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Message started by Cons on 06/17/25 at 12:27:19

Title: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Cons on 06/17/25 at 12:27:19

Cheers
Hoping someone can help. The rectifier tube (5Y3GT) becomes loose and I need to jiggle it to work. It also vibrates and causes a hum. Would a socket extender or damper help?
Thanks

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Lon on 06/17/25 at 12:56:53

Seems like a socket issue. You can try to tighten the "tines" (I myself have never been successful with this) and that may solve the issue. Or as has been the case in one of my amps the socket may need to be replaced. . . .

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by CAJames on 06/17/25 at 14:20:44

In general a socket saver prevents this issue rather than fixes it, but I doesn't hurt to try. Otherwise I agree with Lon: you can try surgery yourself or get the socket replaced.

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Kahuna Jack on 06/17/25 at 16:41:38

Is the glass itself loose from its own base? if so time for a new rectifier.

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Cons on 06/17/25 at 19:03:01

Thank you for the replies! I just had the preamp rebuilt, so it's odd that it's happening again with a new tube. Any particular place I should purchase a socket extender?

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by CAJames on 06/17/25 at 19:34:13

Quote:

Posted by: Cons Posted on: Today at 11:03:01

...I just had the preamp rebuilt, so it's odd that it's happening again with a new tube....

Do you know that the tube sockets were replaced? Do you have another rectifier to try? Quality control on most current production tubes is pretty sketchy so it is possible the problem is the tube not the socket. FWIW it is always a good idea to have a compete set of replacement tubes on hand because you never know when one will go bad. Also the best way to test for tube related problems is to replace the tube.

Quote:

...Any particular place I should purchase a socket extender?

They are pretty generic so ebay or amazon are good bets.

Good luck regardless.

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Cons on 06/17/25 at 20:16:07

Well... I explained the problem to Steve prior to the rebuild. He said he would change it if needed it. Thank you for your help on this. I'll try the socket extender.

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Cons on 06/20/25 at 12:16:36

I did find the socket savers as suggested on Amazon. I think the odd thing on the unit is that the bolts holding the socket in place isn't flush with the chassis. I trimmed of some of the Bakelite off where the head of the bolt protrudes so the socket saver sits flush with the chassis. So far so good. Thanks for the suggestions!

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by CAJames on 06/20/25 at 16:01:59

I've had a lot of socket savers over the years and they have all fit between the socket mounting bolts. But I'm glad you solved your problem.

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Kahuna Jack on 06/20/25 at 20:53:32

Ive used adapters often but never owned a socket saver. How does this fix OP problem?? are the pins fatter on a socket saver??

Title: Re: SE84CSP Loose Rectifier Tube
Post by Lon on 06/20/25 at 21:13:46

In the case of 9 pin tubes in some cases the bottom of the socket saver are slightly flatter and the flatter surface of the bottom of the socket saver can help improve a connection.