[Boatanchors] 6AU4 SS replacement?

[Jim Brannigan]

I have replaced all my vacuum rectifiers with SS diodes, either wired to the 
socket or plug-in
Disconnect the filament wires and save the load on the transformer.
Any 1000PIV, 1 amp diode will do the trick.

If the voltage is too high (usually on the LV circuits) use a Dale type 
resistor to reduce the voltage.

Jim



> I am thinking about replacing the rectifiers with solid state. You may ask 
> why? Simple answer is there are 3 rectifiers in the transmitter consuming 
> a total of 37W of filament power and heat.  For those concerned, I always 
> run the transmitter through a variac and can adjust it down to lower the 
> B+.  Also, as far as inrush through the power transformer, I think I'm ok 
> because the power transformer does not directly feed filter caps, it first 
> goes through some mighty chokes. So I think the choke will moderate the 
> current filling up those capacitors.
>
> In any case, the real question is, does anyone have any experience with SS 
> replacements for the 6AU4? My google research has only located one which 
> can be found here:  http://tinyurl.com/2crs5e
>
> This is the only one I've located. Anyone ever use this brand? Anyone know 
> of any other product? Seems like embedded in this is a (or more than one?) 
> 1N1262. I wonder if they do anything else like series resistance, good 
> heatsinking or anything fancier. Otherwise, why couldn't I just wire in a 
> 1N1262? (maybe 2 in parallel for more forward current?).
>
> Transmitter also has a 5U4 which I will probably replace with the weber 
> copper cap.