> From: Martin Ellis <jmellis@ihug.co.nz>
> Good morning,
> I would appreciate some advice on a pair of new Eimac
> 3-500z tubes which I tested recently and both have failed.
> One has an internal grid-filament short; the other has
> lost vacuum and emitted metal oxide vapor when plugged in.
> The tubes were purchased some years ago as spares; both tubes
> are unused and still in original cartons with warranty sheets.
They are out of warranty Martin. Seals leak and the material
inside tubes outgasses for years after the tube is built, so
having tubes sit on the shelves for years is actually more harmful
than occasion use. That's one reason why there is a time after
manufacture limit, as well as a hours of use limit.
> Since Eimac sold the glass tube division, is there any
> warranty or replacement policy available?
No. The company who purchased the Eimac glass tube manufacturing
seems to be having trouble with the cost to manufacture the tubes.
The last I heard, there will probably be no more 3-500 tubes made
domestically. There are French (Amperex) and Chinese tubes being
produced, and the Ruskies are planning on making some also... but you
are probably out of luck on yours.
Low power tubes are on the way out Martin.
73, Tom W8JI
--
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
|