Help with a tube substitution

[flythair1]

Hello MEF Community,

I have a Military 1-177-B tube tester that had a bad #83 rectifier tube in it. One tube sub book I have says a 5Z3 will sub for an 83 but the Duncan TDSL does not list the 5Z3 as a sub for the 83 or visa-versa.

Problem is that I don't have an spare 83 on hand but I do have a couple of 5Z3's.

Would anyone know if the substitution is safe?

Thanks,
Scott

[Prairie Dawg]

Originally Posted by flythair1

Hello MEF Community,

I have a Military 1-177-B tube tester that had a bad #83 rectifier tube in it. One tube sub book I have says a 5Z3 will sub for an 83 but the Duncan TDSL does not list the 5Z3 as a sub for the 83 or visa-versa.

Problem is that I don't have an spare 83 on hand but I do have a couple of 5Z3's.

Would anyone know if the substitution is safe?

Thanks,
Scott

The reason that tube testers use mercury rectifiers like the 83 is that the voltage drop is very low. I wouldn't sub another rectifier tube for an 83. You can, however, take a 4 pin tube base and solder in a couple diodes and it'll work quite well in place of an 83. The antique radio boys can show you how.