Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Mark, You are right. Tom would never violate safety for sales. He would just turn you down. I completely understand your wanting to "keep it original", I would just caution folks to do this for themselves and enjoy the rigs whichever way chosen. If we are doing this for an investment in funds, I think we are fooling ourselves. The nice range of old, nice Model T's and A's that had fortunes spent on them, and are rusting away in barns now because of a lack of interest in them might be a lesson. I think the interest in tube gear may well be resting with those of us now interested, is all I was saying. Keeping original or making a good working user should be up to the individual, and either way accepted by the rest. I will admit to having both, hi. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Hi Bob. > Those paper sleeves are more than ornamental. Very well understood :-) From looking at the cap kits posted on the Hayseed site, it looks as though Tom understands this as well. (As I would expect.) As I understand it, Tom is waiting on some of the caps for the AC kits I ordered, but he told me he expected me to have them by mid-December. 73 - Mark N1VQW ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Those paper sleeves are more than ornamental. Usually the metal can is grounded, but in the AC-3/4 some of them have high voltages (they are connected in series). If you look carefully the can is insulated from the chassis. If you touch a metal can you can get a shock. I hope Hayseed Hamfest keeps this in mind (I have his cans installed in my R-4C). The cans are exposed in the AC-3 so the paper sleeves are necessary. 73, Bob WW3QB Tom's kits are first rate,AND he is an honest gentleman. I asked about a kit for my AC4, after seeing Jeff's article in Electric Radio magazine, and he told me how much more than the Heathkit shop offering it would have to be. I have had such good luck with Mike's kits for the AC4 that I haven't changed over, but I may do "just one" in the future to see if I can tell any difference. I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. You'll probably need to save the paper sleeves off a couple if you want to be "truly original" looking. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Restoration has its cost. Ask anyone who has ever restored a car. I sold my Model A Ford before moving because I couldn't justify the expense of trying to keep it in a rented garage and then having to spend 8 grand to redo the interior. The numbers just didn't add up anymore for me. Having said that, I've seen guys spend tens of thousands on restoring garden variety cars because they were their parents'. Value is in the eye of the beholder. I'm continuing to recap the bias supply caps for PM and will leave the others unless and until I get a report of bad signal or hum. I do re-cap receivers on a routine basis. The parts cost is so low that it's a no-brainer. Mike's service is excellent. Enjoy Those Drakes. Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. -Ayn Rand. All my computers have my signature with various pearls of wisdom appended thereto. -- From: "Curt" Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 1:53 PM To: Subject: Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits Now, just think...we will have AC4's that will cost more than the transmitters they are powering. But they will LOOK original. ;) Curt KU8L On 12/2/2011 1:34 PM, Don Cunningham wrote: Tom's kits are first rate,AND he is an honest gentleman. I asked about a kit for my AC4, after seeing Jeff's article in Electric Radio magazine, and he told me how much more than the Heathkit shop offering it would have to be. I have had such good luck with Mike's kits for the AC4 that I haven't changed over, but I may do "just one" in the future to see if I can tell any difference. I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. You'll probably need to save the paper sleeves off a couple if you want to be "truly original" looking. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Mark - Correct. Not a whole lot of those made. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs Mark Nace wrote: I think the really early AC-3 had a choke input filter. I tnink I have a schematic for it from a low serial number TR3 manual. If someone has already commented on this, my apologies. 73 Mark N5KAE *From: * Mark Pilant ; *To: * drakelist ; *Subject: * Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits *Sent: * Fri, Dec 2, 2011 9:13:28 PM Hi Don. > I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. Yep. There probably won't be any difference performance wise. But all the extra holes just offended me :-) So I opted to go with Tom's kits. I was thinking about the sleeves as well, but it will depend on the physical characteristics of the new caps. Plus, with all the money I've spent on this and other hobbies, the price difference is really in the "noise" range. 73 - Mark N1VQW ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
I think the really early AC-3 had a choke input filter. I tnink I have a schematic for it from a low serial number TR3 manual. If someone has already commented on this, my apologies. 73 Mark N5KAE___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Hi Don. > I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. Yep. There probably won't be any difference performance wise. But all the extra holes just offended me :-) So I opted to go with Tom's kits. I was thinking about the sleeves as well, but it will depend on the physical characteristics of the new caps. Plus, with all the money I've spent on this and other hobbies, the price difference is really in the "noise" range. 73 - Mark N1VQW ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Now, just think...we will have AC4's that will cost more than the transmitters they are powering. But they will LOOK original. ;) Curt KU8L On 12/2/2011 1:34 PM, Don Cunningham wrote: Tom's kits are first rate,AND he is an honest gentleman. I asked about a kit for my AC4, after seeing Jeff's article in Electric Radio magazine, and he told me how much more than the Heathkit shop offering it would have to be. I have had such good luck with Mike's kits for the AC4 that I haven't changed over, but I may do "just one" in the future to see if I can tell any difference. I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. You'll probably need to save the paper sleeves off a couple if you want to be "truly original" looking. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
Tom's kits are first rate,AND he is an honest gentleman. I asked about a kit for my AC4, after seeing Jeff's article in Electric Radio magazine, and he told me how much more than the Heathkit shop offering it would have to be. I have had such good luck with Mike's kits for the AC4 that I haven't changed over, but I may do "just one" in the future to see if I can tell any difference. I sincerely doubt it, other than the looks. You'll probably need to save the paper sleeves off a couple if you want to be "truly original" looking. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake AC-3/AC-4 power supply rebuild kits
I just finished exchanging emails with Tom over at Hayseed, and it turns out he is going to be adding AC-3 & AC-4 capacitor rebuild kits to their product set. I just ordered two (since I have an AC-3 and an AC-4) as well as a TR-3 kit. With the other TR-3 I picked up, I should have some nice winter projects ahead. Note, these kits are more expensive than the Heathkit Shop board, but if you are interested in keeping as original as possible the Hayseed kits are a good way to go. Also, because of the holidays, lead-time is stretching out. Tom said the kits should be up on their web site this weekend. Here is the information about the kits... 73 - Mark N1VQW P.S., no financial interest, just trying to support those who support our hobby. -- We recently began offering the AC-3 and AC-4 can-caps kits. At the present time they are available as complete kits (with either 4 or 5 can-caps) on an order-out basis. Presently, we are taking orders for mid-December}. There's actually two different ways to go on this. The original kit for the AC-3/AC-4 supply consists of the following cans: 1 - 100 uF @ 160V 1 - 2 x 100 uF @ 450V 1 - 2 x 33 uF @ 160V 2 - 150 uF @ 450V All sections are rated at 105C degrees. The second type of kit is similar to the original, but combines the two (2) 125 uF can-caps in a single can. This configuration allows a significant cost savings. The can is essentially a two-section 125/125 uF @ 450V can, except that each section is isolated from the other and has separate positive and negative terminals. The 5 can-cap kit costs $133.00 + S&H. This is a savings of about $30.00 over purchasing the cans separately. The 4-can-cap kit, utilizing the combined 125/125 uF@ 450V can-cap sells for $113.00 + S&H. ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
