Ekco T161 - Page 4 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

anthonys radios · 2nd Aug 2009, 5:32 pm

The glass is important, the base is not so far as vacuum goes, unless the glass pinch protected by and inside the base is broken.
This is a bit unlikely as the base would be very loose or broken I feel.
If soft, the gettering deposited inside the glass goes milky, how does this look ?

Electricdreams · 2nd Aug 2009, 5:39 pm

I've just checked the 20P1 and it looks very clear (and clean since I've cleaned it up)

anthonys radios · 2nd Aug 2009, 5:41 pm

Can you hear the Line whistle ? if so can you (very carefully !!) draw a short 1 cm or so spark from the U25 anode, thats the single wire end.
Do not short this ground, use a well insulated screw driver, dont touch or go anywhere near the blade, and the spark will not harm you, these HF sparks burn, rather than shock, so take great care.
If you can get a healthy spark, and the U25 remains not lighted, it may mean the U25 is o/c heater.
Might be worth while soldering the two heater wires, dont melt the plastic !
U25 have been known to be intermittent o/c by the way, and drawing a spark, can heal an o/c heater for a few hours.

Do not attempt to measure the U25 heater voltage with the set on !!
Switch off, disconnect 1 lead and check resistance.

Electricdreams · 2nd Aug 2009, 5:45 pm

I cannot hear the line whistle no, do I check this spark with the set plugged into the mains?

Electricdreams · 2nd Aug 2009, 6:02 pm

Right, there's no spark or anything. Not even from the Anode

anthonys radios · 2nd Aug 2009, 7:28 pm

Can you move the horizintal hold/Line hold from one end to the other, and then leave near the middle.
Did you hear any whistle from the line stage when you adjusted this control ?

Can you check the HT ?
Do you have a circuit ?
If you have a meter ?

anthonys radios · 2nd Aug 2009, 7:35 pm

Just read your previous re 20P1 looking very clear, it would normally have an area, at least 2 or 3 cm diametre of a shiny black, perhaps silvery deposit inside the envelope, somewhere at the base area, is this present?
A completely clear envelope is a bit suspect, as it means there is no visable getting deposit inside the glass envelope, and the valve may well be "soft",

You can compare the correct deposit by looking at the oter valves in the set, they are smaller but will have the gettering probably at the very tops.

Electricdreams · 2nd Aug 2009, 9:01 pm

No line whistle at all.

The slivery deposit is present. But the base is cracked and rather loose.

I don't know if this is helpful but there are bits of white deposit on the inside. Not loose.

Danny · 2nd Aug 2009, 10:02 pm

That valve sounds soft to me . but have you any sound the volume control should make some crackling noises when turne up and down . if not then you probrably have no ht. but you will almost certainly need a new valve. Danny

Electricdreams · 2nd Aug 2009, 10:09 pm

Hmm where can i find a 10P1...

No sound at all. Would this be linked to the EHT problem?

Lloyd 1985 · 2nd Aug 2009, 10:55 pm

Hi,
if you have no sound and no eht then I would definately be checking the HT line. what sort of rectifier does this set use?

lloyd.

Heatercathodeshort · 3rd Aug 2009, 7:14 am

It is very unlikely, if the 20P1 is lighting up that the valve is faulty. They are very tough old birds and usually outlive the set. I noticed that there appeared to be a 'bowler hat' type H.T. rectifier around the area of the U801 valve base. This needs to be investigated. Half or should I say two quarters of the U801 is used as a boost diode and the rest for H.T. rectification. Its time to get the meter out. If you don't have one a simple 15w pygmy bulb in a holder with two lengths of wire will serve as a basic voltage detector. J.

Electricdreams · 3rd Aug 2009, 2:41 pm

There isn't a U801 it's been replace with a Brimar 6X5 GT

anthonys radios · 3rd Aug 2009, 2:48 pm

Oh Dear, that sounds very fishy, you have a bit of a clue there!!

anthonys radios · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:08 pm

Sorry about previous post, had to go to door.
The two valves are not equivalents, and cannot be interchanged.
Best lay you hands on a U801 before going any further.
The U801 is a TV valve, and the 6X5 is generally for radios, but apart from that there are enormous differences between them, Im afraid.
You should get one pretty cheap I think, at a radio rally for example, a pound should see one in your pocket

Well done

Electricdreams · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:09 pm

Really? How interesting. I wonder who put it there.

Electricdreams · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:14 pm

It says here that the U801 is an unreliable Valve:-

http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aay0008.htm

Wouldn't this make the valve very hard to get?

Station X · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:50 pm

I'm in unknown territory here, but given the stated unreliability of the U801 is it possible the set's been rewired to take a 6X5?

Nickthedentist · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:56 pm

Or has someone re-wired it already, I wonder?

Station X · 3rd Aug 2009, 3:59 pm

That's the question I asked.

I wonder if the extra transformer powers the 6X5's heater? We need pictures.

2nd Aug 2009, 5:32 pm	#61
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 The glass is important, the base is not so far as vacuum goes, unless the glass pinch protected by and inside the base is broken. This is a bit unlikely as the base would be very loose or broken I feel. If soft, the gettering deposited inside the glass goes milky, how does this look ?

2nd Aug 2009, 5:39 pm	#62
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 I've just checked the 20P1 and it looks very clear (and clean since I've cleaned it up) __________________ What have you bought now??

2nd Aug 2009, 5:41 pm	#63
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 Can you hear the Line whistle ? if so can you (very carefully !!) draw a short 1 cm or so spark from the U25 anode, thats the single wire end. Do not short this ground, use a well insulated screw driver, dont touch or go anywhere near the blade, and the spark will not harm you, these HF sparks burn, rather than shock, so take great care. If you can get a healthy spark, and the U25 remains not lighted, it may mean the U25 is o/c heater. Might be worth while soldering the two heater wires, dont melt the plastic ! U25 have been known to be intermittent o/c by the way, and drawing a spark, can heal an o/c heater for a few hours. Do not attempt to measure the U25 heater voltage with the set on !! *Switch off,* disconnect 1 lead and check resistance.

2nd Aug 2009, 5:45 pm	#64
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 I cannot hear the line whistle no, do I check this spark with the set plugged into the mains? __________________ What have you bought now??

2nd Aug 2009, 6:02 pm	#65
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 Right, there's no spark or anything. Not even from the Anode __________________ What have you bought now??

2nd Aug 2009, 7:28 pm	#66
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 Can you move the horizintal hold/Line hold from one end to the other, and then leave near the middle. Did you hear any whistle from the line stage when you adjusted this control ? Can you check the HT ? Do you have a circuit ? If you have a meter ?

2nd Aug 2009, 7:35 pm	#67
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 Just read your previous re 20P1 looking very clear, it would normally have an area, at least 2 or 3 cm diametre of a shiny black, perhaps silvery deposit inside the envelope, somewhere at the base area, is this present? A completely clear envelope is a bit suspect, as it means there is no visable getting deposit inside the glass envelope, and the valve may well be "soft", You can compare the correct deposit by looking at the oter valves in the set, they are smaller but will have the gettering probably at the very tops.

2nd Aug 2009, 9:01 pm	#68
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 No line whistle at all. The slivery deposit is present. But the base is cracked and rather loose. I don't know if this is helpful but there are bits of white deposit on the inside. Not loose. __________________ What have you bought now??

2nd Aug 2009, 10:02 pm	#69
Danny Heptode Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Walsham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 516	Re: Ekco T161 That valve sounds soft to me . but have you any sound the volume control should make some crackling noises when turne up and down . if not then you probrably have no ht. but you will almost certainly need a new valve. Danny

2nd Aug 2009, 10:09 pm	#70
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 Hmm where can i find a 10P1... No sound at all. Would this be linked to the EHT problem? __________________ What have you bought now??

2nd Aug 2009, 10:55 pm	#71
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Ekco T161 Hi, if you have no sound and no eht then I would definately be checking the HT line. what sort of rectifier does this set use? lloyd.

3rd Aug 2009, 7:14 am	#72
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Ekco T161 It is very unlikely, if the 20P1 is lighting up that the valve is faulty. They are very tough old birds and usually outlive the set. I noticed that there appeared to be a 'bowler hat' type H.T. rectifier around the area of the U801 valve base. This needs to be investigated. Half or should I say two quarters of the U801 is used as a boost diode and the rest for H.T. rectification. Its time to get the meter out. If you don't have one a simple 15w pygmy bulb in a holder with two lengths of wire will serve as a basic voltage detector. J.

3rd Aug 2009, 2:41 pm	#73
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 There isn't a U801 it's been replace with a Brimar 6X5 GT __________________ What have you bought now??

3rd Aug 2009, 2:48 pm	#74
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 Oh Dear, that sounds very fishy, you have a bit of a clue there!! Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 3rd Aug 2009 at 6:10 pm. Reason: Font fixed.

3rd Aug 2009, 3:08 pm	#75
anthonys radios Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Ekco T161 Sorry about previous post, had to go to door. *The two valves are not equivalents, and cannot be interchanged.* Best lay you hands on a U801 before going any further. The U801 is a TV valve, and the 6X5 is generally for radios, but apart from that there are enormous differences between them, Im afraid. You should get one pretty cheap I think, at a radio rally for example, a pound should see one in your pocket Well done

3rd Aug 2009, 3:09 pm	#76
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 Really? How interesting. I wonder who put it there. __________________ What have you bought now??

3rd Aug 2009, 3:14 pm	#77
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Ekco T161 It says here that the U801 is an unreliable Valve:- http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aay0008.htm Wouldn't this make the valve very hard to get? __________________ What have you bought now??

3rd Aug 2009, 3:50 pm	#78
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Ekco T161 I'm in unknown territory here, but given the stated unreliability of the U801 is it possible the set's been rewired to take a 6X5? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

3rd Aug 2009, 3:56 pm	#79
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Ekco T161 Or has someone re-wired it already, I wonder?

3rd Aug 2009, 3:59 pm	#80
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Ekco T161 That's the question I asked. I wonder if the extra transformer powers the 6X5's heater? We need pictures. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.