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The Vibrator Power Supply

Function:

The function of the vibrator power supply is like that of the AC operated supply - to provide the necessary voltages
for the receiver. In this case the voltage source is a 6-volt storage battery instead of AC house current. This type of
power supply was developed mainly for automobile radios and farm sets to be used in rural areas where AC house
current was not available.

Theory of Operation:

Since the set is to be operated from a 6-volt DC source, all tubes in the set are 6-volt heater type and are connected in
parallel and fed directly from the 6-volt " A" source.

Some provision must be made to supply the high-voltage direct current required to operate the plate circuits of the
receiver. Since a steady DC voltage applied to a transformer will not induce a voltage in the secondary, a means must
be provided to interrupt and alternately reverse the DC voltage in the primary winding. The vibrator will accomplish
this. Refer to Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

How the Vibrator Works - At the starting position, current flows through the top half of the transformer primary to
the vibrator coil. This causes the vibrator contacts to be attracted upwards, making the top contact. The top contact
shorts out the vibrator coil, and causes a heavy current to flow through the top half of the primary winding. The
de-energized vibrator coil allows the vibrator contacts to swing through the starting position, and make contact with
the lower contact. This interrupts the current through the top half of the primary winding and causes a heavy current
to flow through the bottom half of the primary winding, reversing the magnetic field. This also removes the short
across the vibrator coil, allowing it to once again energize, attracting the contacts upward. This cycle repeats itself
continuously. The constant reversal of the magnetic field induces an alternating current in the secondary of the
transformer. The frequency of this alternating voltage is determined by the mechanical structure of the vibrator. See
Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

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The vibrator and transformer convert the 6-volt DC to a high-voltage alternating current. This is fed to a conventional
rectifier and filter circuit to provide the B+ voltage for the radio set. See Figure 3 below.

Figure 3

Vibrator Hash - The making and breaking of current at the vibrator contacts are accompanied by sparking. The
sparking decreases the life of the contacts and causes RF interference in the receiver. This interference is know as
hash. Circuits must be provided for spark suppression and hash filtering.

C-3 in the diagram above is the buffer capacitor. It takes up the high-voltage surges that would otherwise result from
the rapid magnetic changes taking place during the time the vibrator contacts are traveling between contacts. It also is
effective in reducing sparking at the contacts. The capacitor and inductance of the transformer form an oscillating
circuit, and for this reason it is important that this capacitor be replaced with one of the same value and voltage rating.
Common values vary from .005 to .03 mfd.

Resistors R-1 and R-2 are connected across the vibrator contacts and are also effective in reducing sparking and hash.
They form a discharge path for back electromotive force in the primary which would otherwise cause a heavier spark
at the contact break. These resistors rarely give problems. Sometimes capacitors are used in place of the resistors.

The vibrator choke L-2 and C-3 form a hash filter to keep the hash from the vibrator out of the receiver filament lead.

Other methods for hash suppression are the total shielding of the vibrator and sometimes the power supply itself. The
vibrator is shielding by being enclosed in a metal can. The entire power supply is often shielded by being enclosed in a
metal compartment of the receiver assembly.

The Rectifier and Filter - The 6X5 tube is widely used as a rectifier in vibrator supplies with the 6Z4 and 84 types
also used. Receivers using loctal type tubes may use a 7Y4.

The filter is the standard L-C filter circuit to smooth the rectifier output. It consists of the filter choke L-15 and
electrolytic capacitors C-15 and C-16. In some receivers, the choke may be the speaker field coil. RF choke L-6 and
C-6 form an RF filter for hash suppression in the B+ lead.

The Synchronous Vibrator Power Supply - The synchronous vibrator has an extra set of points that take the place
of the rectifier tube. This acts as a mechanical rectifier. The circuit is shown in Figure 4 below. Both sets of contacts
are mounted on the same vibrating reed and operate in sync, as indicated by the dashed line in the diagram. The
second set of contacts at B cause the secondary current to always flow through the load in the same direction. In this
manner, the contacts at B serve as a full-wave rectifier, eliminating the need for a rectifier tube.

In radio with a synchronous vibrator power supply, the polarity of the input voltage is important since it will determine
the rectified output. Incorrect polarity will cause the rectified output to be minus. In a set with a non-synchronous
vibrator power supply, the input polarity does not matter.

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Figure 4

Common Troubles In The Vibrator Power Supply:

The troubles that commonly develop in vibrator power supplies are in the vibrator, rectifier tube, buffer capacitor,
filter capacitors, and switch. The following applies to both synchronous and non-synchronous types.

Troubles Common to Vibrators - Vibrators are subject to many ills. Shorts and overloads in the B circuit of the
receiver place an abnormally heavy load on the vibrator. In addition, it is a mechanical component that is in constant
motion, and deterioration due to wear is to be expected. The spring of the vibrating reed can lose its tension, the
contact points wear, and sometimes become black and pitted and stick. Sometimes a defective vibrator can be
repaired by filing the contact points. This means you must open the container and remove the vibrator unit. Use a
burnishing tool to clean the points as anything else such as fine sandpaper or a file will remove the coating on the
contacts. A weak vibrating reed or worn contacts may cause the vibrator not to start. A good 6-volt vibrator should
start and run at 4-volts DC. It is advisable to fuse the A supply input; should the vibrator contacts stick, heavy current
will be drawn that could cause damage to components.

There are solid state replacements available for non-synchronous vibrators. Antique Electronics Supply is one source
of these units.

Troubles Common To The Buffer Capacitor - The buffer capacitor usually breaks down due to voltage overload.
When this happens the radio is inoperative because of the absence of B+ voltage. Heavier than normal current will be
drawn because of the short across the transformer secondary. A shorted buffer capacitor will be evident by measuring
resistance from plate to plate of the rectifier tube. The capacitor should be replaced with one of the same capacity
value and the same or higher voltage rating. The voltage ratings for buffer capacitors are in the 1600 volt range.

Troubles Common To The Rectifier Tube - Troubles with the rectifier tube are the same as in other AC operated
receivers. Weak or no electron emission and open filament are the most common problems with rectifiers.

Troubles Common To The Filter Circuit - Filter chokes seldom give any problems. The electrolytic capacitors,
however, can open, become leaky, or short. When replacing filter capacitors, it is important that the replacement has
the same or higher voltage rating.

Trouble Common To The Power Switch - The power switch in vibrator power supply receivers is prone to give more
trouble than in AC operated receivers. This is because the switch must break a heavier current, in the order of 3-6
amps, whereas the AC operated receiver must only break in the order of .3 to 1 amp. In addition, any slight resistance
developed in the switch contacts of an AC operated receiver will be overridden by the 115 volts supply without any
appreciable heating of the contact. The same circumstance in the low-voltage, high-current of the vibrator supply will
cause considerable loss of power, heating and finally burning of the switch contacts.

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Hash Suppression - Different receivers use various types of hash suppression methods. A breakdown of one or more
of the hash suppression components can cause excessive hash in the set. When restoring a set it is advisable to replace
all of the capacitors in the hash suppression circuits. Try to use values as close to the original as possible. Check all
ground connections. Some ground connections may be established by chassis screws; some may be soldered directly
to the chassis. Occasionally, a chassis rivet may be used for a ground connection. These should be cleaned and
spot-soldered to the chassis. If excessive hash persists, try changing the rectifier tube or the vibrator, if another is
available. If resistors are used across the vibrator contacts, check these for open or changed values.

Quick Check Of The Vibrator Power Supply

Vibrator is buzzing
Hum and hash level are normal
All tubes in receiver light
B plus measures 150 to 250 volts

Service Data Chart For The Vibrator Power Supply

Symptom Incorrect check results
Receiver does not operate No buzz from vibrator
One or more tubes do
not light
B plus measures low or zero
Power supply checks give
normal results
Receiver operation is weak Low or erratic B voltage
Power supply checks give
normal results
Excessive hum
Excessive hash
Intermittent operation Power supply checks give normal results Worn-out vibrator which sometimes
Fuse blows repeatedly Power supply checks give normal results Vibrator with sticking points.
Check for
Blown or defective fuse
Burnt or inoperative switch
Defective or worn vibrator
Defective tubes
Defective filament wiring
Shorted buffer capacitor.
Worn-out vibrator.
Defective rectifier tube.
Short-circuited RF hash by-pass
capacitor in B plus lead.
Shorted filter capacitor.
Short in receiver portion
of B plus circuit.
Trouble in the receiver stages
Worn out vibrator.
Weak rectifier tube.
Resistance in switch.
Incorrect capacity of buffer capacitor.
Component in receiver drawing
too much B current.
Trouble in the receiver stages
Open filter capacitors.
Defective tubes.
Poor ground connections in receiver
Poor ground connections.
Defective vibrator.
Defective rectifier tube.
Open hash filter.
Incorrect buffer capacitor.
fails to start (check at 4 volts).
Intermittent cathode to heater short
in rectifier tube

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Normal Voltage Date For The Vibrator Supply

6X5
Point to Point Voltage
pin No.
Chassis to "A" supply hot lead 6
Chassis to center tap
5.5
of transformer primary
Chassis to rectifier plates 3 & 5 150-250 AC
Chassis to rectifier cathode 8 160-260
Chassis to B plus 150-250

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