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Re: [Amps] Drake L-4B PSU burned resistor

To: Alan Ibbetson <alan@g3xaq.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Drake L-4B PSU burned resistor
From: Jason Buchanan <jsb@digistar.com>
Date: Sun, 06 Nov 2005 09:56:36 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Alan Ibbetson wrote:

>I recently got a Drake L-4B amplifier. I've been using (abusing) it a 
>couple of weeks on CW on the high voltage SSB position. Pretty much 
>everybody seems to do this. After all, it's only running 2500 volts on 
>the anodes and they just glow a dull red when I'm keying.
>
>Yesterday, in the middle of a QSO, the short circuit protection resistor 
>(R12) in the power supply gave an impressive firework display and 
>expired.
>
>  
>

That happened to me last year - caused by a bad tube.  I sent the tubes 
to Rich Measures for his hipot service ;-)  One of the tubes had a 
filament-grid BD potential of around 2000V (it should be 6000V or 
higher).  I replaced the tube and no more problems.


>Second question: the manual is very explicit that only an IRC type BWH 
>resistor should be fitted. Can someone help with a translation of what 
>this specification means, so I can buy an equivalent here in the UK?
>  
>

Hunt for the type Mr. Measures mentioned earlier: "10W surge protection 
type of approximately 10 to 15 ohms"-  you are looking for the 
equivalent of a high voltage fuse.  BWH was probably the best option 
available at the time (I can't say, my L4 was built before I was born).  
I'm not sure where you can find the type of resistor he recommended - 
but if you find a source, let me know because I would like to buy a few.


73 Jason N1SU
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