Rheem California 1909R trem problem

[drewl]

The other diode is just a sk3016 silicon rectifier.
tests good

[drewl]

AHA!
sort of......
After studying some oscillator circuits I realized a standard bulb was killing the voltage, pull it (hey, it was in there, I assumed it was correct)
A neon bulb lights, with plenty of voltage there.


Now, why isn't it oscillating

Thanks for the tips people

[dmeek]

Might it be a tunnel diode?
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sinus...oscillator.htm

[drewl]

I don't think so
it's clearly marked, si 1amp 500v top hat diode
I'm guessing this thing would work with the correct neon bulb.
I just need to find the correct one

Thanks

[Helmholtz]

Make sure the ecaps are good. Relaxation frequency depends on RC time constant(s).

[drewl]

Right, I had already replaced them, but I'm seeing like 60vdc across a cap that was rated at 25!

Got a couple new high voltage caps to try and a bunch of neon bulbs I dug up

Hopefully one will work

[drewl]

Alright!
one of the neon bulbs I have worked
Had to adjust the voltage to get it to oscillate and not just turn on.

It was really slow so I ended up lowering the 22uf down to 3.3 so it runs about one a second at max.

All this for a cheapo amp

Hey, it's fun to tinker.

Thanks