Hah, time warp. Good one.
N2DTS...One like this?
From a '47 QST ad for Walter Ashe.
Not that $40 was cheap, but it does INCLUDE delivery...
Those were the days, eh?
73DG
Those were the days! $40 for that 2KVA unit. $400 in today's money. The days of choke input filters too. Got to love that!
If the iron's used at slightly less current a C input can be used as well. I still have that transformer as in the ad. I did the PSUD simulations on it.
2700VDC @ 700mA, 5% ripple with LC of 10H/4uF (rect_Ipk=0.95A)
3910VDC @ 500mA, 5% ripple with C filter of 24uF (rect_Ipk=3.1A)
I'm glad you posted that ad; it made me think. The 4-1000 amp rebuild in the other project could run on 3900V @ 500mA pretty well, I think. It's a full 2KVA, much better than the typical desktop amp. PSUD seems to be reasonably good for C input on the older stuff.
About BC-610 plate iron - it's good stuff and made 1KW CCS, back in the day when that meant something.
It's the same as the Stancor P-9920:
HI tap: 2980VAC, 2500VDC @ 350mA CCS or 450mA ICAS (3500VDC on high tap with C input)
LO tap: 2450VAC, 2000VDC @ 500mA CCS or 625 mA ICAS
(according to PSUD)
The secondary DCR of those older transformers that were not used with C input filters tends to be higher than new transformers. Of the ones I've messed with, it is not really that bad, considering. The older ones also did not skimp on the steel and don't seem to have saturated easily when used conservatively.
I don't mind the weight. I also must get a helper to move some of them, and the PA-309 is on a dolly. The point is that if these things are bolted in the bottom of a rack that is not going to be moved, who cares how heavy it is? It may also keep a tall cabinet from tipping as easily.
Would it be worthwhile to get the old iron out and run it up to a warm temp. to drive out moisture from time to time? Does not seem to be an issue in TX.
Well these are just my opinions. I guess I like the old parts as much as new.