GZ37 substitutes

[needsp]

Hi

I’m looking for an alternative to a GZ37 rectifier tube, which, due to scarcity, has become prohibitively expensive. I use- one per power amp channel- a GZ37 rectified choke input power supply. 500-0- 500 V ac in, 30H choke, 440u cap, ~ 420V out.

The current at idle is about 100mA, but, to allow good dynamic behaviour, and also to accommodate a possible future shunt regulator, etc, I need a minimum continuous current rating of 200 mA minimum (preferably more- the GZ37 is capable of > 300mA with a choke input).

The replacement must be indirectly heated, with a heater requirement of 5 or 6.3 V @ 3A or less.

Unless there’s some ex-Soviet wonder I’ve missed, I’m guess I’m looking for suitable damper diodes. A pair of single rectifiers would be OK, as long as a single heater tap for both is permissible- the typically high heater to cathode voltage ratings of damper diodes would permit this I guess. If I need a pair, a noval configuration might be easier to accommodate, but this isn’t critical.

Any suggestions? Ones that have satisfied users in practice as well as in theory preferred!

Many thanks

Paul N

 

[davorin]

GZ32 ?

 

[andyjevans]

Look at damper diodes like the 6DT4 and that whole family. Octal base, no top cap. You'll get a variety of solutions if you use two octal sockets. The 6DT4 types are straight bottles and thinner than the GZ** ST types, max width 32mm, so the sockets can go closer together.

 

[v4lve lover]

Ey88 fits the Bill pretty nicely lower forward voltage drop then a GZ34!

 

[Osvaldo de Banfield]

'm using 3DG4 (3V heater), but lower internal voltage drop.

 

[migkiller1971]

Hi

I’m looking for an alternative to a GZ37 rectifier tube, which, due to scarcity, has become prohibitively expensive. I use- one per power amp channel- a GZ37 rectified choke input power supply. 500-0- 500 V ac in, 30H choke, 440u cap, ~ 420V out.

The current at idle is about 100mA, but, to allow good dynamic behaviour, and also to accommodate a possible future shunt regulator, etc, I need a minimum continuous current rating of 200 mA minimum (preferably more- the GZ37 is capable of > 300mA with a choke input).

The replacement must be indirectly heated, with a heater requirement of 5 or 6.3 V @ 3A or less.

Unless there’s some ex-Soviet wonder I’ve missed, I’m guess I’m looking for suitable damper diodes. A pair of single rectifiers would be OK, as long as a single heater tap for both is permissible- the typically high heater to cathode voltage ratings of damper diodes would permit this I guess. If I need a pair, a noval configuration might be easier to accommodate, but this isn’t critical.

Any suggestions? Ones that have satisfied users in practice as well as in theory preferred!

Many thanks

Paul N

Here is a list I've been using since forever.

Cheers,
Carlos

http://www.fourwater.com/files/fullrect.txt

 

[TheGimp]

That is a very nice list.

One additional piece of information that would be helpful would be the height of the tube excluding the pins.

In particular, the GZ34/5AR4 (2-53/64", Amperex) is often used in an enclosed chassis where the overall height is critical most 5U4s (4-3/16", RCA)would not fit in my Monarch Receiver.

http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/frank/sheets/049/5/5U4GB.pdf


Same for many 5Y3s (4-1/16", 5Y3-G,RCA) However the 5Y3-GT by RCA looks like it might fit as seated height is shown as 2-13/15".

http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/frank/sheets/049/5/5Y3G.pdf