about 83 mercury rectifier

Tfan69 · 28th October 2010, 04:34 PM

just a fast question about what to expect (visually) from an 83 rectifier
i found this pic googling around, now i'm building an aikido using the 83, but the blue glow is barely visible with lights off, and nothing anywhere near the below pic..
is just me that i'm expecting too much or it is right this way?

analog_sa · 28th October 2010, 04:48 PM

Sadly, life is not as glamourous as art. Or get a better camera/ use a tripod

imfree707 · 28th October 2010, 05:11 PM

Hey Guys, take a look at the magnificent glow of the rectifiers in this monumental 1955 vintage Philips 1000 watt amp playing Bach.

YouTube - Bach Toccta D-Moll on 1000W Audio Tube Amplifier EL6471

SpreadSpectrum · 28th October 2010, 06:40 PM

With a good camera, tubes often come out prettier in dark shots than they actually look in real life.

77seriesIII · 28th October 2010, 06:45 PM

imfree,

that ROCKS!!!

./e

LAJ · 28th October 2010, 06:50 PM

Ahh, mercury vapor rectifiers. I remember them from RCA TV transmitters. How much they glow is dependant on the current flow thru them. If they ever start turning green, its time to change them out or you will be off the air.

Frank Berry · 28th October 2010, 07:01 PM

And I remember Mercury Vapor rectifiers in AM transmitters too. You could watch the modulation in the brightness of the glow.
Just make sure the filaments are hot enough before you apply the high voltage!

Tfan69 · 28th October 2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAJ

Ahh, mercury vapor rectifiers. I remember them from RCA TV transmitters. How much they glow is dependant on the current flow thru them. If they ever start turning green, its time to change them out or you will be off the air.

yeah... didn't tought about current flow, the above video told me why i don't see the nice glow i was expecting, the tube is working at more or less 30mA, not enough to make the vapour glow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Berry

And I remember Mercury Vapor rectifiers in AM transmitters too. You could watch the modulation in the brightness of the glow.
Just make sure the filaments are hot enough before you apply the high voltage!

yes but.. i thought that preheating of the filaments was necessary just before turning on after long and probably side storage

Frank Berry · 28th October 2010, 08:10 PM

If the tube has been stored on it's side (even briefly), let the filament warm up for a minimum of 45 minutes before applying high voltage to the anode.
Otherwise, the arcback can be pretty dramatic and destructive.

imfree707 · 28th October 2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77seriesIII

imfree,

that ROCKS!!!

./e

Thanks for the kind words, 77seriesIII. The video clearly and dramatically showed what would have required me to compose a lengthy text on the subject of current-modulated glow in rectifier tubes. One can't beat the visual effect of Bach's toccata on those rectifiers!

28th October 2010, 05:11 PM	#3
imfree707 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tenn Loop Ranch, Lebanon, Tn.	Rectifier Glow Hey Guys, take a look at the magnificent glow of the rectifiers in this monumental 1955 vintage Philips 1000 watt amp playing Bach. YouTube - Bach Toccta D-Moll on 1000W Audio Tube Amplifier EL6471 __________________ A stiff power supply in a great-sounding amp is always better for you than a stiff drink.

28th October 2010, 07:01 PM	#7
Frank Berry diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Midland, Michigan	And I remember Mercury Vapor rectifiers in AM transmitters too. You could watch the modulation in the brightness of the glow. Just make sure the filaments are hot enough before you apply the high voltage! __________________ Frank

28th October 2010, 08:10 PM	#9
Frank Berry diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Midland, Michigan	If the tube has been stored on it's side (even briefly), let the filament warm up for a minimum of 45 minutes before applying high voltage to the anode. Otherwise, the arcback can be pretty dramatic and destructive. __________________ Frank

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28th October 2010, 04:48 PM	#2
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	Sadly, life is not as glamourous as art. Or get a better camera/ use a tripod

28th October 2010, 06:40 PM	#4
SpreadSpectrum diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007	With a good camera, tubes often come out prettier in dark shots than they actually look in real life.

28th October 2010, 06:45 PM	#5
77seriesIII diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Germany/USA	imfree, that ROCKS!!! ./e

28th October 2010, 06:50 PM	#6
LAJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Atlanta Ga. USA	Ahh, mercury vapor rectifiers. I remember them from RCA TV transmitters. How much they glow is dependant on the current flow thru them. If they ever start turning green, its time to change them out or you will be off the air.

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