6BK4 versus 6BK4A

[blue_lateral]

Originally Posted by Kaye-Halbert TV

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How about a 6BD4? Those are kind of rare, and are electrically the same as a 6BK4. Those seem to be in only 1955-57 color sets. They're neat looking, with a larger base than the 6BK/6EL4s. I wonder if those were even less shielded, or if they just weren't as good-working as the later tubes?

Charles

There is an article on the web somewhere (I cant seem to find at the moment) where experimenters are using 6bk4s as x-ray tubes in homemade x-ray machines. They dont work that well. the guy who wrote the article had a 6bd4, and it worked the best. Apparently the lead shielded 6bk4c is useless in this duty. They run these under completely different conditions than in a television set. I believe the formula was a whole bunch of voltage and a cold cathode.

I think the 6bd4 wont take quite as much current as a 6bk4 or 6bk4c. Since I tend to set the 6bk4 slightly hot, I would prefer a newer tube.

I think that a 6bk4 will only make little (if any) x-radiation unless the set is *broken*. 21.5KV isnt enough HV.

**edit** Found the link. I guess the best x-ray emitter ws a 6en4, not a 6bd4.

http://www.belljar.net/xray.htm

John