Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => AmpTools/Tech Tips => Topic started by: eleventeen on July 26, 2010, 10:47:16 pm

Title: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: eleventeen on July 26, 2010, 10:47:16 pm
This is among my all time favorite pieces of gear: Uses 6 qty 6L6's as pass elements! When I was in electronics class in high school (late 60's) there were 2 racks of surplus broadcast gear with one of these in it, and I lusted after it. 325-500 VDC at 400 mils, would be the cat's meow for a tuber.

This one came with 4x 6L6's & 2x 12AX7, too. That's about $30. Coulda shoulda.

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/lambda.jpg)

Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: jjasilli on July 26, 2010, 11:36:25 pm
Next time!
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: eleventeen on July 27, 2010, 01:12:48 am
It's actually somewhat rare to find a nice lab-grade supply for 350+ volts that isn't a 10-20 ma supply, scarcely enough to run a preamp stage or two; and isn't an 85 lb Kepco which is a good piece but will cost a fortune to ship. (prolly 10.5" - 12.25" rack space) This particular one was an opportunity because 1: The seller seriously underestimated the hit he is going to take on shipping (only charged $31...it wil cost him nearly double that) and the thing had 4 out of 6 qty 6L6's, 3 of them GB or better; the ones I see NEVER have any tubes in them, and 3: it appears to be in quite nice shape.

True, you don't need a regulated supply and some might even say you're better off without it; and maybe you can build one with junk parts;  but this is a compact package, super high quality, with metering. Silly not to buy it.
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: jjasilli on July 27, 2010, 08:52:35 am
The fluke 407's show-up now & then on eBay but cvan be pricey.  Heathkits can be reasonable if yoiu wait them out.  I've got a PS-4:  400VDC but only 150mA max; plus bias voltage & 6.3VAC @ 4 amps. 

For about $80 I also blundered into a gorgeous Warner-Chicago labs tube regulated HV supply:  max 600VDC @ 120 mA.  I plan to use it to power some vintage stereo tube preamps that have no internal PS's.
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: eleventeen on July 27, 2010, 01:46:22 pm
That model looks pretty cool! (Fluke 407) I was unaware of it.

Now I keep seeing these electrophoresis power supplies good for (typically) 500 VDC *and* 250 ma but I cannot believe they are good for BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.  :undecided:
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: DummyLoad on July 27, 2010, 05:31:07 pm
lambda TCR 600 - 1.5A (1RU) and 3A (2RU) versions.



http://cgi.ebay.com/EMI-EMHP-600V-50A-30kW-DC-SCR-Programmable-Power-Supply-/390220565499?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adaf54bfb

no PS sag here!  :angel
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: eleventeen on July 27, 2010, 05:44:36 pm
LOL. This is so you can weld while jammin'!  :laugh:
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: jjasilli on July 27, 2010, 06:35:57 pm
 electrophoresis power supplies good for (typically) 500VDC *and* 250 ma but I cannot believe they are good for BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

That sounds like a good HV PS supply to me at the right price.  You'll still need bias and heater supplies though. 
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: tubesornothing on July 27, 2010, 07:16:35 pm
I got a fluke 507 a while back.  It needed new caps, still haven't done it yet!  I figure it will be good for getting an amp in the ball park, however, once I am close, the proto board takes over.

Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: PRR on July 27, 2010, 07:32:06 pm
> BOTH AT THE SAME TIME

Maybe close. I found 600V 150mA, 150W output, with 117VAC input 3A fuse: 350 Watt input at fuse-blow is about right for 150W DC out.

I wondered if they were non-isolated, but there's a 0.5mA leakage rating.

The constant-power mode is sometimes useful in experimentation.

We may be witnessing a historic event. Electrophoresis may be going out of style. I don't find new electrophoresis gear at the usual bio-houses, and a lot of new gear that probably does similar work better. Meanwhile a lot of older electrophoresis gear is on the market at just above scrap value.

One gotcha: I'm not finding repair manuals. A bio-lab would not fix electrics, probably all factory depot repair, so the service info is not widely available. If it works, fine; if not, you may have a costly boat-anchor.
Title: Re: I wanted this Lambda power supply so bad and failed to step up.
Post by: jjasilli on July 28, 2010, 10:04:32 am
I got a fluke 507 a while back.  It needed new caps, still haven't done it yet!  I figure it will be good for getting an amp in the ball park, however, once I am close, the proto board takes over.

Agreed, a regulated bench supply may be of only marginal use for diy guitar amps. Still, I was having a self-inflicted problem with a power amp.  Using my bench supply to bypass the amp's PS helped isolate that problem.