Troubleshooting bad tube on Triple Rectifier

[snafu7x7]

Hey gang, I'm having some trouble with fuses blowing regularly on my Triple Rectifier. After some research online I understand that the most likely culprit is either a bad power tube or a bad rectifier tube. My question is this...can I rule out the rectifier tubes by flipping the "Rectifier Select" switch to the "Silicon Diode" position? In other words, does this completely bypass the 3 rectifier tubes and eliminate them from the equation in terms of my troubleshooting? Or can they still cause blown fuses even if they are not being actively used?

thanks!

 

[3124+]

No, but set the switch to silicon diode and then you can try the amp with the three rectifier tubes removed.

 

[snafu7x7]

No, but set the switch to silicon diode and then you can try the amp with the three rectifier tubes removed.

Why is that exactly if you don't mind me asking?

And so it doesn't rule them out but it does provide me a mechanism to figure out which set (the rectifier tubes or the power tubes) is likely causing the issue and troubleshoot from there. That's a good plan, thank you.

 

[3124+]

The tube/diode switch simply adds the diodes in parallel with the tubes. The diodes take over because they have much less internal resistance, but the tubes remain in the circuit. The only way to completely remove the tubes from the circuit is to physically take them out.