RE: magnetrons as diodes

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I know relatively little about tube technology, so I may
well be wrong, but I don't see why not.  If you use the original
microwave oven transformer, you can use the filament winding to heat the
cathode like in the original configuration, and the case would be the
anode of the diode.  If the magnets were removed, I don't think the
cavities inside would resonate, so I don't think microwaves would be
produced.  Always good to check though.  I don't know what the
working voltages would be though.  As I said, I know very little
about tube technology, so I'm not sure what the minimum forward bias
would be, but I think the maximum voltage across it would be limited only
by internal arcing between the cathode and case.  This could be
measured by applying increasing voltages from the cathode to case until
it started conducting (ie, an arc forms).  This might damage the
magnetron tube though if there's some insulating material in the
path.  If I'm not conclusively proven wrong by someone else here, I
plan to try this soon.  I just finished disassembling a microwave
oven and (with some difficulty, as I only had some small pliers) the
magnetron.  If I try it before you do, I'll let you know how it
works.

Chris



-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list
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mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Mon 1/1/2007 8:17 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: magnetrons as diodes
 
Original poster: Frosty <frosty90@xxxxxxxxx>

Hi Everyone,
I havnt really posted anything on the list before but i have been 
reading it for a while,
I was just wondering if the magnetrons out of microwave ovens could 
be used as HV diodes, if you removed the magnets to stop microwave 
generation. and used the filament winding on a MOT for filament
power.
If any on has tried this before i would love to know....i supose they
would quickly overheat though?
I was thinking it would be a good alternative to HV silicone diodes 
in a voltage doubler circuit (for a dual MOT supply----it keeps 
blowing diodes),
Any comments much apreciated,
Jesse Frost