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Re: [Amps] 8877 Time Delay Query

To: w2cqm@juno.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] 8877 Time Delay Query
From: R.Measures <r@somis.org>
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 07:18:29 -0700
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
On Jul 28, 2005, at 6:14 AM, w2cqm@juno.com wrote:

> Can anyone help with specific knowledge about the 3 minute time delay 
> and
> the application of HV on the Eimac 3CX1500A7/8877? The 8877 tube data
> sheet only specifies a 3 minute filament warmup.

Ron ------ 3-500Zs have a filament, the 8877 has a heater.

> However it does not
> mention whether HV can be applied when the tube is turned on (no
> excitation of course) and filament voltage applied.  Ameritron (AL1500)
> holds off application of  HV for the full delay period.  Dentron did 
> not
> in their 8877 amp with no apparent problems!

To avoid stripping off flakes of the emissive coating, do not attempt 
to draw any cathode-I until the cathode temp is semi-normal.  According 
to an ex-Eimac employee, this takes about 200-seconds of pre-heat.  He 
also told me that it was a marketing dept decision to reduce the warmup 
to 3-minutes.  Presumably, this was done to enhance sales of 
replacement tubes?

RE:  The Dentron DTR-2000:  It had faster than average warmup because 
the heater potential was 6v instead of 5v.  Unfortunately, this 
condition caused evaporation of barium from the cathode, which 
condensed on the grid -- thereby causing grid-emission.

> I hasten to mention that I'm
> not too confident about the general level of Dentron circuitry and that
> testimonial.   The 3CX800A7, smaller version of the 8877,  date sheet
> specifically admonishes the ham not to apply either  RF excitation or
> high voltage "...for a minimum of three minutes (of filament 
> warmup)...to
> allow for proper conditioning of the cathode surface".

HV is no danger to the emissive surface unless cutoff bias is removed 
during the preheat period.

> At this point, I'm
> not certain if the 8877 is materially different from the smaller, yet
> similar tube. If the application of HV makes no difference with the 
> 8877
> during the warmup period, it saves a lot of  control circuitry and a
> separate filament transformer;  especially when both windings are from
> the same xmfr. Consequently, the delay can be incorporated in the 
> antenna
> relay circuit only. In the 8877 amps I've built, I've always delayed 
> the
> application of HV just to make certain there'd be no damage.   Any
> comments  based on first hand engineering data would be appreciated. 
> Ron
> W2CQM/3
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>

Richard L. Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734.  www.somis.org

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