*my* Tubelab SE build...
 

Ok, the build has started - and the first issue came up with the semiconductors.

I need mylar insulators and a nylon shoulder washer. It would also be helpful to know the size of the hardware that is used to secure the heat sinks...

TIA

You can get mylar kits at Radio Shack, but the little thermal pads from Mouser/Digikey are better (no grease). Typically you would use 4-40 screws and nuts. These come with the Rat-shack kits along with the washer. Note that you only need them for the heat sink on the Schottky rectifier and regulator and even there you can get away with only doing one. The FETs are insulated packages and the CCSs can short to each other since they both see full B+ anyway. This does make the heat sink "live", just like the SSE. If you don't want that, then you would need pads for those too.

Hmm I will have to think more about this since I was going to use a spare Pentium heat sink to attach to the "little" one. If they are both live I have to isolate the big one from the chassis too.

Thanks!

Second issue - cap C6 was out of stock so I sourced it myself. Almost got it right, but I bought a snap in instead of an axial lead.

Ugg, another Digkey order.

I need a motor run cap - any chance I could find something like this at a normal brick&mortar store? I hate paying shipping for one part.

I have an extra motor run capacitor. I could probably get it to you for $10 all said and done shipped out the door. Shoot me an email if you want it. Otherwise I am going to toss it up in the classifieds.

For the other capacitor you bought as a snap in...couldnt you straighten the legs out. Not sure how successful you would be at doing that but it might work.

If you have a "real" electrical supply store, like for contractors and manufacturing, they will likely have it. There is a local surplus store near me that had boxes of used ones, but they were smaller 3-4uF types. I got mine from eBay in the end so that I could find a large, round one. I believe that shipping was free and the total was less than half of what Mouser wants for the same cap.

Nic - The snap in leads are really thick buggers, even if I did straighten them out, they wont fit into the pads - I'd have to drill them out. Which I'm still considering doing. I think I may take you up on that offer - what is the value of the run cap?

Russ - I looked a couple up and called them. When I asked about motor run caps, well lets just say I had to repeat the question a few times... Just did a quick ebay search - not many choices in the > 60uf range.

ebay 80uF motor run cap

Have used these several times.

I got all of mine from "supplystuf". I don't see any 100uF listed right now, but here is an oval 80 and a round 90 440VAC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POCF80-Oval-80-m...262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRCF90-Round-90-...262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30

I am using the latter in my SSE and as you can see it is huge. 440VAC is way overkill, especially for a TSE, but it does the deed. Here is a smaller 70uF 370VAC oval if space is an issue:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POC70-Oval-70-uf...262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30

Just go into his eBay store and search the capacitor section for "80 uf" or whatever. Remember that 370VAC is good up to at least 520VDC though probably 10-20% higher than that. 440VAC is good up to at least 620VDC.

That guy wanted $12.95 for shipping of a $12 part !!!

Russ - thanks for the pointers - but Nic is going to set me up...