Y63 "Magic Eye"

[Mr Etronic]

Hi. has anyone seen a y63 "magic eye" failed? Mine is not green but I can see a faint orange light on my Etronic RA640

[music-centre]

Hi,
They "always" seem to be failed in my experience, the magic eyes, especially early ones, don't last anything like as long as the other valves. The glow you can see would be just the heater, worth checking the supplies to it against the manual though , of course.
Welcome to the forum.
Steve.

[paulsherwin]

As Steve says, all the magic eyes with metal targets don't last long. Owners would rarely bother having them replaced because of the cost and the fact that the radios work perfectly well without them. Practically every radio with a magic eye restored in the last 30 years has needed it replacing, which is why NOS magic eyes are scarce and expensive now.

[Sideband]

Check the high value resistors feeding the target and anode....one or both may have gone high. Replacing them may result in the eye reverting from nothing to barely visible in a dark (and I mean DARK) room!!

[ValvoStef]

I had this in my KB set, I thought the magic eye was gone, replaced it (a mere 10 quid on ebay) still the same. I checked the power supply and the anode voltage was down to 50V. To my surprise, the radio was working OK, apart from the magic eye. It turned out that the rectifier valve was duff, once replaced, the magic eye was working again. Worth checking this first, I nearly threw away a good Y63.

[cathoderay57]

Unless you are prepared to lose your money, IMHO it isn't worth the gamble of buying untested magic eyes from auction sites. I've even seen images of examples stated as "tested working" showing the orange heater glow mentioned in Post #1 with not a trace of green. Also seen a spate of other valve types advertised as "selling on continuity" which is not quite as bad assuming the vendor doesn't have a valve tester. Then of course there is the "new old stock" or "opened unused" unfortunately of which a proportion will be "pulls" shoved back in the box after a new replacement was fitted. It's an imperfect world of course so buyer beware and are you feeling lucky! In fairness to sellers I have to say for all the valves I have bought that tested u/s I have asked for and received a refund. Cheers, Jerry

[ekjdm14]

If it is indeed dead, after checking the supply voltages, and the OP wishes to restore normal operation. Is there a Russian equivalent to the Y63?

I know there are new ones available equivalent to later "eyes" such as the EM83 etc but not sure if they make anything that'd suit these earlier valves. It is possible to get lucky with untested valves, but generally I read "untested" as "tested and was dead". Again though, the sellers I've dealt with have been reasonable with any problems.

[bluepilot]

Could you replace it with an LED replacement? Search Ebay for something like "OEIL MAGIQUE ELECTRONIQUE" (You might need Google translate for the description)

[Cobaltblue]

I think a few people have used Russian Magic Eyes like these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1pcs-x-6E...wAAOSw--9eOr2v

No recommendation not dealt with this seller however there are many people selling these valves.

Cheers

Mike T

[Herald1360]

Originally Posted by bluepilot

Could you replace it with an LED replacement? Search Ebay for something like "OEIL MAGIQUE ELECTRONIQUE" (You might need Google translate for the description)

Or closer to home.....

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=97804

[Chris55000]

Hi!

The Russian 6E5S works fine but you need a base wiring change!

Y63:–

1:– i.c. 2:– h 3:– a/d 4:– t 5:– g, 6:– n.p. 7:– h 8:– k, g'

6E5s:–

1:– i.c., 2:– h, 3:– a/d, 4:– i.c., 5:– g, 6:– t, 7:– h, 8:– k, g'.

Both types Vh 6.3V 0.3A, Vt 250V, Ra 1M, Vg –22V zero shadow angle.

To rewire a Y63 socket for a 6E5S transfer the lead and the end of the (usually 1M) anode resistor formerly connected to pin 4 to pin 6.

Chris Williams

[jhalphen]

Hi to all,

@Mr Etronic : re : Magic Eye replacement module.

i posted this a while ago....
The LED indicator module described below is sold completely assembled and replicates an eye tube tuning indicator (round type, EM-34,...) with startling accuracy.
As a bonus, you can chose an array of colours instead of the traditional green.
If you desire so, the module can also indicate the tuning frequency and the IF offset is selectable.

Disclaimer : i have no relationship to the vendor, aside of having purchased a few for myself.

Best Regards
Jhalphen

https://www.radioelec.com/oeil-magiq...4_384-834.html

[Mr Etronic]

I am tempted to get one of these to try and keep a working valve eye for nostalgia.....can I ask how it looked when working, were you pleased with the effect?

[Mr Etronic]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check voltages first then I'll replace with a like magic eye. I want to keep it as was for as long as possible.

[Mr Etronic]

Originally Posted by ValvoStef

I had this in my KB set, I thought the magic eye was gone, replaced it (a mere 10 quid on ebay) still the same. I checked the power supply and the anode voltage was down to 50V. To my surprise, the radio was working OK, apart from the magic eye. It turned out that the rectifier valve was duff, once replaced, the magic eye was working again. Worth checking this first, I nearly threw away a good Y63.

Finally got round to it. On the Y63 I put a voltmeter over the anode (pin 3) to chassis and got 42V. So I will try the same.

[Mr Etronic]

Mind you the rectifier 5z4g is brightly lit.

[Mr Etronic]

THIS is anode resistor is giving 1.18 megaohms.

[HamishBoxer]

At 20% tolerance,if I am correct,it is not miles out. (1M)

[ColinTheAmpMan1]

Originally Posted by Mr Etronic

Mind you the rectifier 5z4g is brightly lit.

The fact that the rectifier filament is glowing isn't indicative that the rectifier is working as it should. The emission could be down or there could even be internal connections that are broken, etc. Best to check the DC voltage on the cathode and, if you have a scope, the ripple there, too.

Colin.

[Mr Etronic]

I take it that will be the rectifier by the transformer on the right...in which case someone spotted it might not be a 5z4g which has a different shape.