LIBRARIES TO KICAD THRU MAIN GLOBAL INTERFACE
Open the Main ‘Global’ Interface —>
‘Click On’ Footprint Editor
Select Top Menu Far Left Tab ‘File’ —>
In Drop Down Box Select ‘Add Library…’
BROWSE TO —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\footprints
Add Foldernames:
CMPNT_3D.pretty
ENCL_3D.pretty
R_1-2W_V8.pretty
R_1-4W_V8.pretty
R_1W_V8.pretty
R_2W_V8.pretty
R_3W_V8.pretty
R_5W_V8.pretty
R_10W_V8.pretty
R_20W_V8.pretty
R_125MW_V8.pretty
RV_1-4W_V8.pretty
RV_125MW_V8.pretty
Press ‘OK’
TO REMOVE USER FOOTPRINT LIBRARIES FOLDER(S)
NOTE! DO NOT DELETE USER FOOTPRINT LIBRARIES FOLDER(S) FROM
RECOMMENDED
%USERPROFILE%\DOCUMENTS\KICAD[VER#.0]\FOOTPRINTS
PRIOR TO FOLLOWINGS STEPS
Open PCB Editor —>
Preferences (File Menu Tab) —>
Manage Footprint Libraries… —>
‘Click On’ Library to Highlight for Deletion …
‘Click On Trash Can Button’ to Delete
Close/Exit Footprint Libraries Manager
EXIT KiCad.
NOW DELETE USER FOOTPRINT LIBRARIES FOLDER(S) FROM:
%USERPROFILE%\DOCUMENTS\KICAD[VER#.0]\FOOTPRINTS
==========
==========
ADD SCHEMATIC SYMBOLS LIBRARY FILE TO SHARE\KICAD\SYMBOLS
Open Foldername: IFXSYM_V#
Copy Filename:
IFX.kicad_sym
To —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\symbols
ADD SCHEMATIC SYMBOLS LIBRARY FILE TO KICAD THRU MAIN GLOBAL INTERFACE
Open the Main ‘Global’ Interface —>
‘Click On’ Symbol Editor
Select Top Menu Far Left Tab ‘File’ —>
In Drop Down Box Select ‘Add Library…’
BROWSE TO —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\symbols
Add Filename:
IFX.kicad_sym
Press ‘OK’
TO REMOVE USER SYMBOLS LIBRARY FILE
NOTE! DO NOT DELETE USER SYMBOLS LIBRARY FILE FROM
RECOMMENDED
%USERPROFILE%\DOCUMENTS\KICAD[VER#.0]\SYMBOLS
PRIOR TO FOLLOWINGS STEPS
Open Schematic Editor —>
Preferences (File Menu Tab) —>
Manage Symbol Libraries…
‘Click On’ Library to Highlight for Deletion …
‘Click On Trash Can Button’ to Delete
Close/Exit Symbol Libraries Manager
EXIT KiCad.
NOW DELETE USER SYMBOLS LIBRARY FILE FROM:
RECOMMENDED
%USERPROFILE%\DOCUMENTS\KICAD[VER#.0]\SYMBOLS
==========
==========
ADD 3D MODEL TO FOOTPRINT
EXAMPLE:
In PCB Editor ‘Press A Key’ to load/open Footprint Libraries
or Use Add Footprint Icon [Right Menu Bar] …
SELECT FOOTPRINT TO ADD TO PCB EDITOR PAGE
BROWSE TO —>
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\footprints\R_1-4W_[V#]
Add Footprint R)1-4W
(Filename: R_1-4W.kicad_mod)
TO PCB EDITOR PAGE
Click Mouse Pointer on ‘Select Item(s)’ Arrow Icon [Right Menu Bar]
‘Double-Click’ on Footprint (Opens Footprint Properties) —>
Select 3D Models (Upper Right Tab)
CLICK ON “+”
ON RIGHT IN NEW SELECTION CLICK ON FOLDER ICON
RECOMMENDED
%UserProfile%\Documents\KiCad[VER#.0]\3dmodels\R_1-4W_3D\
SELECT MODEL
R_1-4W_[VALUE].stp
or
R_1-4W_[VALUE].wrl
Press ‘OK’
Again Click Mouse Pointer on ‘Select Item(s)’ Arrow Icon [Right Menu Bar]
‘Double-Click’ on Footprint (Opens Footprint Properties) —>
Select General (Upper Left Tab)
On Value Tab
Select Value and Type in ***(Value in Ohms)
[R_1-4W_V8] of Resistor 3D Model
Press ‘OK’
NOTE: ADDITIONAL MODELS CAN BE ADDED LATER WITH THE “+”
==========
==========
(NG)SPICE SIMULATION
Projects that have a Schematic [FILENAME_TST].kicad_sch
also Contain a Spice Simulation [FILENAME_TST].wbk
(NOTE: ONLY Projects without “_TST” in end of Filename are for
Export/Link to PCB Editor as Printed Circuit Board
(CAUTION! Export/Link Files ARE NOT for Simulation)
To Run/View the Spice Simulation
Open Schematic Editor —>
‘Click On’ Inspect (On Top Menu Tab) —>
On Bottom of Drop Down Box
‘Click On’ Simulator …
In Spice Simulator Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ File (On Top Menu Tab) —>
On Drop Down Box ‘Click On’ Open …
BROWSE TO —>
[FILENAME_TST].wbk
Previously Saved Spice Simulation Workbook File will ‘Auto-Run’
Or ‘Click On’ Run/Stop Simulation (Triangle/Arrow at Upper Left)
Close Pop-Out Box to Return to Main Program
==========
==========
SCHEMATIC EDITOR NETLIST EXPORT
Open Schematic Editor —>
Open Main Project: [PROJECTNAME].kicad_sch
To Export Schematic Netlist
‘Click On’ File (On Top Menu Tab) —>
‘Click On’ Export —> Netlist …
In Export Netlist Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Export Netlist
Export As: [PROJECTNAME].net
Close Pop-Out Box to Return to Main Program
PCB EDITOR NETLIST IMPORT
Open PCB Editor —>
‘Click On’ File (On Top Menu Tab) —>
‘Click On’ Import —> Netlist …
In Import Netlist Pop-Out Box
BROWSE TO —>
[PROJECTNAME].net
At Bottom of Netlist Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Load and Test Netlist .—>
Examine/Confirm Results in Import Window …
At Bottom Right of Netlist Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Update PCB
Close Pop-Out Box to Return to Main Program
‘Save or Save As’ New/Updated PCB Editor File
==========
==========
GERBER FILES
PCB EDITOR EXPORT
OPTIONAL ‘UNCHECK BOX’: Subtract soldermask from silkscreen
Open PCB Editor —>
‘Click On’ Fabrication Outputs —> Gerbers (gbr) …
In Plot Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Output Directory: (Folder Icon Top Far Right)
BROWSE TO/SELECT Output Foldername: [PROJECTNAME]_GBR
At Bottom of Plot Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Plot
Next …
At Bottom Right of Plot Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Generate Drill Files …
In Generate Drill Files Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Output Folder: (Folder Icon Top Far Right)
BROWSE TO/SELECT Output Foldername: [PROJECTNAME]_GBR
At Bottom of Generate Drill Files Pop-Out Box
‘Click On’ Generate Drill File
Close All Pop-Out Boxes to Return to Main Program
JLCPCB (‘QUICK TURN PCB 7 LAYERS ONLY’) COMPATIBLE INFO
Projects with Exported Gerber Files
Foldername: [PROJECTNAME]_GBR
with Modified/Edited Filenames:
[PROJECTNAME]_1-EDGE.GKO
[PROJECTNAME]_2-DRILL1.XLN
[PROJECTNAME]_3-SSTOP.GTO
[PROJECTNAME]_4-SMTOP.GTS
[PROJECTNAME]_5-CPRTOP.GTL
[PROJECTNAME]_6-CPRBTM.GBL
[PROJECTNAME]_7-SMBTM.GBS
(Optional)
[PROJECTNAME]-DRILL2.XLN
[PROJECTNAME]_GBR.zip
(7 Files in Zip Format)
foldername: KICAD_GBR
with Original Exported Filenames:
[PROJECTNAME]-B_Cu.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-B_Mask.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-Edge_Cuts.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-F_Cu.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-F_Mask.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-F_Silkscreen.gbr
[PROJECTNAME]-PTH.drl
(Optional)
[PROJECTNAME]-PTH.drl
==========
==========
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD MANUFACTURE
JiaLiChuang (HongKong) Co., Limited
[PROJECTNAME]_GBR.zip
(7 Files in Zip Format for ‘Quick Turn PCB’ Manufacture)
JLCPCB Compatible
‘Click On’ Instant Quote
(Drag/Drop) Add (ZIP) Gerber File
NOTE: Account Registration/Activation Required
to Order Printed Circuit Boards
(and/or Use Gerber File Viewer)
HINT: Least Expensive Shipping
Parcel International Direct 10-16 Days Delay
==========
1 Like
09/03/24
I have updated the IFX3D 3D Models Folder.
(Updated 09/15/24)
Audio Mixer KiCad v8.Project (with x10 Gain Switch)
Download Link
https://www.inventfx.com/_ifxkicad/AUDIOMXR.zip
This reply is intended to refresh this thread and to delay topic closure.
There is no need to do so this quickly. You have three months to make an addition, and even if a topic gets closed you can request to open it again.
Frequent bumps are more likely to get the opposite effect of what you want. The goal of this forum is not for promoting personal projects, it’s main goal is to help people who get into trouble while learning KiCad. If you bump too often, you’re likely to annoy some people and they may respond by locking this thread.
1 Like