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Valveman11
modified 8 years ago

SS Vibrator Replacement for Motorola 3333

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02:39:01
Here is a solid-state replacement for a vintage Motorola 3333 vibrator. It's a little over-engineered, but should work quite well and still fit in the original can. For those who aren't familiar with vibrators, they are electromechanical devices with a set of points that open and close rapidly to provide pulsed DC to feed a step-up transformer. The output of the transformer would be rectified and provide high-voltage for the plates of the tubes in an early car radio. Most of the cars back then had 6-volt electrical systems. The radios typically used about 200 volts on the plates of the tubes. Vibrators are prone to wear and dirty/worn/sticking points, so a solid-state replacement is ideal! To reduce waste heat and improve efficiency, this circuit will either use MOSFETs or IGBTs to drive the step-up transformer. The transformer is represented by 2 2-ohm resistors. For some reason, EC freaks out if you try to simulate the actual transformer. The step-up transformer has one winding on the primary with a center tap. The CT goes to positive, while the vibrator alternately connects each side of the winding to ground. Be sure to hit the start button in the bottom left! It was a crude, but effective way to do it back in 1935 :)
published 8 years ago
ilmaster1
8 years ago
Ttt
eekee
8 years ago
A relaxation oscillator with extra bits, right? Anyway, I think center-tap transformers are still used like this. :)
zorgrian
8 years ago
Why?
zorgrian
8 years ago
Again, this may be worth a fortune! Sell it to the Tate modern in London as modern art! Happy Easter.
qassis
8 years ago
Very nice, and very nice description/explanation. Thanks.

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