Pics of tubes....

[lowphatbass]

Some winged c’s in some “pre-tariff” Canadian iron.

 

[rodl2005]

One tube to rule them all, and in the darkness, rectify them..

These old mercury arc rectifier tubes were used to power electric trains. Think about the power that takes. U fortunately, mercury is stupid toxic so their day has passed, but no guts, no glory, right? Imagine the world-crushing bass amp you could build with one of these monsters:

Hootin' heck!!!!

Ampeg bassamp. The purple top tube is an OC3 voltage regulator

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Very very cool. Thanks for the reply and pics

 

[beans-on-toast]

Mercury vapor tubes are not used today in new amp designs, there are better alternatives. They were common in the past, including some test equipment.

Many Hickok tube testers use a #83 mercury vapor rectifier tube. They sell them pre selected for use in a Hickok tester. Some Hickok units have a circuit that’s used to balance the diodes, others don’t and need to use the preselected Hickok grade tubes. Fortunately, there are solid state solutions that can be retrofitted. Unfortunately, after installing a solid state replacement, the tester needs to be recalibrated.

These tubes have mercury in them that is vaporized when powered up. You don’t want to break the glass envelope.

Mercury-arc valve - Wikipedia

Mercury vapor lamps were introduced in the early 1900’s. They proved well for street lighting.

The Mercury Vapor Lamp - How it works & history



RCA #83

 

[rodl2005]

Ive heard nothing but good things re the old Traynor amps. I've owned a couple of 'modern' Traynors - a YBA200 & YBA300.
How did they sound with the EL34's? Many (bass oriented) ppl say they aren't keen on EL34's for bass. ????
My old (Aus made mid 70s) Eminar PA head that I used for bass for a good 10 yrs, had 6 x 6CA7's in it, apparently for about 150 or so watts, and it sounded great.
The power tubes eventually wore out in it and at the time, I was told EL34'S were suitable. They weren't and a spectacular fireworks display ensued I ended up with JJKT77's in it, which worked fine.

I haven't found a pic of the old Eminar yet, so here's my old 78 Fender Studio Bass amp

 

[rodl2005]

Mercury vapor tubes are not used today in new amp designs, there are better alternatives. They were common in the past, including some test equipment.

Many Hickok tube testers use a #83 mercury vapor rectifier tube. They sell them pre selected for use in a Hickok tester. Some Hickok units have a circuit that’s used to balance the diodes, others don’t and need to use the preselected Hickok grade tubes. Fortunately, there are solid state solutions that can be retrofitted. Unfortunately, after installing a solid state replacement, the tester needs to be recalibrated.

These tubes have mercury in them that is vaporized when powered up. You don’t want to break the glass envelope.

Mercury-arc valve - Wikipedia

Mercury vapor lamps were introduced in the early 1900’s. They proved well for street lighting.

The Mercury Vapor Lamp - How it works & history



RCA #83
View attachment 3129758

People looked 'Greenish tinged' under the light's glow good for the zombie trend!
Great link thanx @beans-on-toast
I wish my brain could cope with the 'simple' electronic info of these things. Makes one feel positively 2 centuries old ....... and not very "bright"

 

[Spectrum]

The thing about those giant mercury vapor tubes is that they look like something from the mad scientist's lab in the movie Metropolis, all you need is a female robot walking around with a couple of tesla coils humming nearby, dress yourself up like Rick Sanchez or the guy from Robot Chicken and you're all set.

 

[agedhorse]

I actually saw mercury arc rectifiers used in a DC carbon arc projection system as late as the 1980's. Scary looking glow from the 3 phase rectifier pack operating around 100 amps at 30-35V

 

[Passinwind]

The thing about those giant mercury vapor tubes is that they look like something from the mad scientist's lab in the movie Metropolis, all you need is a female robot walking around with a couple of tesla coils humming nearby, dress yourself up like Rick Sanchez or the guy from Robot Chicken and you're all set.

Hadn't thought about this tangent until just now, but here are a few of my good friend Mundy Hepburn's neon art pieces. Many are kinetic and proximity sensitive, like the plasma globe thing.

 

[jastacey]

I have several Traynor YBA3's I tried the Electro Harmonix El34's and the 6CA7's, they didn't last, the voltages ate just too high for that brand of tubes, ended up using JJ's

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Link Removed

 

[disssa]

The Tubes of my Invalid Link Removed:

 

[Mr. Foxen]

 

[seamonkey]

View attachment 3130423

A little gene splicing and you can get that tuber to glow also.

 

[beans-on-toast]

That sand state little chip proved a good media to grow a tuber amp!

 

[Jwood]

The Tubes of my Invalid Link Removed:
View attachment 3130215

That's a beautiful picture.

 

[mnats]

 

[JimmyM]

View attachment 3130993
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That's way out of the closet for that time period

 

[ReidK]

That's way out of the closet for that time period

There's a good pin/socket joke in there somewhere...

And thanks to all for a cool tube-porn thread.

Reid

 

[Rockbobmel]

More glass-like soldiers!

 

[rodl2005]

12 6L6's. Like my old YBA300. YUMMY!