VINTAGE TUBE REPLACEMENTS

                 
         
THE FOLLOWING TUBES ARE AVAILABLE IN ANY QUANTITY

 WD-11, older version.  Larger diameter bulb, evacuation tip, same base. -$30.00

WD-11, older version, silver plated -$35.00

WD-11, with evacuation tip, silver-plated glass, same filament current allows use of existing rheostat. Can't be told from the original - $30.00.

WD-11, without external evacuation tip - $30.00.

WD-11, clear glass, with evacuation tip - Looks like WD-11 except has glass over the active elements - $30.00.

WD-11, base and glass only,  to roll your own, without 5676 tube.  $5 less than the above mentioned prices.

864 Kit available to replace the WD-11.  Includes the adaptor; new base, new socket.  Tube not included.  Stands 4" tall including the adaptor.  $15.00

Note:  Here is a spec sheet for the 864 so that you may evaluate the suitability of this replacement for your application.

Note:  The WD-11  replacements are made using a subminiature tube inside a glass replica of the original envelope.  These are not solid-state devices and should work properly in most any set.  Here is a spec sheet for the 5676 tube used in these replacements.  

The WD-11 replacement requires a 22-ohm 1/2 w resistor wired in PARALLEL for exact-replacement filament operation so that an existing rheostat will function normally.




3D6 kit available to replace WD-11.  Includes an adaptor, new base, ceramic loctal socket and the tube. Stands 3-1/4" tall including the adaptor. - $16.00 postpaid.

3D6 Tube only. - $5.00

Note:  Here is a spec sheet for the 3D6 so that you may evaluate the suitability of this replacement for your application.

#199  base only for rolling your own - Comes with long pins which can be cut off for short-pin use. -  $10.00.  Base plus glass - $16.50


'01A old glass, old base, grain-of-wheat bulb lights envelope.  New 1.5 volt  filament acorn tube hidden in base.  Looks and acts just like an original at close to the cost of a used tube. - $20.00.

'01A as above with blue or brown glass.  Availability is limited and sporadic.  Please inquire -  $25.00

Note:  The 01A replacements use a 958A tube internally.  Spec sheet can be found here to determine if this suits your application..



Here's a technique for do-it-yourselfers...
THIS METHOD WILL REMOVE GLOBE FROM THE BASE OF A DEAD 4 PIN TUBE LEAVING THE BASE AND GLOBE USEABLE.  DO NOT TRY TO SHORT CUT STEPS.

FILE THE SOLDER FLAT ON ALL FOUR PINS SO AS TO MAKE A PLACE FOR THE DRILL BIT TO SEAT PROPERLY.

DRILL DOWN THE CENTER OF ALL FOUR PINS WITH A 5/64" BIT.  DRILL THE LARGE PINS WITH A 1/8" BIT.

PUT THE TUBES IN A PAN AND FILL WITH WATER.  IT WORKS BEST IF THE TUBES FILL THE PAN LEAVING ONLY ENOUGH ROOM FOR THEM TO REMAIN UPRIGHT.  PUT THE PAN ON THE STOVE AND SET THE HEAT AT MEDIUM, LEAVE THEM FOR AN HOUR OR SO.

TWIST THE GLOBE/BASE TO BREAK THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TWO AND PULL APART. WITH A SHARP KNIFE CLEAN THE ADHESIVE OUT THE BASE.  WITH LONG NOSE PLIERS BREAK THE EVAUATION TUBE FROM THE GLOBE. WITH
SMALL DIAGONAL PLIERS CUT THE LEAD WIRES AT THE SEAL, BEND ANY SURPLUS  BACK ON ITSELF.

DRILL A 5/64" HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE BASE, FOLLOW THIS WITH A 1/4" BIT.

SOLDER WIRE ON THE PINS OF AN 958A (OUTSIDE PINS ONLY) AND SOLDER THE 5/8" LEADS OF A SUBMINIATURE LIGHT BULB TO THE OUTSIDE PINS OF THE SIDE WITH THREE PINS.

FEED THE WIRE OF THE THREE PIN SIDE OF THE 958A TO THE  LARGE HOLES, THE REMAINDER IN THE SMALL HOLES. POSITION THE LAMP AWAY FROM THE WALL OF THE BASE.

SOLDER THE WIRES IN THE TUBE PINS, CUT OFF ANY EXCESS, ATTACH THE GLOBE TO THE BASE WITH HOT GLUE.

 YOU NOW HAVE A 1 1/2 VOLT '01A.
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WD-11 Round Globe -  2" in diameter, 3" height not including pins.  Electrically identical to a WD-11 using a 5676 tube internally.  Use as a replacement for Western Electric round 'tennis ball' tube.  Cut off pins as necessary to simulate short pins.  $30.00

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1L6 REPLACEMENT for Zenith, RCA. Works as well, costs far less, new tube and adaptor - $18.00.
The adaptor only can be purchased for only $10.00
Note:    I have a variation which fits the Hallicrafters and fits the RCA 500 and 600 models also.  It measures 3-1/8" above the chassis as opposed to 3-5/8" for the older version.  Check your set to confirm before ordering.   Here is a link to the spec sheet for the 1LA6 used in this replacement.

1T4  Great for homebrew projects such as regenerative radios.  New original tubes - $3.00.


6E5/6G5/6U5/6T5 REPLACEMENT, this is a new 1629 along with an adaptor to run it from 6.3 volts. Normal appearance, full brilliance. The adaptor is the size of the tube and adds 1 3/4 inches length, the existing cable will still work. Both the new tube and the adaptor - $27.00.   Adaptor only - $14.00

Spec sheet for the 1629.


EYE TUBE ADAPTER - Ready-made adapter for using a 1629 tube in place of the 6E5, etc.  Comes all connected with an 18" long cable, tied with lacing.  Includes a voltage doubler and a 1 Megohm-1 watt resistor.  Includes everything necessary.  Just hook it up in place of the original cable. - $14.00



                  

#10 Tube Replacement.  Tube and adaptor works just like original - $20.00

#45 Tube Replacement. Tube and adaptor works just like original - $20.00.

#50 Tube Replacement. Tube and adaptor works just like original - $20.00.

The 10 and 45 replacements utilize a 1619 tube.  Spec sheet can be found here.  The 50 replacement now uses a 6L6GB type of tube.  Spec sheet for the 6L6GB.

                       

6L6GB - This is a Russian made version of the popular American tube.  This is the GB version so it will be equally at home in your stereo or any receiver.  I have started using them as the active element in the #50 replacements that I make. - $9.00.


* * *  SOLID-STATE RECTIFIERS * * *


   

SS 35Z5 - Comes as shown as a  replacement for the 35Z5.  Has internal resistors to allow for direct replacement in series string sets and to provide the dial lamp tap. - $14.75

SS 5Y3 - This device can be ordered as a replacement for 5Y3, 5R4, 5U4, 5V4, 5W4, 5Z4, 6W6, 6AX4, 6X5, 6ZY5, 0Z4, 0Z4A.  Comes in the package shown.  Each of these has a series resistor as required for typical service - $14.50

SS 80 - Comes as shown as a replacement for the 80, 81, 82, 83, 83V, 5Z3.  Has internal resistance appropriate for typical 5-7 tube sets. - $16.50


             

SS 117Z3 - Comes as shown above. - $14.00

SS 117Z6 - Comes as shown above - $14.50


* * * BALLAST  'TUBE'  for ZENITH * * *

50A1 EQUIVALENT -  Standard 9 pin base, glass tube body silvered, round top.  Plug-in replacement.  Reading after couple minute warmup...8.0V @ 110 V,  8.25V@ 115V,  8.45 @ 120V,   8.65 @125 AND  8.91 @130 V.  Starts below ultimate voltage and rises afterwards.  Special version also availble for under 110 volts.  - $18.00

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For additional information on the tubes being utilized here I recommend the following sites for tube specifications and data:
Frank's Electron Tube Pages   and  DuncanAmps Tube Data Sheet Locator



Click on the link to see the items offered

Glass and Plastic Dialcovers

Single-Section Electrolytic Capacitor Replacements

Multisection Electrolytic Capacitor Replacements
Components & Restoration Materials

Books & Manuals

Some photos of my radio collection

If you have plenty of time for browsing
 there are 30-odd additional pictures of
my collection at this link.

Some photos of my shop and machinery

My LUSTRON home


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Updated 29 May 2009

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