[Boatanchors] In need of a 83 tube for my Hickok

manualman at juno.com manualman at juno.com
Tue Jul 25 18:42:25 EDT 2023


I replaced the 83 and 5Y3 rectifiers in at least two of my Hickoks (800A
and  6000A) years ago with silicon diodes. Two 1000 volt/1 Amp diodes in
series for each transformer leg. They been in there for at least 30
years. No problem. Just used the 800A several weeks ago to test some
tubes.

I think I got rid of all my mercury-related rectifiers.

Pete, wa2cwa

On Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:20:53 +0000 JAMES HANLON <knjhanlon at msn.com>
writes:
>> 
> The forward voltage drop across a mercury vapor rectifier is about 
> 11 volts.  The forward voltage drop across a single silicon diode 
> rectifier is about 0.7 volts.  Silicon diode rectifiers rated for 
> higher voltages sometimes have several diodes in series in a single 
> package, so the voltage drop across them may be several times 0.7 
> volts.  In any event, the difference in forward voltage drop across 
> the 83 and a silicon diode is inconsequential.  I would have no 
> hesitation substituting a couple of appropriately rated silicon 
> diodes for an 83 in my own Hickok tube testers, a 533 and a 6000A.  
> My 1965 ARRL Handbook rates an 83 at 500 Max AC volts per plate, 250 
> ma DC Output Current, 1400 volts Max Peak Inverse, 800 ma Peak Plate 
> current.  If you wanted to be quite conservative, put two 1000 volt, 
> 1 amp silicon diodes from the same batch in series for each side of 
> the 83.
> 
> Jim, W8KGI



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