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 GLUGSTER |
Weber Copper Cap Rectifers? |
Lead | |
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Posts: 2 (01/12/09 20:28) |
Has anyone ever used these:
http://www.webervst.com/ccap.html Since they are affordable and totally reversible, I thought about dropping one in my '66 Super Reverb. Any thoughts? |
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SG123 |
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Posts: 8052 (01/12/09 20:39) |
I like them. The 5v. rectifier winding in your power transformer is generally supplying 2 to 3 amps to your rectifier tube. The copper cap draws almost no
current and lets your power transformer run a lot cooler, which translates to longer life generally.
My only concern is the fact that they weigh a bit, and in the upside-down Fender mounting I have heard of them coming unplugged in transport. I'd like to hear others' experience with this and if they use spring retainers - or if falling out isn't a problem. The amp I have them in has a bottom mounted chassis and they replace two 5U4GB rectifiers. That's 6 amps. less heating on a 45 year-old original power transformer.
So many
frequencies, so little time...
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EMan |
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Posts: 5234 (01/13/09 09:07) Hell Yes, I'm from Texas |
SG - What is the expected transformer temperature difference comparing the CC to the 5U4?
"I haven't failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."
- Thomas Edison - |
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Old Tele man |
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Posts: 1427 (01/13/09 13:40) Techus Maximus |
...roughly about 10-to-1 ratio, ie: 15W filament power vs. 150W peak audio power (300mA @ 500V); don't know
exactly what the HEAT-buildup difference would be, but I'm guessing about 10% too.
"...Renovatio, non Exauguratio..."
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EMan |
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Posts: 5238 (01/13/09 17:28) Hell Yes, I'm from Texas |
OTM - you're assuming that the transformer's interal 5V load is the same as the rectifier filament load.
MPO is that the indirect heating of the amp due to tube heat conduction/radiation is gonna wash any 'heat' salvation from not having to drive a 5V filament load. Personally, I don't think that CCs are a bad thing if you're interested in experimenting with that 'sag' thing, but as far a normal use goes, I've never had any issues with using a rectifier tube.
"I haven't failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."
- Thomas Edison - |
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Corvair dude |
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Posts: 329 (01/13/09 18:49) |
GLUGSTER wrote: I've used 2 of them. 1) WZ34 (5AR4 equivalent) in a SF Princeton, had no issues, and it's been in there for 3 years. I'm not worried about it falling out that sucker is in there good. As SG said they are heavy though. 2) WR4 (5R4 equivalent) in a 5E3x2 and that one got hot fast and only worked for a few minutes. I took it apart and a part that looked like a ceramic cap. (but I don't think it was a cap) unsoldered itself. I put a real 5R4 in there and had no more issues. I've heard of other people having that problem but that was a couple years ago and I would guess the problem was probably resolved. |
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Old Tele man |
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Posts: 1429 (01/13/09 21:55) Techus Maximus |
5AR4 (GZ34) is a 5VAC filament voltage tube...and it's the
ONLY tube on that winding, so when nothing is attached, there's no heating whatsoever in that winding. And, since it's sharing the same CORE area,
that's a "dead" (no added heat) hunk of metal amongst all the other heat-generating area.
...but, I'm only regurgitating things from USN schools long ago.
"...Renovatio, non Exauguratio..."
Last Edited By: Old Tele man
01/13/09 21:58.
Edited 1 times.
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