solid state rectifier tube replacements

[Peter A Markavage]

I replaced the 5R4's in my Apache with solid state rectifiers. Built a
bridge on some perf board using 1N4007's (I think they cost me 5 cents
each for a bag of them), epoxy'd the perf board into a discarded octal
tube (after breaking the glass and cleaning out the innards); wired the
bridge to the appropriate pins.; then using a wire cutter, cut the
adjacent pins that weren't needed; plugged it in and it's been in there
since around 1978. With this arrangement, you only need to use one 5R4
socket. I also solid-stated the low voltage supply the same way. No
further need for the 5 volt filament winding. Years later I wanted to run
DC fans in the Apache (one in tank area and one over tthe modulator area)
verses the original AC fan so I grabbed the 5 volt filament winding,
built a small voltage tripler circuit on perf board (I forget where I
stuck this) and run the fans from this source.

Pete, wa2cwa

On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:53:57 -0400 "TChesek at Epix.Net" <tchesek at EPIX.NET>
writes:
> I'm presently working on a DX-100 that I recently acquired and the 
> 5V4 has an internal short therefore I'm going to replace it. Also, 
> this radio has two 5U4 rectifiers installed instead of the 5R4 which 
> gives me concern since the filament current requirement for the 5U4 
> is 3 amps vs. 2 amps for the 5R4. I'm considering the Solid State 
> Equivalents sold by Radio Daze which have in-rush current limiting 
> as opposed to going to a straight solid state replacement. Their 
> cost per tube is $22 which is pretty steep and I know that I can 
> stick with vacuum tubes for half that or less if I shop carefully.  
> Also, what about "solid-stating" the 6AL5 as mentioned in some of 
> the "recommended" mods...Do I really gain anything?
> 
> Everyone's thought are welcome on this. Thanks in advance!
> 
> 73,
> Tom K3TVC

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