Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?

: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
:
Half wave. I think you can replace with a IN1004 rectifier. (Radio Shack)

: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?

William:
What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
Lewis
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:: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
:
:William:
:What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
:Lewis
::
:
:

::: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
::
::William:
::What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
::Lewis
:::Thank You -Lewis and Mitch
::
::
:
:

:::: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
:::
:::William:
:::What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
:::Lewis
::::Thank You -Lewis and Mitch
:::
:::
:Hi! William,
Here is a link to a thread where you can copy and paste links to free information on selenium rectifiers:
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/forums/Messages/278/M0093278.htm
I think one link no longer works. But there are several books still available for free downloading.
Good luck!
Bob Masse
:
:

::: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
::
::William:
::What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
::Lewis
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::
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This may help: http://www.w3hwj.com/index_files/RBSelenium2.pdf

A 1N4003 is too marginal. Just get a 1N4007 and enjoy the safety factor. Only a dime from most distributors.

Rich

:::: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
:::
:::William:
:::What you probably have is a half wave, as a full wave requires a power transformer. The rectifier can be replaced very easily with a silicon diode, a 1N4003, for example. Most people put a resistor in series with the diode, to lower its efficency to match the selenium. I like the 1N400X family, as they are cheap and easy to find. The lower last numbers, 1N4001 and 4002 are rated at a too low a Voltage, but the 4003 and up will do fine in a radio. When you replace the rectifier, put a resistor in series to bring the B+ down to 150 Volts if you have to, and it should last forever and then some.
:::Lewis
::::
:::
:::
::
::
:
:This may help: http://www.w3hwj.com/index_files/RBSelenium2.pdf
:
:A 1N4003 is too marginal. Just get a 1N4007 and enjoy the safety factor. Only a dime from most distributors.
:
:Rich

You, Rich, are right. I should have said that a 4003 is the lowest Voltage rating that he should use, and it is working pretty close to its breakdown. The 4007 probably wouldn't ever know it was rectifing something. Other 1N numbers will work, also, but the 400X family are cheap and very reliable, being very state-of-the-art.
Lewis

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Google is your friend. A couple of searches and you will know what the terms "full-wave" and "half-wave" mean when dealing with rectifiers. Forum questions are ok, but you will do yourself a big favor by doing some research and trying to learn on your own.

Now as to your question, there are both half-wave and full-wave seleniums. The half-wave types are more common in smaller sets made in the US. Larger European sets commonly used full-wave rectifiers.

The schmeatic for your radio will show which your set has. Understanding what the schematic shows relates to the beginning of this post.

: Is a selenium rectifier for a tube radio full or half wave? My schematic indicates 150 volt after rectification and before the first filter capacitor.What do i need to do to replace the selenium rectifier?
: