[Boatanchors] 0Z4 Rectifier

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

The high forward voltage required to fire no doubt explains why they were 
only used in vibrator supplies.  

In a message dated 5/19/2010 9:04:28 PM Central Daylight Time, al at ar88.net 
writes: 
> I had to dig to find any info at all on this subject.  Fred Terman in 
> the 1943 edition of "The Radio Enginee's Handbooks" says, " Such 
> rectifiers are used to a limited extent in connection with vibrator 
> power supplies.  They have the advantageof needing no filament heating 
> power, but require a relatively high voltage drop to start the flow of 
> current, and introduce high-frequency transients."
> 
> Checking the data sheet, one finds they need 300 volts to fire, and 
> there is a requirement to maintain a 30 mA current flow.  I'm guessing 
> they aren't particularly efficient when sine waves are applied, as they 
> wouldn't fire until late in the cycle.
> 
> BTW, a 6X5 or 6X4 rectifier only draws 450 mA for the heaters.
> 
> Al
> 
> On 5/19/2010 12:03 AM, mac wrote:
> >Saved a couple of amps of filament current.  Significant back in the
> >days of 6 volt electrical systems.
> >
> >Dennis D. W7QHO
> >Glendale, CA
> >
> >
> >
> >On May 18, 2010, at 9:41 AM, Jim Haynes wrote:
> >
> >    
> >>I've wondered from time to time why the 0Z4 rectifier was used in,
> >>and used only in, automotive radios with vibrator power supplies.......
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
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MVPA 9480