[Collins] 30L-1 811A Tubes, Electrolytics, Diodes, Fan

[whitebear1122 at comcast.net]

Hey Byron et al, long time no chat.   I can share my experience with my 30L-1 tubes.  After buying my 30L-1, one 811 shorted out after maybe 6 months.  I replaced it with some used hamfest purchase .  A few months later another original one crapped out.  That's enough so  I bought two full sets of 811A's from Frank Krize K5SVC I think is his call.  I figured I'd put in one set now and have one set for standby for the future.   They were NOS Cetron's and the price was good.   I put the set in and it's been running just fine for all these years.  Gosh those may have been in for 12 years or more.  I bought mine from him direct but  I don't have his email anymore.  I see he does sell 'Bayside'.  I don't think it has to be complicated with hunting for particular branded old tubes.  



I am aware of the Chinese 811 discussions where those are not recommended for the 30L-1 because tube element sag from the horizonal positioning.   Don't know if my Cetrons are Chinese tubes or not.  All I know is that they've been running for 12 years without any problems.  So you might check out Frank Krize.  



Since we're on the 30L-1, I would also recommend that every owner who is running with original electrolytics take a look at them at a minimum.  On mine, while the amplifier worked, nearly all of the high voltage electrolytics had a ruptured gas vent.  I had looked at the Sprague Vishay Atoms and the cheaper Xicons.  I believe that the Atoms would have been a drop in replacement and probably should have gone with them although they were something like 5x the price at the time.   I chose the Xicons.  They had a smaller body and the leads wouldn't reach the original connect points.  I had to stub them in .  It looks fine, and has been working fine for 12 years.  Just a heads up on the electrolytic thing.  I am fond to say that there is no such thing as a 'good ole electrolytic capacitor, just bad ones and ones going bad'.  hi hi 



Oh yeah, a couple of the tophat diodes went out too and I pressed the "Easy Button" and  bought a K1ROD board.  The thought was to drop it in temporarily while I update the original board.  12  years later the original board is still sitting on the shelf. hi hi  I know there are newer options out there with the HV caps built in.   Point is I had tube problems, electrolytic cap problems, and diode problems.  Replaced all of 'em and the amp has been work fabulously all these years.  



My 30L-1 fan is noisy, too noisy, so I'd like to hear what people are doing for that.  It's well oiled, so I don't know if it's a balance problem or just worn out bearings.  I haven't seen any direct replacements.  



I really like the 30L-1 as it's been a solid performer.  I use it with the KWM-2A station and the S-line.  



73, Scott WA9WFA