1920s(?) valve ID, please - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

llama · 19th Jul 2014, 6:08 pm

I have an unknown 4 pin base valve and I wonder if anyone can help get near an ID for it, please.

The base is metal (nickel plated?) and above that the envelope is about 2". A lot like a clear light bulb. Inside the Anode is a horizontal tube about 6mm dia and 20mm long. The filament is a single strand with a spiral grid about 2.5mm dia.

The only marking I can find says:

4V
50-200V
Importe de Hollande

Just noticed on the other side it says Philips E

Did such valves have a type number or is that it?
Graham

Cobaltblue · 19th Jul 2014, 9:08 pm

Maybe its this one?

Cheers

Mike T

60 oldjohn · 19th Jul 2014, 10:24 pm

Ahh, a R Valve style?.

John.

llama · 20th Jul 2014, 12:10 pm

Thanks. So it's a type E then. Mine has a straight sided section of glass for about 10mm above the metal base. More like the R type illustrations but without the pip on the top. The internal structure looks like the E illustration.

Someone has scratched an X on the base to I suppose it's dud. But may be a useful exhibit somewhere at some stage.

Presumably it'll soon be 100 years old.

Thanks to all.
Graham

Cobaltblue · 20th Jul 2014, 12:28 pm

Hi Graham

It's worth Checking filament continuity

Cheers

Mike T

llama · 20th Jul 2014, 12:56 pm

2 x AAs across the filament pins: light!
Good suggestion, Mike.

The filament has sagged onto the grid. Maybe it could be sagged the other way.

Graham

Alan Stepney · 20th Jul 2014, 2:56 pm

The R type and those derived from it, had limited life.
500 hours was not unusual.

It was also common to run tham at much higher filament voltage for transmitters or higher power.
In those cases, life could be very limited.

It is suffiently rare (although not particularly valuable) that I would keep it as a static exhibit unless you have a specific use for it.

19th Jul 2014, 6:08 pm	#1
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	1920s(?) valve ID, please I have an unknown 4 pin base valve and I wonder if anyone can help get near an ID for it, please. The base is metal (nickel plated?) and above that the envelope is about 2". A lot like a clear light bulb. Inside the Anode is a horizontal tube about 6mm dia and 20mm long. The filament is a single strand with a spiral grid about 2.5mm dia. The only marking I can find says: 4V 50-200V Importe de Hollande Just noticed on the other side it says Philips E Did such valves have a type number or is that it? Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

19th Jul 2014, 9:08 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,857	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please Maybe its this one? Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

19th Jul 2014, 10:24 pm	#3
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,985	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please Ahh, a R Valve style?. John.

20th Jul 2014, 12:10 pm	#4
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please Thanks. So it's a type E then. Mine has a straight sided section of glass for about 10mm above the metal base. More like the R type illustrations but without the pip on the top. The internal structure looks like the E illustration. Someone has scratched an X on the base to I suppose it's dud. But may be a useful exhibit somewhere at some stage. Presumably it'll soon be 100 years old. Thanks to all. Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

20th Jul 2014, 12:28 pm	#5
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,857	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please Hi Graham It's worth Checking filament continuity Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

20th Jul 2014, 12:56 pm	#6
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please 2 x AAs across the filament pins: light! Good suggestion, Mike. The filament has sagged onto the grid. Maybe it could be sagged the other way. Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

20th Jul 2014, 2:56 pm	#7
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: 1920s(?) valve ID, please The R type and those derived from it, had limited life. 500 hours was not unusual. It was also common to run tham at much higher filament voltage for transmitters or higher power. In those cases, life could be very limited. It is suffiently rare (although not particularly valuable) that I would keep it as a static exhibit unless you have a specific use for it.