Follow-up to my original post (trying to assess the utility of the Clipperton
V's power transformer) ---
I found an internal photo of a Dentron Clipperton L amplifier in a youtube
video (URL below.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HViv6rBtTvw
While the transformer appears to be the same overall size (at least comparing
picture of transformer vs. cabinet with with my amplifier's transformer vs.
cabinet width), the schematic of the Clipperton L shows a low- and high-voltage
tap on it's power transformer (and the rectifier/doubler board has eight
electrolytics populated; this amplifier's rectifier/filter board appears to be
the same PCB but only six electrolytics populated.) Also, the "L" has filament
and control voltage windings, but lacks the bias and screen supply windings of
the Clipperton V's transformer.
On Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 01:35:11 PM MST, <wb0gaz@yahoo.com> wrote:
I've got a Dentron Clipperton V (2M 500W single 4CX250) amplifier, purchased
used some years back (when shipping was cheaper!).
It looks like it's in clean but not pristine condition.
I've never used it, and my fixed-station circumstances somewhat discourage tube
QRO on VHF.
>From everything I've read (and just looking inside at the "RF Deck" design),
>I'm inclined to agree with commentary that it's not a very effective RF design
>for 2M (lumped output tank elements, open frame T/R relay, etc., as if it was
>designed by someone that hadn't looked at VHF amplifier designs of the same
>era.)
So, I'm interested in whether the amplifier (cabinet, metering, power supply,
cooling path, etc.) could be re-purposed, by cleaning up the power supply
(replace components in the HV rectifier/voltage doubler circuit) and replacing
the "RF Deck" (but with what, not decided.)
About the power transformer - what is done with this in terms of a project is
dependent on the power transformer (assuming it's not dead, which I'd verify)
capability as much as anything else.
In the spirit of "look before leap", I'm eyeballing the power transformer
(which in the manual is just "power transformer" with no other spec.) It has
two primary windings (so 115/230V primary), a HV secondary winding that uses a
voltage doubler to generate the (claimed) 2250V plate voltage, and several
auxiliary windings (filament, 12V control, negative V for grid bias, positive V
for screen voltage.)
The transformer's core dimensions (excluding the windings) are 3-1/2" x 5-1/4"
x 4-1/4".
By comparison, my Dentron GLA-1000B's power transformer (same, excluding the
windings) are 3" x 3-1/4" x 4".
Comparing the cubic inch volume of the two transformer cores yields that the
Clipperton-V is about 1.8 times that of the GLA-1000B's power transformer
(whose only duty other than HV appears to be four sweep tube 6.3V filaments, so
it has a bit more work to do there.)
Given that a GLA-1000B can deliver 500-600 watts (including whatever drive
power passes through, maybe 75-100 watts), would comparing core volume (above)
be a reasonable way to estimate the power transformer power thru capability?
Thanks for any comments, observations, or (if you're in Colorado) a plea to
rescue the amplifier!
73 Dave WB0GAZ wb0gaz@yahoo.com
_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
|