15 Aug
1999
15 Aug
'99
2:35 p.m.
Yes, but those weren't particularly
"bizarre". They were just common
incandescent bulbs.
No, there really were little great grandsons of the 6E5. To quote from
*Tube Lore*:
6977 [AKA DM160]; T1 submin. computer indicator triode, blue green glow,
fil. 1.0 V @ 30mA; shows no light at Vg -8, full glow at 0 V (AX, MU,
RCA, SY, TS) (8-12-57).
T1 is the bulb size (tubular - 1/8 inch diameter). The "AX, ..." business
means that known makers were Amperex, Mullard, RCA, Sylvania, and Tung
Sol.
The advantage to these is that they have very good life expectancy -
probably in the 30 plus years range. Like other "eye tubes", the main
failure one finds is contamination of the target, causing the brightness
to decrease.
The Packard Bell 250 uses them.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org