Nova heads on a multimeter

[skoot]

What's going on here? I tried measuring resistance on my Nova heads and can't get a believable, stable or repeatable reading. I'm using a good quality MM, which I tested with 2 ohm wire wound resistors. It reads the resistors perfectly. I even clamped everything down to keep it stable. Center is positive, sleeve is negative, right? Just like an RCA plug? The heads work, and test positive for continuity.

I've built tube audio amps but this is stumping me.

 

[adeline]

Maybe you have a short?

I'd check the wire leads coming out and make sure 1) they aren't touching each other; and 2) the one that goes OVER the rubber grommet isn't touching the sides of the tube. Pull them nice and tight. Also, inspect your rubber grommet and make sure it's solid.

 

[skoot]

Ah! Putting the leads right to the wires rather than the sleeve did the trick. Thanks!

 

[mostlyclassics]

skoot, it's tricky to measure VVN heads with a multimeter. I just screw the partially assembled VVN without outside plastic cylinder into a Lavatube or Vamo. Much easier!

 

[skoot]

Yeah. I started on a 510 manual/cart kit and just got the nova, huge upgrade but now I'm lacking power. The USB pass through does well but 510 batteries just don't deliver. Taxes depending, I might have a Provari in my future.

Really what I'm trying to do is adjust the nova heads to the lowest resistance that's still practical, so I'll be pulling these heads and reworking them. Nice of them to give 3 of them in a package.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Or, as a stopgap for a Provari, there are always Vamos. Decent machines (although VVNs quietly "rattlesnake" on them) and cheap: you can probably find one for $40 or so.

 

[skoot]

I've done a lot of thinking on the setup I want. I need two go-to, power hitters. One all day heavy hitter and one stealth mod good for 6 hours. My thinking is the Provari, which I can use to fine tune the resistance and wattage I like, then build a DNA20 stealth mod. Then build a fixed voltage/wattage replacement for the Provari, which wouldn't need all the adjustable features, and hock the Provari. I'm as much in love with the DIY of this hobby as the nicotine. Which is why it's working for me!

All I know is I'm done with 510 batteries.