Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

[AMPS] tube compatability

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] tube compatability
From: measures@vc.net (Rich Measures)
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 97 06:44:05 -0800
>At 01:22 AM 11/19/97 -0800, you wrote:
>>>is a 3cpx800a7 the same tube as the 3cx800a7 (difference being the "p").
>>>and can 3cpx800a7 be a replacement for the 3cx800a7 in my titan amp?
>>>thanks....Steve
>>>
>>The 'p' usually means rated for pulse duty.  It outta work ok in linear 
>>service.  Are you replacing kaput tubes in your Titan 425?
>>Rich---
>>
>>R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K   
>>
>>
>
>No Rich.  I just got these tubes for a spare set should I ever need them.
>Hopefully, I won't.  Any idea on how long a set of these tubes should last
>under reasonable conditions ? ...
>
With 13.0 v on the heaters, probably about 20k hours, Steve.  However in 
the Titan 425 I worked on, both tubes were on the verge of failure after 
25 operating hours.  
-  The symptom was an arcing problem somewhere in the hv circuitry.  The 
trouble was traced to loose gold melt-balls causing occasional 
anode-to-grid arcs in the tubes.  However, I was able to move the gold 
melt-balls into the bases by tapping on the anode coolers, whilst 
measuring the leakage current with a high-potential tester.  When I 
started out, the leakage current in both tubes was over 50uA.  After 
tapping, the leakage current decreased by a factor of around ten.  The 
final fix was to install lower VHF-Rp parasitic-oscillation suppressors 
and to tape a "DO NOT INVERT" warning label on the top of the cabinet.  
Rich---

R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K   


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/ampfaq.html
Submissions:              amps@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  amps-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-amps@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>