3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference? - Amplifiers Forum at eHam.net

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3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by KB3LXY on February 12, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Hello all I am looking for a set of extra finals for my Swan Mk-2 amp. It is one of the early modles with the 400-z tubes in it. Any difference in performance in the 3-400-z versus the 8163? Any other tubes fill the bill at the same or better performance levels? thanks JohnB

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by K0BG on February 14, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
You might find a pair of working 3-400s, but 3-500s are a lot easier to find. There is a slight difference in their plate capacitance, but you'll never notice it. Alan, KØBG www.k0bg.com

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by N9XTF on February 14, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
I have a pair of full output 3-400z tubes in my L-4. However, I was looking for a backup set to put on the shelf. I priced NOS on the 3-400Z tubes, but the new 3-500ZG RF parts tubes were much cheaper. My only delima would be to change the chimneys. Hope you find what you are looking for! 73-Doug

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by WILLY on February 14, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
by N9XTF on February 14, 2006 "... However, I was looking for a backup set to put on the shelf. I priced NOS on the 3-400Z tubes, but the new 3-500ZG RF parts tubes were much cheaper. My only delima would be to change the chimneys. ..." Maybe not your only delima. Before you invest your money, to have spares on the shelf for a long period of time, here are some things you might like to spend a few minutes reading: http://www.eham.net/forums/Amplifiers/3686?page=1 From approximately the eight post on. http://www.eham.net/forums/Amplifiers/3545 From approximately the seventh post on. http://www.eham.net/forums/Elmers/104819 From approximately the seventh post on. or text search the page for the word "bang". http://www.w8ji.com/vacuum_tubes_and_vaccum_tube_failures.htm Lots of good reading here. For example: "The quickest way to ruin a 3-500Z, or other glass power grid tube, is to never show anode color over a prolonged period of time! Storing a 3-500Z for many years without operation almost guarantees a flash-over will occur at the first application of high peak anode voltage. " While this refers to the 3-500Z tube, before you invest in 3-400Z tubes for backup, you might want to inquire and find out if it applies to them too. If so, I suppose the solution would be to rotate them every few months - but that would be another topic. :) I hope this helps. 73

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by KB3LXY on February 14, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks all That is some interesting reading. I never heard of it before. The 500-z tube is too tall for the amp witout some mods to the sockets. The later model Mk-2 amps did use the 3-500-z tubes, and had a socket that was a little deeper into the chassis. But...I may be better off finding a healty set of used tubes !!! JohnB 73

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by KB3LXY on February 17, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
It seems the 8163's are about the same size and dissapation as the -400-z ????? JohnB

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by AB5GU on February 21, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Hi John, I have 7 of the Swan Mark I and Mark II amps. They will both take a 3-500z or 3-400 tube. What you need are the shorty plate caps that Swan used. Then use the 3-500z tubes and go man go. Marty

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by KB3LXY on February 23, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks Marty Do have any?? This amp is a brute ! It loads to full legal limit plus...with a haealthy 500cx as driver ! Great amp !! Kinda like a tank !!!! 73 JohnB

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by MASON on March 2, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
My 8163's have graphite anodes and seem to hold up much better than the3-400 and they also take a licking and keep on ticking. Mason

RE: 3-400-z ? or...8163 ? Difference?	Reply
by KB3LXY on March 4, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
...what manufacture are they? 73 JohnB

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