solid state rectification in 5E3

[k51502]

hi,
can some one tell me how to convert a 5E3 to solid state rectification.i'm assuming i will need 4 1N4007 diodes and that i'll have to make 2 pairs,each pair joined in series.
how would i fit them onto the 5Y3 valve base.cathode to what pin and so forth?
also what increase in the B+ voltage can i expect over the 5Y3?

is there any negative effect to doing this other than an increase in b+ voltage?

cheers

karl

[macdillard]

Take a look at Weber's Copper Caps. They are solid state plug in replacements for tube rectifiers. Will run you about $22. If you want to do your own then generally the diodes need to mount on the board. Go to WWW.ax84.com and look at their 20 watt core power amp for the lay out. You will need to know which PT you are going to use to decide whether you need half wave or full wave rectifier..The SS is a less expensive way of doing the rectification. You will loose the sag you get with a tube rectifier unless you add a sag resistor. I think that the SS rectifier runs about 1.4 times the center tap voltage of the xformer, a NOS 5Y3 GT runs about 1.1 time the ct voltage, a Sovtek 5Y3 GT will run about 1.27 times the ct voltage. Hope this helps.

[MWJB]

If you are using a typical 5E3 type PT you may end up with too much B+ with a solid state rectifier? By the time you rebias to get under 40mA of plate current you may have too much plate voltage for som 6V6s?

I assume that you have already tried a 5V4 rectifier? These add a little punch over 5Y3.

Assuming that your PT allows a SS rectifier (less than 300-0-300VAC at the B+ sec) - The 1N4007 go from pins 4 & 6 (2 diodes, in series from each pin) to pin 8. Stripes towards pin 8.

[k51502]

thanks lads for the advice.i have a mercury magnetics transformer in the amp and it has a centre tap so i'll measure the Vac on the B+ secondry to CT and see what i get.
i've actually been running a 5AR4 in the amp.would there be much less sag using the diodes as compared to one of these or are they pretty close.
i'd just like to use diodes because of the extra reliabilty factor rather than anything else.
i even have hyper fast soft recovery diodes which seems to take away some of the added aggressiveness that the ss rectification sometimes adds.

anyway thanks again,it's a great forum

karl