[Amps] 3-500z Plate voltage...

[Bill, W6WRT]

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:01:08 -0800, MIKE DURKIN <patriot121 at msn.com> wrote:

>
>I have a question about when you can apply plate voltage. Being that they are almost instant on - would it be better for longer life to use a relay for the HV a few seconds for the filaments to start glowing?? Iv been having a problem with one of my tubes arc'en over when first turned on and i was wondering if putting a delay in for the HV with a Vacuum relay and some kind of delay circuit for it.

REPLY:

Plate voltage can be applied at any time, filament or cathode hot or cold or in
between. What you should NOT do is draw any plate current until the filament or
cathode is fully warmed up. 

73, Bill W6WRT