[Amps] Drake L-4B fan - too small and too slow?

[John]

Hi Jason
  My L4 used Amperex 3-500Z tubes.  When used at the power level in the drake manual and the Drake tune up procedure, did not show any color except at long key down at I kw input.  The manual said they are not to show color. The L4 was made for a short time before the L4B .  The L4 is much rarer.  The ability to see the tubes causes problems for the mind.  Think of the poor tubes in the AL82.
   
  john
  kb9tc
   
   
   
  Jason Buchanan <jsb at digistar.com> wrote:   
> I just sold my L4 and anything key down at or over 1kw input caused the 
> plates to glow very orange.

same here - 3-400Z idle on SSB mode causes them to get dull orangish. 
Sometimes I wish I had some of the new 3-500Z graphite jobs but the fan just 
isn't up to snuff to keep them alive.


73 Jason N1SU

-- 
Jason Buchanan - Boxboro, MA
Website: http://n1su.com/