6AF6 "Magic Eye" CRT with 6X4 Rectifier

An old 6AF6 vacuum electron tube is brought to life on the test bench. Using an isolation transformer, 120VAC is rectified using a 6X4 full-wave rectifier and 80mfd capacitor, yielding 170VDC B voltage. A 56K plate resistor limits total current. Both grids are controlled in tandem by a 0-32VDC C supply. I know focus is lousy at the end, so I'm happy to accept your donations of high-end video recording equipment for future experiments. ;-)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 6AF6
• Magic
• Eye
• CRT
• 6X4
• Rectifier

[117025]

@Hemingray I'll agree with you on that. Been there, had that happen several times.

[Hemingray]

Was never a big fan of 6X4/5 rectifiers, always seemed to like to short between plate and cathode....

[tardiveivan]

Love magic eye tubes , they were ( are ) beautiful things , pity they dont still use them, nothing else quite the same.

[6A8G]

This valve & others like it were used to help "tune in" a radio station correctly - when the eye was closed.. you were tuned in! This type has two indicator sections so it's possible to connect them (thru a suitable voltage amplifier) to an audio player & make the sections close & open in time to the music. This was also the other use to which they would have been put, in taperecorders in the 1960's 'cos they were cheaper than VU meters & had more eye appeal - kick-ass as already stated:)

John.

[fingerboy18]

@0007ManMountain That's not what it's meant for, so no.

[0007ManMountain]

cool. does it do anything for sound besides looking kick-ass amazing?

[EA78751]

looks so good

[silverbird58]

the 6af6 was accurate  good set up