Finally cooler in New York City

Today it’s overcast and much cooler in NYC.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Finally cooler in New York City

Using a 1B3GT vacuum diode as a HV capacitor

If you connect the filament pins (2 & 7) together a 1B3GT, or similar vacuum diode makes an excellent HV capacitor capable or at least 15KV. Filament power is not applied. You can then use it as the upper cap in a high voltage capacitive AC voltage divider. The plate to heater capacitance is typically 3-4 pf. With a 100 pf capacitor in series you will have an approximately 34:1 divider. Note that the lower (larger) capacitor does NOT have to have an especially high voltage rating; a 100 pf 500 volt cap will work fine. If you use a 1000 pf lower cap for a 340:1 divider a 50 volt cap has sufficient ratings. The usual warnings apply; Don’t touch high voltage devices or associated circuitry when under test.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Using a 1B3GT vacuum diode as a HV capacitor

Hewlett Packard 320A passive distortion analyzer

An interesting box rarely seen today. Internally, it’s just an attenuator and a tunable bridged T network. Operation is simple: Select 400 Hz or 1 KC. Apply signal to the input terminals at corresponding frequency. View residual on a ‘scope. Fine tune oscillator/source frequency for minimum deflection. Adjust the balance control for minimum deflection.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Hewlett Packard 320A passive distortion analyzer

Tung Sol 7791A hydrogen high voltage diode

From the sublime (866) to the insane: Tung Sol 7791A hydrogen diode. Current rating: is 8 peak/2 ave. amperes and 25000 peak inverse voltage. Filament eats

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tung Sol 7791A hydrogen high voltage diode

More tubes to test – 3B28 Xenon rectifier

The 3B28 has the same pin out and filament voltage (2.5 volt @ 5 amps) as the 866 but is filled with Xenon gas rather than mercury. Peak inverse anode voltage is 10000 volts at peak plate currents of 1 ampere or less and 5000 volt at peak plate currents of 2 amperes.

The 3B28

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on More tubes to test – 3B28 Xenon rectifier

Testing an RCA 866 rectifier tube

Here’s an ancient RCA 866 (non-A, S envelope) being given a quick test on Triplett 3444A tube tester. At the top of the envelope you can see the characteristic blue glow of mercury vapor. Not a good idea to stare for a long time at the tube as the light emitted

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Testing an RCA 866 rectifier tube

Hot time in Brooklyn

Thermometer says it’s just about 100 degrees

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Hot time in Brooklyn

Home made cylindrical capacitors

This is quick and easy. All you need is:

  • One bigger tin can
  • One smaller tin – small enough to fit inside the big one without touching the side
  • two short pieces of wire
  • a sandpaper
  • a soldering iron

Wash the cans and make sure they are thoroughly dry. Use sandpaper to rough up

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Home made cylindrical capacitors

EIMAC 15R vacuum tube diode

An old vacuum rectifier. Filament: 5 volts @ 4 amperes, Peak inverse plate voltage: 20,000 volts. This version has uranium glass seals around the pins. (Greenish glass ) Uranium glass is also known as “Vaseline glass”. It is made by adding uranium, usually in the form of uranium oxide diuranate to glass. Uranium glass will glow under ultra violet light. There were several types of table wear made with uranium glass in the early to mid 20th century, the most famous being Fiesta Wear.

The EIMAC 15R was used in the WW II era ASB-5 radar display unit.

First person to visit today

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on EIMAC 15R vacuum tube diode

Weston 1.5/3.0 KW Wattmeter

Another beauty. Model 432 No. 13661. Weston made several versions of this meter with different full scale and voltage/amperage ratings. On the left are terminals for 75 volts and 150 volts. On the right are terminals for up to 30 amperes RMS. Full scale is either 1.5 KW (75 volts) or 3 KW (150 volts). Size 12.7 cm high, 12.7 wide and 8 cm deep.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Weston 1.5/3.0 KW Wattmeter