A.T.20 (A.T.20) versus D404

 The AT20 triode and the D404 share the same base-connection, B4, like most old european triodes.

The D404, made by Philips, is a 10 watts audio-amplifier, heater voltage 4 volts, anode voltage 250 volts, while the AT20 is a 20 watts transmitting valve, heater voltage 6,3 volts, anode voltage 500 volts.

These data are stated in Brands radio-tubes vademecum, 17th. edition.

In my opinion the D404 should not be listed as a replacement for the AT20, nor does Brands equivalent radio tubes vademecum, 13th edition

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Hello Jan,

I agree with you, to recomment the 10 watts D404 as a replacement for the 20 watts AT20 is a bad advice, hence I removed the D404.

The BABANI tube encyclopaedia says 6 volts, 1 A as heater ratings. 6.3 volts was never used by European B4 tubes.

Best Regards, Jacob
 

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Dear Jacob,

You are absolutely right about the heater voltage of 6 volts.

I am sorry, the Avo-Valve-Data-Manual ed. 21, that I used to test the AT20,  states the 6,3 heater volts

Thanks for your correction.

Jan Terranea

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However a "6V" tube for Lead Acid Battery is really  about 5.5V to about 6.8V operation. The 6.3V figure is derived as a nominal valuse for an in use Lead Acid Battery (perhaps in a car) not fully charged. 2V, 4V or 1.4V tubes similarly in use had an operational range, About 1.55V down to 1.1V for a 1.4V tube, though fresh with no load a Zinc cell may be over 1.6V it drops sharply. Similarly it drops quickly from 1.1V to the "official" completely discharged 0.9V. In practice only HT packs could usefully run from nearly 100V  to about 55V (90V) or nearly 134V to  72V (120V).

The very oldest "6V" radio sets used approximately 5V tubes with filament rheostats. Later 2V, 4V and 6V tubes (1926? or 1927 onwards dull emitter/oxide) designed to run direct from Lead Acid Accumulator cells, but not usually on float charge  unlike 1950s Battery/Mains with NiCd. (i.e. DEAC NiCd 1.2V nominal is conveniently  1.4V approx on trickle charge as a mains regulator but a Lead Acid cell voltage rises too high usually when fully charged).

So are there any "really" 6V valves/tubes?  What is the tolerance?

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