using old UX-280 rectifiers

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I love the look of the old globe-shaped tubes in amps that have large octals. I'd like to use a UX280 globe FW rectifier that I have, but notice that there are flakes of filament coating on the bottom of the glass when you up-end the tube. The filament lights up, but I have no way of testing the tube apart from this. My theory is also not so hot on these. If the filament coating is flaking off, I guess the electron emission would be reduced. In turn, the current it can handle would be less. My question is, would it be safe to use one of these rectifiers if the load current were, say, no more than half its maximum rating? Transformer secondary is 385-0-385V. What is the consequence of using a poor rectifier - one that is not gassy but has a flaky heater? - does it simply cause a very large voltage drop or can it actually cause circuit damage?

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Kimber Kable

Topic - using old UX-280 rectifiers - Johnno 17:01:19 10/01/01 (1)

you could get a short. . - John PA 18:10:54 10/03/01 (0)

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