AL-80B D117 Question

[VE3YF]

Hi:

I have just finished looking at an Updated Power Supply Board Schematic that is on Tom's (W8JI) website. He lists D117 as a 1N4005 Diode vs the the 1N4001 that is currently in my AL-80B and also the Amp Manual.

Wondering if Tom feels that the 1N4005 is a better choice due to higher rating.

Has anyone replaced D117 in their amp to the higher rating diode.

Tnx..

73 De Mike
VE3YF

[KE3WD]

It is rather common to replace 4001's with the higher current rating rectifiers up to and including the 4007.  Increased margin of safety regarding reverse voltage spec to some degree as well. 

But I would not do so as any sort of "mod" -- but if the 4001 were ever to go south, I'd replace it with one of the higher numbered ones.  Matter of fact, I only have the 1N4007's here in my drawer. 

However, if Tom says to replace it before it ever blows, I'll go with his knowledge and expertise on these subjects every time. 


73

[WB2WIK]

I doubt it matters at all, since there's almost no voltage across the diode in normal operation.  The 4001 through 4007 are all a few cents each.

[W9GB]

It is rather common to replace 4001's with the higher current rating rectifiers up to and including the 4007.

Just to clarify, the 1N4000 through 1N4007 diodes are ALL rated at 1 Ampere (Maximum average forward rectified current)
The differences (4001 - 4007) are Voltage,RMM : Maximum repetitive peak reverse voltage

Vishay Datasheet (1N4001 - 1N4007) - General Purpose Plastic Rectifier
http://www.vishay.com/docs/88503/1n4001.pdf

I have just finished looking at an Updated Power Supply Board Schematic that is on Tom's (W8JI) website. He lists D117 as a 1N4005 Diode vs the the 1N4001 that is currently in my AL-80B and also the Amp Manual.
Wondering if Tom feels that the 1N4005 is a better choice due to higher rating.

The 1N4005 is a 600 V part, while the 1N4001 is a 50 V part.  BOTH rated for 1 Amp (current).

[KA5N]

There is no point in buying any one amp diodes except the 1N007's.  I have often
thought that the other diodes in the series just couldn't make the grade and were
branded with the lower numbers.  Of course if you need a higher current diode (than
1 amp) don't try to fudge with a 1N007.  3 Amp diodes don't cost much more than 1 amp
dudes and are perfect for power supply rectifiers.   Rule of thumb is that a higer rated
diode can be safely subbed for a lower rated diode  but not vice versa!!
Ain't electronics wonderful??
Allen KA5N

[N9MXY]

There is one thing to consider when going to a higher voltage diode, more voltage drop under a current load when compared to a lower voltage rating diode.  At least that's what they taught us 30 some years ago...

[AA4PB]

There is one thing to consider when going to a higher voltage diode, more voltage drop under a current load when compared to a lower voltage rating diode.  At least that's what they taught us 30 some years ago...

I don't think that's true any longer. All of the 1N4000 series diodes have the same forward voltage drop.

[G3RZP]

It only applies if the higher voltage rectifier is a series stack of diodes, rather than just one.

[KE3WD]

Whoops. 

Thanks for catching that Typo-from-I-Don't-Know-Where I left up there. 

Of course it is the Voltage Rating and not the Current. 

[K4DPK]

If there's nothing wrong with it, don't mess with it.

Phil C. Sr.
k4dpk

[VE3YF]

I think the next time I have the amp opened up I will follow Tom's advice and go for either the 1N4005 or 1N4007. Thanks for everyones input.

73 De Mike
VE3YF