Half-Tap Power Transformer?

[Cygnus X1]

I haven't found much about this so it's probably just a dumb question.

Let's say I have a big honkin' power transformer from an organ that checks 350-0-350 HT unloaded.
700V is way too much for what I need...could I work with just CT and one leg to get 350V?
Of course I'd have to use a full wave bridge to create the artificial center.

Question 2: Does this cut the current handling capacity?

I've seen the info on bucking, and zeners, other tricks to drop the voltage but thought I'd ask about this.

Thanks in advance!

[martin manning]

A FWB on half of the secondary would be approximately the same voltage, at half the current capability, as a FW using both halves, so I don't understand why you'd want to do that. With 350 VAC each side you should end up with somewhere around 440 VDC.

[Phil_S]

If you use a real (old stock) 5Y3, you'll probably end up with about 385-390 VDC. Does that work for you? That's good for most anything but EL84's.

[Cygnus X1]

A FWB on half of the secondary would be approximately the same voltage, at half the current capability, as a FW using both halves, so I don't understand why you'd want to do that. With 350 VAC each side you should end up with somewhere around 440 VDC.

440 is too high for what I'm shooting for.
(I think)
My design is cathode bias PP 6L6's running at loaded 425 at B+1, 413V on the plates.

You lost me on the FWB and FW abbreviations.
Your answer on current handling capability is really the core, thank you.
If it's running at half, then it shot nought be done!

I suppose 440VAC loaded would get me in the ballpark any ways?
Three preamp tubes plus PI, plus 2x6L6GC's.

If you use a real (old stock) 5Y3, you'll probably end up with about 385-390 VDC. Does that work for you? That's good for most anything but EL84's.

That was my first thought, but on this particular build there is no room for a rectifier.
SS diodes are the only option.

Also putting the question out there just because it is dumb...and because I have a bunch of these overrated organ amp transformers to use.

[Cygnus X1]

El Double'

[martin manning]

FWB = Full Wave Bridge (four diodes), FW = Full Wave (two diodes, center tapped). If you are doing cathode bias, you reduce the anode-cathode voltage by the bias voltage, so that would probably work fine. I recently had a 2 x 6L6 Supro with 437V on the plates. Using a 330 Ohm cathode resistor the cathodes were at 35V, and it was running at ~70% of max dissipation. I don't see any reason you couldn't use that same power section.

[Cygnus X1]

OK, thanks for the clarification.
I'll go ahead with the original plan and see how it works.
Should be great.