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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
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2nd Nov 2019, 2:23 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,087
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Copper Oxide Rectifier
Does anyone make these devices any more?
I know that there is a 'boutique' source of Selenium Rectifiers, or at least there was one in the U.S. But what of this older rectifying device and alternative to a valve rectifier. |
2nd Nov 2019, 2:41 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 14,007
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
Copper Oxide ones are still made - as replacement parts for specialist low-voltage-high-current operations like industrial electroplating.
But they're really not that efficient - and (like their Selenium brethren) do degrade significantly with age. Given that in the last 60-odd years we've learned a lot more about semiconducting materials and how to use them - giving rise to the likes of the Schottky diode - it's perfectly understandable that copper-oxide/selenium rectifiers have gone the way of the dodo. I am not aware of anyone still producing 'consumer' copper-oxide or selenium rectifiers, as the market-demand would be tiny! |
2nd Nov 2019, 9:09 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,195
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
Hi Neil, what is the rectifier for and what are its ratings. From these details is should be possible to sub a modern device.
From memory there should not be an aging process with copper oxide, but I do believe the clamping force plays a big part in how good they are. Metal Rectifier Engineering ~ Richards has all the details Ed |
3rd Nov 2019, 3:53 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,087
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
The radio we are talking about is the typical post-war 3 valve TRF with a large amount of War Surplus components.
Does 50-70mA sound reasonable? The HT load is going to be mainly the output stage. These kit radios could get very weird valve types used. It'd be great to substitute an old stack for a replacement one which you could trust not to stink the place out. |
3rd Nov 2019, 8:24 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,195
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
Hi Neil, if it stinks it would be selenium, not copper oxide
Ed |
3rd Nov 2019, 11:46 pm | #6 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 4,991
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
Quote:
Craig |
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5th Nov 2019, 10:59 am | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,087
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
I have e-mailed an enquiry to the business Craig mentioned.
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6th Nov 2019, 2:24 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 4,991
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Re: Copper Oxide Rectifier
The guys at GD made two Se rectifiers for the restoration of the Lorenz SZ42 cipher machine I carried out about 12 years ago. They made them to my CAD drawings and even painted them the same colour as the German originals.
They use Aluminium plates instead of the iron plates that were used back in the day, so of course do not corrode, and have a long service life. Good luck - I hope they can help you. Craig |