what pins to use solid rectifier for 5Y3

[elementx]

My princeton tube amp needs a new 5Y3 rectifier tube. I have tons of solid state bridge rectifiers, I'd like to use one in place of the tube.

Anyone know what pins are which for the 5Y3? It should just be 2 pins for AC two for DC, right?

[Eli Duttman]

Get a new 5Y3 pronto. You can't use a bridge rectifier. The topology is full wave CT. Replacing the 5Y3 with a pair of SS diodes could result in the signal tubes being overvoltaged. The forward drop in a 5Y3 is large.

[elementx]

Hmm I guess I never thought of that, a solid state rect. would be a lot more efficient...

What's the deal then with the solid state replacements, they load down the voltage to a comparable level or something?

[kevinkr]

Originally posted by elementx
Hmm I guess I never thought of that, a solid state rect. would be a lot more efficient...

What's the deal then with the solid state replacements, they load down the voltage to a comparable level or something?

Unfortunately, not usually. I've seen plenty of fried electrolytics in amps where these were used because they get over-voltaged until the tubes in the output stage warm up enough to draw sufficient current to drop the voltage.

Another thing is that substituting a solid state rectifier for that 5Y3 is going to change the tone and attack/sustain characteristics of your amplifier in ways you probably won't like much.

[kevinkr]

In the case of the bridge rectifier (adequate PIV assumed) it can be used as a full wave center tapped rectifier simply by ignoring the negative pin. (Leave it unconnected.) You can also do all sorts of other interesting and sometimes useful things with bridges if you look closely enough.

--- However for all the reasons ELI and I mentioned in previous posts I would not use any SS rectifier in this amplifier. ---

[ethermion]

If you really want to go solid state, go to webervst and get a copper-cap. He would be the only one I would trust for your Princeton.

But, a brand spanking new 5Y3 is is $6.50 at findatube, and you would probably be set for the next 50 years. That is what I would do.