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is it possible?

sanjosebay21

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May 24, 2013
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I have a palomar amp that has 2 2879's and one is bad is there any way I can pull both out and just run a single 2290 in it what would I have to do to convert it to a single pill ?
 

Converting from 2 transistors to 1

Go to CB tricks and look up the Texas Star Modulator, follow the schematic.
 
If you really wanted to do that then why use a 2290 and not just use the good 2879?

I was kind of wondering that myself. If you plan on using it to drive a bigger amp, I can't imagine that the higher output would be an issue because that amp should have "low, med, and high" settings. Or you could just lower the power on the radio to limit the power out of the amp. But maybe you have your reasons. I'm just curious.
 
I have a palomar amp that has 2 2879's and one is bad is there any way I can pull both out and just run a single 2290 in it what would I have to do to convert it to a single pill ?


With amplifiers your always better off running them the way they were designed and intended. No swapping pills, don't disabled driver pills, don't change a 4 pill to a 2 or a 2 pill to a one. Finals are way to expensive these days to waste them on tinkering. Most amplifiers that people mess with end up as truck stop shop trade in's.

In your example you would have to re-engineer and re-work the whole amp. If it's a project you just gotta try then have fun I guess. You will need several 2290's so when you start smoking them you can still complete the "project".
 
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I have a palomar amp that has 2 2879's and one is bad is there any way I can pull both out and just run a single 2290 in it what would I have to do to convert it to a single pill ?

To answer your question you cannot just simply chage out a transistor for a different one, and or a different numbered one.

This is something that cannot just be "simply explained" to someone that has no expereience with amplifiers. I would suggest that you put the amplifier to the side and do alot of research before attempting any repairs or re-engineering. Otherwise you will end up paying more than you care to.

good luck to you.
 
Do what the mad scientist is saying, and if you are going to change out 1 transistor I would change both and get a matched set if possible, I know the good toshiba 2879's are getting harder to find. Good luck and maybe post an ad wanting to trade it for a 1 pill modulator amp instead.
 
Isn't that the truth, or when you see "I have no means to test it since I am not familiar with this type of radio."

That translates to "I put the golden screwdriver to this POS and now it only lights up and hums loudly."

I saw a Drake TR-4 for sale and in the ad he claimed he had no power supply to test it, but checking all the items he has for sale was a "Perfectly working AC-4 power supply."
 

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