Mystery valve? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

g4wim_tim · 30th Jan 2019, 8:56 pm

In a box a valves I was given is a mystery octal type.

Internally it looks like two triodes with seperate cathodes but each cathode has two anodes.

Hard to see in the attachments, but the anodes look quite large and are finned.

It has a CV number the last digit of which is 4.

Any ideas what it might be?

Regards Tim

Cobaltblue · 30th Jan 2019, 9:02 pm

Possibly a 6080 ?

CV2984

http://r-type.org/exhib/aad0010.htm

Cheers

Mike T

g4wim_tim · 30th Jan 2019, 9:12 pm

I'm impressed ! Yes that's the one 6080, looks like quite a useful PSU type valve.

Regards Tim

G6Tanuki · 30th Jan 2019, 9:23 pm

It's a good low-impedance valve for use - as you say - as the series-pass element in regulated PSUs.

I believe they were also used in some of the early valve computers to switch the supply to solenoids in things like line-printers and paper-tape/card-punches, where you needed to be able to fire a few hundred mA through the coil to get a fast pull-in.

barrymagrec · 30th Jan 2019, 10:33 pm

Used in some Tektronix scopes for power regulation.

Cobaltblue · 31st Jan 2019, 6:42 am

I played with the 6080 a lot in the 90s hence my immediate recognition trying to make transformerless audio power amplifiers with moderate success, the efficiency was dreadful.

I was overseas at the time without the family so had time on my hands to play.

It's a lovely valve and takes a lot of abuse I still have a few kicking around somewhere

Cheers

Mike T

Diabolical Artificer · 31st Jan 2019, 7:36 am

Yep, a 6080, my Tektronix 585A that isn't working at present uses two of them.

Andy.

Radio1950 · 31st Jan 2019, 11:01 am

Ye olde 6080.
Very common in regulated power supplies in the 60's.
Good for 250 V and 250 mA, and cruisin'.
Reliable and forgiving.

G8HQP Dave · 31st Jan 2019, 1:16 pm

There appears to be a factory code on the opposite side from the CV mark.

g4wim_tim · 31st Jan 2019, 1:20 pm

factory code AJ1 R5B4 or R584

Regards Tim

Maarten · 31st Jan 2019, 3:11 pm

AJ was indeed a code used by Philips/Mullard for the ECC230 and 6080.

R5B4 point to manufacture in Mitcham, the fourth week of february, year 5 (probably 1965).

30th Jan 2019, 8:56 pm	#1
g4wim_tim Pentode Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Freckleton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 232	Mystery valve? In a box a valves I was given is a mystery octal type. Internally it looks like two triodes with seperate cathodes but each cathode has two anodes. Hard to see in the attachments, but the anodes look quite large and are finned. It has a CV number the last digit of which is 4. Any ideas what it might be? Regards Tim Attached Thumbnails __________________ Building and tinkering for over 50 years, from 807's to digital amateur TV.

30th Jan 2019, 9:02 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,879	Re: Mystery valve? Possibly a 6080 ? CV2984 http://r-type.org/exhib/aad0010.htm Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

30th Jan 2019, 9:12 pm	#3
g4wim_tim Pentode Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Freckleton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 232	Re: Mystery valve? I'm impressed ! Yes that's the one 6080, looks like quite a useful PSU type valve. Regards Tim __________________ Building and tinkering for over 50 years, from 807's to digital amateur TV.

30th Jan 2019, 9:23 pm	#4
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Mystery valve? It's a good low-impedance valve for use - as you say - as the series-pass element in regulated PSUs. I believe they were also used in some of the early valve computers to switch the supply to solenoids in things like line-printers and paper-tape/card-punches, where you needed to be able to fire a few hundred mA through the coil to get a fast pull-in.

30th Jan 2019, 10:33 pm	#5
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,562	Re: Mystery valve? Used in some Tektronix scopes for power regulation.

31st Jan 2019, 6:42 am	#6
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,879	Re: Mystery valve? I played with the 6080 a lot in the 90s hence my immediate recognition trying to make transformerless audio power amplifiers with moderate success, the efficiency was dreadful. I was overseas at the time without the family so had time on my hands to play. It's a lovely valve and takes a lot of abuse I still have a few kicking around somewhere Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

31st Jan 2019, 7:36 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,670	Re: Mystery valve? Yep, a 6080, my Tektronix 585A that isn't working at present uses two of them. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

31st Jan 2019, 11:01 am	#8
Radio1950 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Buderim, Queensland, Australia. Posts: 428	Re: Mystery valve? Ye olde 6080. Very common in regulated power supplies in the 60's. Good for 250 V and 250 mA, and cruisin'. Reliable and forgiving.

31st Jan 2019, 1:16 pm	#9
G8HQP Dave Rest in Peace Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Solihull, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 4,872	Re: Mystery valve? There appears to be a factory code on the opposite side from the CV mark.

31st Jan 2019, 1:20 pm	#10
g4wim_tim Pentode Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Freckleton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 232	Re: Mystery valve? factory code AJ1 R5B4 or R584 Regards Tim __________________ Building and tinkering for over 50 years, from 807's to digital amateur TV.

31st Jan 2019, 3:11 pm	#11
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,203	Re: Mystery valve? AJ was indeed a code used by Philips/Mullard for the ECC230 and 6080. R5B4 point to manufacture in Mitcham, the fourth week of february, year 5 (probably 1965).