rectifier tubes

ce24 · April 3rd, 2008, 03:33 PM

I found a few tubes...a 5V4G 5R4GY are these useable in a 5E3? What other rectifier tubes would work? I know some changes might be needed to use other rectifier tubes but just wondering what is useable or worthwhile to try....

Thanks

CE24

woodman · April 3rd, 2008, 06:24 PM

i don't think you can do a straight plug-n-play without a few adjustments in the circuit ... some of the more adept amp guys can probably expound on this.

EMan · April 3rd, 2008, 09:07 PM

You can use any rectifer tube, with certain limitations -

The Plate Voltage on your output tubes doesn't get high enough to overheat the tubes.
The Input Filter Cap is suitable for the rectifier tube.
The rectifer filament current isn't gonna fry your PT.

5Y3GT-
Fil - 2A 350-0-350 125mA 20uF 50 ohms

5V4GA -
Fil - 2A 375-0-375 175mA 10uF 100 ohms

5R4GY-
Fil - 2A 750-0-750 250mA 4uF 125 ohms

austintele · April 4th, 2008, 11:31 AM

I use a NOS 5V4 in my tweed deluxe for years with no problems. Runs at 390 volts on pin 3 of the tubes. The advantage of useing a 5v4 is that there's a bit more headroom and it's indirectly heated so it's easier on the power tubes during start up.

ce24 · April 4th, 2008, 02:13 PM

So Austintele is that with no modification to the input caps running the 5V4? I'd like to try that but am a bit unsure if I should...my 5E3 is a Mission kit...

Thanks
ce24

EMan · April 4th, 2008, 04:55 PM

Here's what I'd do - send a note to Bruce Mission, and ask what he thinks. :-)

austintele · April 4th, 2008, 10:12 PM

No mods with mine. It's a clark beaufort 5e3. I might worry a bit if it was a vintage 5e3 because of their transformers but the newer boutique copies transformers are, in general, more hearty.

ce24 · April 4th, 2008, 10:59 PM

What I found at work was a nos Raytheon coke bottle 5V4 G, from my investigation and Bob at Eurotubes saying that a 5V4 is a lower power than a 5Y3 I went and put it in and fired it up with my hand on the off switch. Well it lit up...no smoke and WOW it sure seems to be more articulate IMHO. Cleaner highly detailed...I'm impressed...Also that high base coke bottle looks really cool too!!! might be sumpin people might want to try for themselves.

Thanks for the responses

Cheers
ce24

April 3rd, 2008, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
ce24 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Idaho Age: 58 Posts: 514	rectifier tubes I found a few tubes...a 5V4G 5R4GY are these useable in a 5E3? What other rectifier tubes would work? I know some changes might be needed to use other rectifier tubes but just wondering what is useable or worthwhile to try.... Thanks CE24 __________________ www.motagator.net/slackwater "you can be happy or you can be miserable..the amount of work is the same"

April 3rd, 2008, 06:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 63 Posts: 6,236	i don't think you can do a straight plug-n-play without a few adjustments in the circuit ... some of the more adept amp guys can probably expound on this. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

April 4th, 2008, 02:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
ce24 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Idaho Age: 58 Posts: 514	So Austintele is that with no modification to the input caps running the 5V4? I'd like to try that but am a bit unsure if I should...my 5E3 is a Mission kit... Thanks ce24 __________________ www.motagator.net/slackwater "you can be happy or you can be miserable..the amount of work is the same"

April 4th, 2008, 10:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
ce24 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Idaho Age: 58 Posts: 514	It works great What I found at work was a nos Raytheon coke bottle 5V4 G, from my investigation and Bob at Eurotubes saying that a 5V4 is a lower power than a 5Y3 I went and put it in and fired it up with my hand on the off switch. Well it lit up...no smoke and WOW it sure seems to be more articulate IMHO. Cleaner highly detailed...I'm impressed...Also that high base coke bottle looks really cool too!!! might be sumpin people might want to try for themselves. Thanks for the responses Cheers ce24 __________________ www.motagator.net/slackwater "you can be happy or you can be miserable..the amount of work is the same"

April 3rd, 2008, 09:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	You can use any rectifer tube, with certain limitations - The Plate Voltage on your output tubes doesn't get high enough to overheat the tubes. The Input Filter Cap is suitable for the rectifier tube. The rectifer filament current isn't gonna fry your PT. 5Y3GT- Fil - 2A 350-0-350 125mA 20uF 50 ohms 5V4GA - Fil - 2A 375-0-375 175mA 10uF 100 ohms 5R4GY- Fil - 2A 750-0-750 250mA 4uF 125 ohms

April 4th, 2008, 11:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
austintele Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin, texas Posts: 1,551	I use a NOS 5V4 in my tweed deluxe for years with no problems. Runs at 390 volts on pin 3 of the tubes. The advantage of useing a 5v4 is that there's a bit more headroom and it's indirectly heated so it's easier on the power tubes during start up.

April 4th, 2008, 04:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	Here's what I'd do - send a note to Bruce Mission, and ask what he thinks. :-)

April 4th, 2008, 10:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
austintele Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin, texas Posts: 1,551	No mods with mine. It's a clark beaufort 5e3. I might worry a bit if it was a vintage 5e3 because of their transformers but the newer boutique copies transformers are, in general, more hearty.