5AR4/GZ34 Tube Wanted

[Bob & Bettina Groh]

> >Subject: 5AR4/GZ34 Tube WantedTo:  Denny, WB7EGG/6
From:  Bob Groh, WA2CKY

I, personally, do not try to replace vacuum tube rectifiers directly but
simply replace them with silicon power rectifier diodes.  Work much
better, cost much, much less and reduce power supply drain (i.e. no
filament power and less forward conduction loss).  I use 1N4005 or
1N4007 diodes - they are (respectively) 600 V, 1A and 1000 V, 1A.  I
keep a bunch of them in the parts drawers for just such use.  Very
readily available and, as mentioned, cheap (like 4 cents each for the
1N4007).  You can either put them directly across the tube socket pin
under the chassis or, if you want to get exotic, pry out the glass
envelope on the old, deflunct rectifier, wire the diodes inside the base
and then epoxy the glass back on.  Other than the lack of filament glow,
you're back in business.  But just a lot better.  73 and good luck.