[Hallicrafters] More on solid state rectifiers

[Craig Roberts]

I don't know if the inrush current "problem" is real or perceived. After 
outlining the facts (his Copper Caps provide only a 1 1/2 - 2 second 
"warmup" time for the tube(s) in the string, as opposed to the usual 
eight second "ramp up"), Ted Weber added: "...but then we're dealing 
with Collins gear, so I don't think it should be a problem."  He, 
apparently, was of the opinion that Collins power supply components are 
rugged enough to take the punishment, if any. Since he was answering a 
question from a Collins Collectors Association member, he didn't address 
the relative efficacy of Hallicrafters (or anybody else's) bits.

On the other hand, Bud Whitney -- the acknowledged guru of the Collins 
516F-2 power supply -- is of the opinion (strongly expressed) that the 
516F-2 design is "crap". The venerable and kindly Texan says he's 
converted over four hundred 516F-2s to solid state. The conversion, 
however, involves not only the diode v. tube substitution, but the 
addition of a dropping AND a startup relay. He also recommends 
replacement of at least one of the supply's filter chokes as an upgrade 
to the lightly built ones supplied by Collins.

I did upgrade the chokes on my Collins power supply and changed the 
tubes sockets to Millen ceramic -- but the tubes remain plugged into 
them.  Of course, none of necessarily this has anything to do with 
Hallicrafters gear.  We've got problems of our own -- like 
self-destructing power transformers. ;-).

73,

Craig
W3CRR