[Hallicrafters] More on solid state rectifiers

[Jim Brannigan]

Well, you can spend a dollar or so on diodes for the PS or pay an "expert" a
few hundred $'s to make you feel better.
The diodes have been in my 516F-2 for over 20 years, but that was before the
internet....it must be dangerous to do it now...anyone know the 5R4 mod for
a Ten-Tec OMNI-VI?

Jim

> 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