[Hallicrafters] Save those transformers

[Kenneth Laine Ketner]

The Vintage tube audio guys are often a great resource for us
psuedo-marine anchorites. Recently I have been experimenting with a
couple of products which seem to work very effectively.

Caig Laboratories makes a fluid called Progold GXL which comes in a
fingernail polish sort of little bottle complete with a brush in the
lid. If one paints this liquid on tube pins, switch contacts, plugs,
variable capacitor wipers, or even circuit board edge connectors, it
restores conductivity. I have tried it on everything from the above, to
blinky flashlights or garden lights, and it never fails to restore full
conductivity. It seems ideal for us old tube rig guys. I have been
tempted to paint it on riveted ground lugs, but can’t seem to break the
habit of severely soldering those things (if the chassis is iron). I had
one particular transceiver that “should” work right, but seemed anemic
somehow on receive. I tried everything. Still weak. Finally I painted it
up with Progold GXL, and boom - a great receiver. Info at:
http://www.caig.com/index2.htm

Then there is the problem of the hot transformer on an otherwise good
ole Hallicrafters. I bumbled onto an interesting product, a solid state
replacement for the basic ole tube rectifiers - 5U4, 5Y3, and such.
These are Copper Cap Rectifiers, developed by Weber Vintage Sound
Technology for use in tube amps (Fender, etc.). These dudes replicate
the slow-start aspect of tube rectifiers, and otherwise work in the same
parameters as a tube, except no filament current. This saves something
on the order of 15 watts which means a cooler transformer which means it
will last longer. I have tried their 5Y3 replacement in my Halli SX-62B
and S-53, both of which had transformers running a bit warm to suit me.
With copper caps in line, both machines run noticeably cooler on the
transformer. This should be the cat’s pajamas for the ever-chancy
Hallicrafters HT-37 transformer. I think I will keep tube rectifiers in
my rigs on the shelf, but when I put them in line, I will stick in the
copper cap replacements. Info at:
http://www.webervst.com/ccap.html

As usual, mileage may vary, no economic interest in either company, and
I’m inperfect.

74 (a heavy boatacnchor 73)

--

Ken Ketner
ARS KA5ELD (Extra Class)
  Personal Webpage: http://www.wyttynys.net
  Office Webpage: http://www.pragmaticism.net
Email:
 home: ketner at arisbeassociates.com
 office: b9oky at ttacs.ttu.edu

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