1000EE-Monarch
Aluminum
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2010
- Location
- CA Bay Area
So I was working on a friend's WIAD 10EE (1950's tube type) and sure enough, it's got a bad grid transformer (Stancor interstage A-73C). Big surprise!
Those have always been the #1 most irritating electrical components in these machines as far as I'm concerned. Because of how often they fail, how hard they are to test accurately, and how hard it it to find a good replacement.
Last time I needed one (about 7 years ago) I called Monarch Lathes LP and they had it. Forget the price but it was reasonable. Called them again, and they said no stock, unsure of lead time and price. Meaning they have to get them made.
The other thing that really had me concerned is they said it's not an item people call asking for too often. I'm really surprised.... there's not too many other places to get that transformer and they go bad all the time. And there's still a lot of WIAD machines out there. So are people just not fixing them much any more and going AC motor and VFD?
My questions are:
Is there any other source for a replacement that I'm not aware of?
If Monarch Lathes LP does come up with a reasonable price and lead time, how many should I buy? Anyone interested in a group buy? They are likely to get harder and harder to find. I'm thinking it would be wise to own at least 5 or 10 if I plan on seeing glowing tubes 20 or 30 years down the road. That is without redoing the grid circuit which might not be a bad idea.
Are the new manufacture replacements from Monarch Lathes LP any good? Anyone put a lot of run time on one see how they hold up?
Anyone have specs (as in # of turns, wire AWG, length of wire and arrangement of winding) on that sucker? Trying to unwrap one to get that info has been a waste of time I lost my patience! Since both the turns ratio and the winding resistance are important in the circuit, that info would be important if one was to make a copy. And I have no idea if "cheating" by using the correct turns ratio but lower winding resistance than adding the resistance externally would work or not.
Anyone try an A-53C (from a module drive machine)? How did it work?
Any input on those pesky little transformers will be appreciated!
Those have always been the #1 most irritating electrical components in these machines as far as I'm concerned. Because of how often they fail, how hard they are to test accurately, and how hard it it to find a good replacement.
Last time I needed one (about 7 years ago) I called Monarch Lathes LP and they had it. Forget the price but it was reasonable. Called them again, and they said no stock, unsure of lead time and price. Meaning they have to get them made.
The other thing that really had me concerned is they said it's not an item people call asking for too often. I'm really surprised.... there's not too many other places to get that transformer and they go bad all the time. And there's still a lot of WIAD machines out there. So are people just not fixing them much any more and going AC motor and VFD?
My questions are:
Is there any other source for a replacement that I'm not aware of?
If Monarch Lathes LP does come up with a reasonable price and lead time, how many should I buy? Anyone interested in a group buy? They are likely to get harder and harder to find. I'm thinking it would be wise to own at least 5 or 10 if I plan on seeing glowing tubes 20 or 30 years down the road. That is without redoing the grid circuit which might not be a bad idea.
Are the new manufacture replacements from Monarch Lathes LP any good? Anyone put a lot of run time on one see how they hold up?
Anyone have specs (as in # of turns, wire AWG, length of wire and arrangement of winding) on that sucker? Trying to unwrap one to get that info has been a waste of time I lost my patience! Since both the turns ratio and the winding resistance are important in the circuit, that info would be important if one was to make a copy. And I have no idea if "cheating" by using the correct turns ratio but lower winding resistance than adding the resistance externally would work or not.
Anyone try an A-53C (from a module drive machine)? How did it work?
Any input on those pesky little transformers will be appreciated!