Need new # 83 Mercury rectifiers

anatech · 17th November 2019, 04:33 AM

Hi,
Does anyone have any new # 83 rectifiers (not 83V). I need them for a pair of tube testers. Shipping to the Toronto, Ontario area.

As long as the prices are reasonable, I'm good. Used ones might not be worth the shipping cost. Depends on the shipping.

-Chris

Diabolical Artificer · 17th November 2019, 04:32 PM

Two here on ebay for $20 - <>83-V-Two hard to find #83-V Rectifier Tubes- Sylvania/RCA NIB –TV-7 Tested<> | eBay as are SS replacements - Regulated Solid State 83 Replacement Rectifier ~ TV-7 Hickok B&K Tube Testers | eBay.

Andy.

analog_sa · 17th November 2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diabolical Artificer

Two here on ebay for $20

These are the V - clearly unsuitable. The SS imitations otoh are great as it's a sin to waste prime mercury on a tube tester

anatech · 17th November 2019, 07:07 PM

Hi analog_sa,
You are correct. Thanks for looking for them Andy.

Quote:

The SS imitations otoh are great as it's a sin to waste prime mercury on a tube tester

But, they are true transconductance type tube testers, not emission testers. Stark 9-66 types.

What would you consider a worthy use for a #83 rectifier?

-Chris

audiowize · 17th November 2019, 07:36 PM

Chris, I will check my stash this afternoon. I bought a couple of #83s for a TV-10, but found that the SS replacement with simulated voltage drop worked out OK. I remember having a pair of super clean NOS 83s sitting around somewhere.

anatech · 17th November 2019, 08:12 PM

Hi audiowize,
That would be fantastic! Thank you for looking!

-Chris

Diabolical Artificer · 18th November 2019, 06:37 AM

"These are the V - clearly unsuitable." Why? they looked ok to me.

"Thanks for looking for them Andy" No worries, I looked in my stash but don't have type 83's only some of the bigger MVR's.

Andy.

anatech · 18th November 2019, 07:09 AM

Hi Andy,
The 83V doesn't have any Mercury inside them. It is a high vacuum rectifier much like a 5U4 with its higher and more variable voltage drop.

The 83 is a gas rectifier that uses Mercury in this case. What the effect of the Mercury is, is to have a lower voltage drop of approximately 15 V. This doesn't vary very much with current. So for something like a tube tester, when you test larger tubes, like a 6L6, or a KT88, the higher current draw doesn't drop the voltage much from it's normal resting state voltage. For other equipment, the 83 can handle higher currents because the voltage drop is lower and so the tube doesn't get as hot. Normal rectifier tubes can drop 60 V and that creates a lot of heat very quickly.

Because the 83 isn't like other rectifiers, and therefore has some care and feeding issues a user needs to know about. It doesn't like to be disturbed for one. It also needs an extended warm-up time. You can kill them if you don't use them properly.

-Chris

Diabolical Artificer · 18th November 2019, 07:26 AM

Thanks Chris, doh! Helps if you read the page properly, didn't see the "V"

Andy.

glen65 · 23rd November 2019, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anatech

Hi,
Does anyone have any new # 83 rectifiers (not 83V). I need them for a pair of tube testers. Shipping to the Toronto, Ontario area.

As long as the prices are reasonable, I'm good. Used ones might not be worth the shipping cost. Depends on the shipping.

-Chris

Don't know if the price is outside of your limit. But this is supposed to be a NOS 83.
NOS SYLVANIA # 83 Rectifier VACUUM TUBE B&K 747 Hickok Tube TESTERS #C.6673 | eBay

17th November 2019, 04:33 AM	#1
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Need new # 83 Mercury rectifiers Hi, Does anyone have any new # 83 rectifiers (not 83V). I need them for a pair of tube testers. Shipping to the Toronto, Ontario area. As long as the prices are reasonable, I'm good. Used ones might not be worth the shipping cost. Depends on the shipping. -Chris __________________ "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" © my Wife

17th November 2019, 08:12 PM	#6
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi audiowize, That would be fantastic! Thank you for looking! -Chris __________________ "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" © my Wife

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17th November 2019, 04:32 PM	#2
Diabolical Artificer diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: UK	Two here on ebay for $20 - <>83-V-Two hard to find #83-V Rectifier Tubes- Sylvania/RCA NIB –TV-7 Tested<> \| eBay as are SS replacements - Regulated Solid State 83 Replacement Rectifier ~ TV-7 Hickok B&K Tube Testers \| eBay. Andy.

17th November 2019, 07:36 PM	#5
audiowize diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle	Chris, I will check my stash this afternoon. I bought a couple of #83s for a TV-10, but found that the SS replacement with simulated voltage drop worked out OK. I remember having a pair of super clean NOS 83s sitting around somewhere.

18th November 2019, 06:37 AM	#7
Diabolical Artificer diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: UK	"These are the V - clearly unsuitable." Why? they looked ok to me. "Thanks for looking for them Andy" No worries, I looked in my stash but don't have type 83's only some of the bigger MVR's. Andy.

18th November 2019, 07:09 AM	#8
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Andy, The 83V doesn't have any Mercury inside them. It is a high vacuum rectifier much like a 5U4 with its higher and more variable voltage drop. The 83 is a gas rectifier that uses Mercury in this case. What the effect of the Mercury is, is to have a lower voltage drop of approximately 15 V. This doesn't vary very much with current. So for something like a tube tester, when you test larger tubes, like a 6L6, or a KT88, the higher current draw doesn't drop the voltage much from it's normal resting state voltage. For other equipment, the 83 can handle higher currents because the voltage drop is lower and so the tube doesn't get as hot. Normal rectifier tubes can drop 60 V and that creates a lot of heat very quickly. Because the 83 isn't like other rectifiers, and therefore has some care and feeding issues a user needs to know about. It doesn't like to be disturbed for one. It also needs an extended warm-up time. You can kill them if you don't use them properly. -Chris __________________ "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" © my Wife

18th November 2019, 07:26 AM	#9
Diabolical Artificer diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: UK	Thanks Chris, doh! Helps if you read the page properly, didn't see the "V" Andy.