Re: 5Y3GT vacuum Tube

[joewilly]

I finally got my vacuum tubes. Checked the voltages that measured 5 volts. I then inserted tube and turned on power. The filament was glowing and 1 minute later there was a flash. blown tube. I have a friend who was checking circuits for me prior to placing the rectifier tube, his career was in electronics.
Could it be a bad rectifier tube or something wrong in the circuit?
Joewilly

[Robin]

If the PT voltages check out (including the B+) and your confident in the wiring to the rectifier tube (double check), it’s probably the tube. Is the glass envelope loose at all in the base? Using your current limiter to protect the circuit from a dead short, try a new rectifier tube.

[joewilly]

Robin,

Thanks for the information. I have noticed that people on the TAN site are always willing to help. I did check the the 5Y3 tube and the glass does rotate slighly with the base.
I spent some time today checking the wiring with the schematic and everythig seems to be OK. Unfortunately I ordered only one 5Y3 rectifier tube. I ordered two this time and now I will have to wait for it to be shipped.
Thanks,
Joewilly

[Robin]

If you purchased the tube from one of the larger suppliers like Antique Electronic Supply or Eurotubes, check and see if they will take the defective tube back. I’ve had good luck returning bad tubes. Even brand new tubes can have issues so give it a shot.

[Andy]

What brand was the 5Y3 tube?

[joewilly]

the brand name of the 5Y3 Rectifier tube is JJ Electronics.

[joewilly]

I had e-mailed customer service at Antique Parts Sunday night and I got a reply Monday. They said to return the defective Rectifer tube and Once they received the part that they would credit my M/C. Slight inconvenience, but life still goes on.
This time I ordered a different brand, and ordered two rectifier tubes.

[Andy]

I generally have decent luck with the JJ’s but I have had a couple failures over the years. Good luck with the new ones.

[Robin]

I’ve had better luck with JJ than most others. AES is a good company too. NOS tubes will have lower voltage output and a more bluesy sound, the new manufacture tubes will have a tighter bottom end and be a little louder.

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