First World Problems, or "Now, where did I put that 5V4GA?

mhardy6647

So after changing the cathode bypass caps (temporarily using cheapo "cannon fodder electrolytics in case there are other issues!) on my poor Angela/JE Labs simple 2A3 amp variant, I wanted to smoke test the result. I felt like it might not be the best idea to use the rather nice 5V4G HV rectifier that I've been using in the amp given its metastable condition. So, somewhere, I've got a 5V4GA that I used to use in it.

The key word there is somewhere.

I musta spent two hours yesterday, in multiple sessions, looking for the danged thing. I get sort of obsessive about such matters. Now, you'd have thought I'd have put it somewhere obvious or at least logical, right? Well -- whatever logic or obviousness I applied at the time (probably a year ago, give or take) sure ain't obvious now.

So I gritted my teeth and used the 5V4G -- and a Variac and a Kill-a-Watt (to monitor power draw), and the amp fired up fine. I haven't - yet - had the chutzpah to run it for more than about 10 minutes at a time, but right now it looks like (?) the blown bypass cap was (as they say in the medical profession) idiopathic.

... and I still don't know where that danged 5V4GA is.

I think I am gonna get one or two spares Just seems prudent. They're not even terribly expensive. I kinda like the shape of the GA, it's this weird kinda squat, chubby bottle. I think I identify with the GA -- it was probably always the last rectifier picked for the team, you know?


DSC_0586 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr


The 5V4G has an ST-shaped envelope.

txcoastal1

Buy 1
Murphy's law the other will pop up shortly after you receive the new one

tonyb

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Buy 1
Murphy's law the other will pop up shortly after you receive the new one

Buy one ??

Now that's funny, Doc and Brock are penny pinchers. Sounds like a candy bar, Doc and Brock.....or a whiskey label. lol

The 5v4ga will show up Doc...when your looking for something else. Always happens that way.

heiney9

I still have 1 or 2 in my stash. Early RCA or Sylvania. Don't have anything that currently uses them.............but if you need one I'd let it go cheap.

H9

mhardy6647

Thanks for the offer -- I don't need one... but I may PM you nonetheless!

halo

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Mark, it looks like you could use some right angle RCA adapters.

I have some extras I could send your way. @SCompRacer clued me in to them and I use them with my Bottlehead Reduction + Induction:

mhardy6647

I've got different cables on there now That photo dates back a-ways; I got a fair amount of peer pressure here to de-monsterize Those cables were, of course, dump finds!

Thanks for the mention/offer, though!