[Boatanchors] NEED TUBE INFO

Sun Jul 22 10:48:05 EDT 2007

The big question is:  Is this mystery 280A tube actually an 82?

Evidently, someone back then decided to "buck" the numbering system and 
confuse things by using a number of his choosing!

I have avoided getting into this thread because in all the years I've been 
around "radio" the type number would VERY strongly indicate this "280A" was 
nothing more than a generic type 80.  Now that mercury vapor rectifier and 
2.5 v. filament comes on the scene, it suggest very strongly to me, what 
this tube is would be a generic type 82.

Will that fit the requirements?

73,
Sandy W5TVW
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <cemilton at aol.com>
To: <gswynar at durham.net>; <brian.goldsmith at echo1.com.au>; 
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 7:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] NEED TUBE INFO

> Hello to the list..............
>
> Seems there is no argument that a type 280 rectifier is the same as a type 
> 80.  But the question remains, is there a tube with a type number of 280A 
> that has a 2.5v filament.
>
> The answer is YES!  The 280A is a mercury vapor rectifier that has a 2.5v 
> filament.
>
> Granted, it is an antique.................but it exists, and there is 
> reference to it's existence.  The telephone company (Bell System) used 
> them for years.  Complete with their 2.5v filaments.
>
> A fellow named Ludwell Sibley wrote a pretty good book a few years back as 
> a reference for tube collectors.  Luddy did extensive research into the 
> origin and history of tubes and their designs and put it all into his 
> reference manual.  For those who are AWA members, you probably know of 
> whom I speak.
>
> For the Non-Believers................ Obtain his reference manual.  Look 
> on page 158 under the designator 253A.  Read the specs.  Then, skip over 
> to page 159.  Read the heading under designator 280A...................
>
> For years, we've successfully interchanged type 80's with type 280's and 
> they worked.  As well they should.  The much later 5Y3 is a variant of the 
> type 80.  Basing is different, but in many cases can be used depending on 
> circuit configuration.  But if you encounter a 280A, better check first 
> before using more than 2.5v on the filaments.  Or you might have a 
> collectible dud.
>
> Best 73 to all...............
>
> YMMV
>
> W4MIL
> Chuck
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: EP Swynar <gswynar at durham.net>
> To: Brian Goldsmith <brian.goldsmith at echo1.com.au>; 'BOATANCHORS' 
> <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sat, 21 Jul 2007 7:20 pm
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] NEED TUBE INFO
>
> Hi Guys,
>
> I don't know where the notion came up that just because a rig uses 2.5
> filament tubes then, by default, the rectifier tube has to be 2.5 volts as
> well...!
>
> Nothing is further from the truth...and I hate to tell the non-believers
> reading this, but an 80 is just like a 280, performance & specs-wise ---  
> the
> sole difference *could* be in the glass envelope used by each, i.e. the
> older 280-type uses a globe / balloon envelope, whereas the 80 (or, in the
> shortened form it became known as, the '80) has a shoulder-type 
> envelope...
>
> Check any of the older issues of QST: you'll see power supplies 
> illustrated
> therein using the abbreviated '80 designator (short for 280), hooked-up to 
> a
> 5.0 VAC filament winding of the power transformer.
>
> I've interchanged 280 tubes with 80 tubes in my HB projects here, and have
> NEVER "flamed-out" the filament of ANY supposed 2.5 volt 280 by treating 
> it
> like an 80, with 5 vac on the filament...that SHOULD have happened if 
> there
> was a difference between the two types, and in very short order, too. But 
> it
> never has, never will...
>
> Perhaps somebody here has 80 / 280 tubes confused with the mercury 
> vapoured
> '83 tube...? Now, it --- or some other designation --- share the same
> characteristics, EXCEPT for the filament voltages, i.e. 2.5 vac versus 5.0
> vac...
>
> ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
> ***********************
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Goldsmith" <brian.goldsmith at echo1.com.au>
> To: "'BOATANCHORS'" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:12 AM
> Subject: [Boatanchors] NEED TUBE INFO
>
>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Hollander
>>
>>
>> Brian - once again, the 280 rectifier is a 2.5 volt filament tube. It
> is
>> the2.5 volt version of the 80 rectifier. The National 5887 doghouse
> supply
>> uses one to power the FB-7 receiver 2.5 volt tube version. The
> National
> 5880
>> doghouse which is for the 2.5 volt version of the SW-3 also has a 280
> in
> the
>> power supply. The doghouse supplies for the early national receivers
> using
> 6
>> volt tubes uses an 80 rectifier.
>>
>>
>> ***** The following people from the Tube Collectors Association do not
> agree
>> with you and present some data sheets to back them up.I agree with you
> about
>> the 280A.
>>
>> >>1) Re: 280 Rectifier
>>     Posted by: "Donald Daykin" daykin at ameritech.net drdaykin
>>     Date: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:54 am ((PDT))
>>
>> Believe me, the 280 has a 5-volt filament. Since they need separate
>> windings, it makes no difference what the voltage is for the other
> tubes.
>>
>> Donald
>>
>> >>2) 2c. Re: 280 Rectifier
>>     Posted by: "Roger P. Walker" rp.walker at btconnect.com rp.walker
>>     Date: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:23 am ((PDT))
>>
>> The 280A is a MV rectifier with a heater of 2.5V 3A but 280 seems to
> be 5V
>>
>>
>> >>3) From: tubecollectorsassociation at yahoogroups.com
>> [mailto:tubecollectorsassociation at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Donald
>> Daykin
>> Sent: 20 July 2007 14:54
>> To: tubecollectorsassociation at yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: Re: [TCA] 280 Rectifier
>>
>> Believe me, the 280 has a 5-volt filament. Since they need separate
>> windings, it makes no difference what the voltage is for the other
> tubes.
>>
>> >>4) 2d. Re: 280 Rectifier
>>     Posted by: "Tony" tonydaggs at comcast.net bone433
>>     Date: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:36 pm ((PDT))
>>
>>
>> http://www.nj7p.org/Tube4.php?tube=280
>>
>> Tony
>>
>>
>>
>> Brian Goldsmith.
>>
>>
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>
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