[Boatanchors] slightly OT: PS for tube stuff?

[Richard Post]

Several of the Heathkit regulated power supplies have already been 
mentioned but not the PS-4.  The ones to look for are the PS-4, 
IP-32, and IP-2717 which all use essentially the same circuit with a 
couple of 6L6GC as pass tubes.  I use my PS-4 nearly every time for 
testing circuits, and reforming caps (via a small 120 volt lamp in 
case of a sudden short). The PS-3 and earlier use different circuitry.

In the meantime, since you already have the HP-23A, do you also have 
a variac and DC volt meter?

Since the HP-23A is a solid state rectifier supply, feeding it with 
variac allows choosing about any B+ voltage. Use the meter to monitor 
the voltage and to verify the bleeder action. Power supply caps need 
the bleeders to discharge them.  You can use extra resistors across 
the power supply B+ if you need faster bleeder action.

You will have to use a separate supply for the filaments in this 
scheme since the HP-23A filament voltage will also be affected by the 
variac.

The filament supply can be a simple DC supply.  Lots of those are 
available. Or build an adjustable one with an LM-317K chip.  Been 
there, had fun, and still use mine.

73,

Rich KB8TAD


At 12:39 AM +0000 12/16/05, Eugene Hertz wrote:
>Hello all, the question kinda spans a few topic, but the wealth of 
>knowledge here is too great to pass up.
>
>I am interested in learning more and more about tube gear, tube 
>circuits, tube receivers and transmitters. I am interested in 
>experimenting with building tube circuits and was trying to figure 
>out how to handle power supplies.
>
>I realize that every tube circuit probably requires all different 
>voltages. I surely know transmitting circuits can sometime require 
>KV's. I was hoping I might find a power supply that could maybe 
>suffice for 50% or more of circuits I might build (having no idea 
>what they are at this time).
>
>I came across a heathkit HP-23A power supply (yes, I know there is a 
>heathkit list, but this question is not particular to heathkit) and 
>was wondering if anyone on the list had an opinion of if this could 
>be useful for a modestly wide range of tube projects I might want to 
>take on?
>
Any opinions? Again, I know that the requirements for power is probably