Archived Posts » 60,595,333
Tube Question
6/7/2012 5:39:57 PM
UPS just dropped off an amp I bought from an individual and, while everything was packaged well, I noticed that when I unwrapped one of the tubes, there was a red oil/grease on it and the base was somewhat loose. I'm pretty sure that tube is done for, but what is the red oil/grease?
Is the TAYLOR 572B that RF Parts sells the best replacement tube for a FL-2100B?
Is the TAYLOR 572B that RF Parts sells the best replacement tube for a FL-2100B?
6/7/2012 6:19:20 PM
I've never seen grease on a tube base, but that doesn't really mean anything. :)
If the tube is not damaged other than a loose base, it might be worth it to try some high temp adhesive to reattach the base and see if it works. I've seen working tubes where the adhesive just let go. If the base is so loose that a connection broke that's another story.
I got the RF Parts Taylor 811A tubes for my Ameritron and they have been great.
If the tube is not damaged other than a loose base, it might be worth it to try some high temp adhesive to reattach the base and see if it works. I've seen working tubes where the adhesive just let go. If the base is so loose that a connection broke that's another story.
I got the RF Parts Taylor 811A tubes for my Ameritron and they have been great.
6/7/2012 10:12:40 PM
I've never seen grease on a tube either. Wipe off grease thouroughly and try it. Call RF parts for tube recommendation, I hear they like to talk about tubes and will steer you in the right direction.
6/7/2012 10:39:26 PM
Someone put dielectric grease on it?
6/8/2012 12:16:56 AM
The Taylor tubes are RF parts "house" brand. They are Chinese made like everything non NOS from places like Cetron or RCA. If you want to get the. On Chinese NOS tubes you will be taking a gamble and paying out yOur ass.
6/8/2012 12:34:05 AM
Also post a pic of the tube in question.
6/8/2012 12:41:51 AM
I do not know your familiarity with old amps... so if this is not your first rodeo I am sorry. BUT this is good info for anyone not used to starting these old beasts for the first time. Start the amp up on a variac the first time. The capacitors in the powersupply may not be in the best of shape. If you don't have one, you should just go ahead and replace them, the bleeder resisters and diodes from the start. You could be saving yourself a big mess in the amp and in your shorts.
6/8/2012 7:02:01 AM
Loose tube base should be too much of a problem. I've used them loose. Biggest problem is to not flex the wires that come from the tube to the pins too much or they break.
GL de W1EL
GL de W1EL
6/8/2012 8:23:16 AM
Originally Posted By Oldford:
Loose tube base should be too much of a problem. I've used them loose. Biggest problem is to not flex the wires that come from the tube to the pins too much or they break.
GL de W1EL
Loose tube base should be too much of a problem. I've used them loose. Biggest problem is to not flex the wires that come from the tube to the pins too much or they break.
GL de W1EL
That's good to know!
I had never seen one with a loose base like that before & figured it was broke in shipment.
The red stuff still has me baffled though. I'll try to get a pic up this weekend.
6/8/2012 8:01:18 PM
Originally Posted By Speargun_:
That's good to know!
I had never seen one with a loose base like that before & figured it was broke in shipment.
The red stuff still has me baffled though. I'll try to get a pic up this weekend.
Originally Posted By Oldford:
Loose tube base should be too much of a problem. I've used them loose. Biggest problem is to not flex the wires that come from the tube to the pins too much or they break.
GL de W1EL
Loose tube base should be too much of a problem. I've used them loose. Biggest problem is to not flex the wires that come from the tube to the pins too much or they break.
GL de W1EL
That's good to know!
I had never seen one with a loose base like that before & figured it was broke in shipment.
The red stuff still has me baffled though. I'll try to get a pic up this weekend.
I got an email back from the guy I bought the amp from and he said the tube had a loose base when he got the amp and it worked fine.
Could the red stuff be the 'glue' that holds the tube together? I just find it odd that it 'leaked' out during transit and hasn't been cooked dry over the years from the heat produced by the tube. ..or made a spot in in the bottom of the amp case since these tubes mount horizontally.
Tube pics:
6/8/2012 10:39:59 PM
I've never seen any grease or goo of any sort coming from a tube. Those Cetron tubes are GTG and better than the new ones on the market.
6/9/2012 9:13:12 AM
I'd use them. It almost looks like someone spilled something on the tube. Then tried to clean it up but couldn't get it out of the base.
