Mercury vapor rectifier tube question

[THD+N]

I have used 866A's in power supplies and have not had any issues. The precautions concerning these tubes must be adhered to, but this is true of any device... a little common sense goes a long way.

I have a Taylor 866A that is beginning to "flake inside", but what do you expect after 60 years? I'll turn it into a desk monument with a piece of wood and urethane.

[Curly Woods]

Originally Posted by HollowState

The only advantage to using mercury vapor rectifiers is a lower voltage drop with higher current capacity, plus a little noise from the gas.

Victor

I like them because they sound better than the standard rectifier tubes that I have used. They need to be warmed up for at least a minute or so before B+ is applied, but this can be done thru a relay or manually. I guess I am a bit of a dare devil. I can not see mine as they are in a cage, but that is not why I like them. I like 866A's tubes because of ther sound :-)

[Colt45]

I don't think quicksilver rects are worth the hassle.

If you need low voltage drop at un-insane voltages, dampers. If higher voltages, xenon rects.

Of course they don't look as badass. But you don't have to worry about ambient temp, warmup time, dropping the tube, etc etc

[SY]

Originally Posted by Colt45

I don't think quicksilver rects are worth the hassle.

But you don't have to worry about ambient temp, warmup time, dropping the tube, etc etc

Or the RF hash and noisy switching. I've always wondered if the inherent noise of mercury rectifiers was one of the attractions- some poor designs can benefit from a little dither, even if unintentional.