anodizing bridge rectifier

[rhrocker]

Hi guys, this is a cross post with Tool Time also:
Found a Variac, had it at my shop all along, just forgot about it. Went to Radio Shack in downtown Uvalde, Texas today for the 25 amp full wave bridge rectifier, RS part # 276-185. They didn't have one, so they called the "main office" (whatever that is), and they said it had been discontinued.
I guess I'm off to San Antonio tomorrow to try and find one, but thought I'd ask on the forum here is anyone has any other ideas that would work for this. While in SA, I have to try and locate to TSP also (Sams?). Yep, Nowhere in Uvalde for that.
Thanks!

[Ray Rogers]

I guess that means Radio Shack didn't have a substitute part for that rectifier, huh? Well, bridge rectifier's are a common electronic item and there should be many other sources for them. A quick web search provided many sources, one of which is:

http://www.digikey.com

I've purchase electronic items from them before, they have just about everything you could want.

TSP should be available at any hardware store. It's generally considered an industrial strength cleaner...

[rhrocker]

Hi Ray. I had them cross reference it, but no luck. Thanks for the link! I think TSP can be obtained everywhere except Uvalde, Texas

[Ray Rogers]

You're welcome, but that's not the only link. My search came up with quite a few. That was just the first one I recognized.

Bridge rectifiers aren't cutting edge electronics. If they can't cross reference it, they should be able to to find one with similar specs. Wouldn't have to be identical.....

[Don Robinson]

I built my anodizer several years ogo, and got the bridge rectifier from Radio Shack for $1.99.

A few years later, I helped my brother-in-law build one and RS didn't have the same BR, but they did have another totally enclosed one that would work. The original one I used was just a little printed circuit board with 4 diodes on it, and no terminals. That's probably why it was so cheap. The one I got for my brother-in-law was enclosed, potted, and had terminals, but it was the same thing, a PC board chip with 4 diodes on it.

[Frank Niro]

TSP is commonly available at places that sell paint. It is used for cleaning before painting. Frank

[rhrocker]

Good point Frank! I didn't think about that. There's a Sherwin-Williams paint store in sunny Uvalde, I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Don, maybe I could just make my own rectifier brom a piece of circuit board if I could find the 4 resistors somewhere (and had a schematic). I found some that should work on the site that Ray posted though. I may post the ones I found and see if you guys think they'd work before I order one. I think Bob Warner said to just make sure it's rated for a higher voltage, and higher amperage, than the variac.

[Mail4Tim]

Robert,

You can certainly make your own bridge rectifier however you will need to use diodes and not resistors! As was mentioned just be sure the current rating of each diode is larger than the rating of the variac. If you need a drawing send me an email at either home or work and I can send one to you. I'm at work now and I don't have access to post anything from here, sorry. Anyway I'm happy to help, electrical things I know, making knives however I'm still learning.

Tim

[Bob Warner]

Robert,

If you send me your address, I will send you a bridge rectifier. I have new, unopened one.

[rhrocker]

Bob, thanks a heap!!!
Robert Hensarling
4326 East Main
Uvalde, Texas 78801

I'll be up and running finally! I'm just about finished with the scales on my first folder, and will be ready to anodize them by the end of the week.

[rhrocker]

BTW Bob be sure to put your return mailing address on the package, and I'll send you some burled mesquite like I sent Don Cowles a while back. (He posted a photo somewhere on the forum of a great folder with the mesquite).

[rhrocker]

TIM! Thanks a lot for the offer! Somehow I overlooked your post. I appreciate you wanting to help. Looks like Bob W is bailing me out on this, so looks like I've located an elusive BR.
Thanks again!

[Bob Warner]

It will go out tomorrow morning.

Address is:

Box 515
Nevada, TX 75173

[bandido]

Here is a drawing and parts of a bridge rectifier .. All parts are available at Radioshack. The electrolytic cap is optional dc filter. If you do use it make sure the positive side (+) is going to the positive output or it will make a big bang and smoke if backwards. Won't hurt anything except make your blood pressure go up afew points. Check the dc out for voltage and polarity with a meter ..

bridge rectifier

Greg

[Don Robinson]

Now you've got it all Robert, thanks to Bandido.

Bandido, where is Texico? You might be my next door neighbor.