Philips EL6472 2KVA Audio Amplifier
Unholtz-Dickie 2KVA Audio Amplifier


Note the unusual and beautiful paint pattern in the above close-up of the actual unit.

At some point, the very largest of vacuum-tube audio amplifiers seem to have faded away. Amplifiers like this, and larger, may have been used in vibration test (shakers), 1000-space drive-in theaters, stadiums, mains power frequency changers, and other applications. They may have disappeared to scrap yards, a few to hobbyists, and other places never more seen. It really is a tragic loss.

In 2013 I was lucky to find the remains of an Unholtz-Dickie 2KW audio amplifier (made by Philips and re-badged) formerly used in shaker service. By remains, I mean that the chassis, covers, and the output transformer are recovered. The manual appeared on the WWW. That is enough, however, for dedicated hobbyists to go on. Below are some details and pictures. It is not a complete story by any means. It is expected to take at least two years to build this back into a usable, stable amplifier. Then it will be time to look into subwoofers. The output is 100VAC@2KVA, equivalent to a 5-Ohm load, and maybe various 100-120V equipment loads.

The original configuration called for 208V/60Hz 3-phase power input. Six DCG4/1000 Mercury vapor rectifiers supplied 4750V to a pair of QB5/1750 tubes. A single phase transformer provided filaments, bias, and 700VDC via two DCG1/250 Mercury vapor rectifiers for the QB5/1750's EL34 cathode follower drivers and related voltage amplifiers.


Here is a comment directed to the audio enthusiast public as well as makers of transformers.

Service Information bulletin March 1, 1961
courtesy of Unholtz-Dickie, makers of high-quality vibration testing equipment

Service Document October 15 1956
from http://www.amplifiers-with-valves.nl/
More Philips power amplifiers there.


General Images:



An Amertran 3.75 KVA transformer found with the unit.
It is not the right one (output 3200VDC instead of 4570VDC)
but is one possibility and is about the right electrical size.



Amertran data plate reveals impressive specifications. The transformer
is from a military RF amplifier used with the BC-610 transmitter.
The 115V primary does not bother me. It's only 32 amps. Power can
easily be accommodated for the amplifier with a 40A or 50A breaker and
NEMA 5-50 (125V), or for the entire "stereo" with a 14-50 (125/250V) receptacle.



The large upright cabinet with front cover on. It's
about 40" (1010mm) tall, 27" (670mm) deep, 20.6"
(524mm) wide, and really beefy of frame. The original weight was
some 540 lbs (245Kg). Casters are to be next. There are some here already.
The upper cutout is for heavy IR-blocking glass. The lower is for the controls.
Note that the top window is larger than in the service manual.



For the drive, the rear cover had to go forward. It's behind the chassis
and output transformer. Note the 3.375"/8.57cm cigarette pack for scale.
The large holes are fine for convection ventilation of rear components but
it's more like the front of the thing is where the hot air will be generated!


Output Transformer Images:



Plate and B+ terminals


Output terminals. about 5 Ohms


inside, The oil was drained before I got it, and will be replaced


Power Capacity


Looking at the large transformer, how can the power-handling ability be judged? For single phase 60Hz power transformers in general, the VA rating is approximately calculated in this way:
Cross-sectional area in inches = (SQRT(V*A))/5.58
So, solving for Volt*Amps, knowing core cross-sectional area:  
(5.58 x core area)^2 = Volt*Amps capacity
- From the Radiotron Designer's Handbook 4th Edition page 235.

This transformer's core area appears to be about 9.6 square inches. It's an average guess from a couple people judging the photos. I have not had time to measure this yet.

The core height is evident, but the width has to be observed carefully. Note the stitching-like marks where the laminations abutt. That indicates the thickness of the actual core from right to left.

(9.6*5.58)*(9.6*5.58)=2878VA

The value from the formula above is 2878VA.
It must be taken into account that the steel in this audio transformer is probably selected for this application, that is to say, it is probably not the same steel usually found in power transformers of the types discussed in historical power transformer literature. In any case, there is at least 2KVA found by calculating from the averaged estimates of cross-section of the core. Once there's time to measure it, likely the answer will be closer to 2KVA, maybe even less because a better steel core need not be as large as a lesser one. That is indeed an ugly-looking rust stain, but it pretty much wiped right off. Not as bad as it looks.


Replacement Transformer Oil


Shell Diala BX was recommended.
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