RB wrote:
> Charley, It sounds to me likely to be a plate to grid short in one of
> the 3-500Z tubes rears it ugliness only intermittently, sitting idle.
> This is a common mode of failure with old 3-500Z tubes.
I believe he said it was a NEW amplifier...although even "new" tubes can
develop a short.
> It could be accelerated by higher than 5.0 filament voltage
This could be a possibility. I am the second owner of a ca. 1994
Centurion and my filament voltage was above 5.0 volts with "normal" line
voltage. My best guess was the filament windings should have had a turn
or two removed. As I was the second owner and did not want to invest in
a new transformer (with no assurances that the new one would be any
better), I modified the rig by putting a resistor in series. This was
done 8 or 9 years ago and I still have my notes (but not right in front
of me) and it has been working well for all those years.
> I suggest that you obtain and install a new pair of Premium Grade
> matched Taylor Brand 3-500ZG-RFP tubes from RF Parts
again, a new amp. Hopefully his warranty is still in effect!
> I also might suggest that with an amplifier using 3-500Z type
> "Instant On" tubes, you will increase longevity of the tubes, as well
> as save on your electric bill by turning the amplifier off whenever
> you do not anticipate it use during the upcoming 10-15 minutes. Since
> the tubes require virtually no warm up time, turning them off when
> not in use is a preferred mode of operation.
In theory, this seems like a good idea. However, I thought I read that
the most "wear" on an incandescent filament (tube or lamp), occurs from
the surge when first turned on and can significantly -shorten- the life
of the filament. Comments?.
> -----Original Message----- From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Charles Delaune
> Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 11:42 AM To: TenTec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Centurion Amp Woes
>
>
> I'm having an on going problem with my NEW Centurion.
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