[Boatanchors] Cooking in Old Transmitting tubes

[John King]

Some of you knowledgeable transmitting tube folks who might have worked in the Broadcast engineering field might be of service to me.

I have just refurbished a 1958 or so Hallicrafters HT 33A Mark I that had a Penta PL 172A transmitting in the socket when I got the amp. It is beautiful NOW and the quality of possibly 50 to 60 year old tube is unknown. I feel sure the original owner is dead because the amp looked like someone had smoked a train load of cigarettes and blew all the smoke into the fan on the amp. After two to three weeks of cleaning, it looks almost new.

My question is: It is presently getting the smoke test with filaments turned on and I plan to leave it on for a long time or until it blows a fuse. So far no smoke!!! What is the proper formula for bringing a LARGE OLD transmitting tubes up after years of non use? I have no plate voltage on it, only filament voltage and plan to leave it that way at least 12 hours or more.

I have a Eimac 8295A that I am not POSITIVE is real good but it came from a top notch Radio Tech's estate.

I have a First Phone license but was not a transmitter Engineer when I worked in Broadcast. That is why I would like to hear from someone with the background.

Thanks for your expert input and I will be listening. 73, John, K5PGW, (Old Radio Geezer"