Would TV damper diode tubes make decent rectifier tubes?

Robert Casey

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Sep 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/4/96

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Was wondering if there would be any reason TV deflection damper diode
tubes wouldn't be useful as half wave rectifier tubes.

Mario Leblanc

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Sep 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/4/96

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I believe this is proposed in one of the schematics at the
end of a later edition the RCA Receiving Tube Manual (circa 1974),
where two damper diodes and one 5U4GB are used to build a bridge.
I do not have the Manual on hand right now, but you could look it
up.

Mario Le Blanc

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Kevin Kennedy

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Sep 6, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/6/96

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In article <wa2iseDx...@netcom.com>, wa2...@netcom.com says...

> Was wondering if there would be any reason TV deflection damper diode
> tubes wouldn't be useful as half wave rectifier tubes.

The old Marantz 2 used a pair of 6AU4 as a full wave rectifer, and these
in fact were designed for rectifier and damper tube service in TV sets.
They worked OK, but because the filaments were series connected I had to
be very careful to assure that the two tubes had well matched filaments
(they often didn't) as they seemed to self destruct when the filaments
had dissimilar hot resistances due to unequal voltage division across the
filaments. They also used an awful lot of power...

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Randy E. Randall

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Sep 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/11/96

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The damper diodes have a very good PIV rating ( from 3000 to
5000 V ) but they can be a little shy when it comes to average
current handling and you will need two of them for a full
wave setup. I can't see the advantage unless you have
access to some for free. Why not stick with tried and true
recifier types ( 5U4GB, 5AR4, 5V4 or 5Y3 ) as new ones are
being made now. I do not know of anyone manufacturing damper
types currently. Or just stick a solid state rect. in there
with a 30-45 second time delay to allow the tubes to warm-up
before turning on the B+ ? Did I say solid state? Well solid
state has its place, this might be one....
Good luck
Randy.

Randy E. Randall

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Sep 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/11/96

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p.s. In a half wave only setup they could be useful, but why
use a half wave setup? You will need much larger caps to get
rid of the hum!

Stewart Ferrell

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Sep 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/11/96

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Damper diodes are dirt cheap and excellent recifiers for audio design. I know
several people who use them not only as a rectifier but also as a slow turn on
device after a solid state rectifer. They represent the latest in diode design and
are rated for CCS service.

Michael J. Grant

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Sep 13, 1996, 3:00:00 AM9/13/96

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kenn...@ultranet.com (Kevin Kennedy) wrote:

>In article <wa2iseDx...@netcom.com>, wa2...@netcom.com says...
>> Was wondering if there would be any reason TV deflection damper diode
>> tubes wouldn't be useful as half wave rectifier tubes.

There is a reason why these tubes are not recommended for rectifier
service, or at least without some caveats.

Most damper tubes have a much lower voltage drop than their rectifier
service counterparts. In capacitor input filter service it is easy to
exceed their peak current ratings. In choke input filters, within the
maximum ratings of the particular tube in question, there should be no
problems.

Regards,

Mike Grant