Vacuum Lamp (6D3S) data? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: war4peace
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 08:02:52 am
content: Hi everyone,I am a true electronics beginner, I know some of the basics and that;s pretty much it, so be gentle with me, pleaseA DYI project that I recently started is a Steampunk weapon. Of course, it's not a real weapon, but something I am making for looks and fun. Anyway, I went to a thrift market yesterday and bought two identical vacuum tubes which I intend to use for visual appeal only inside the weapon. They don't have any other use except light up and look pretty.After getting back home I started researching the vacuum tubes, and found that the information about them is nearly nil. The code on the lamps is in Cyrillic but in Latin letters it is "6D3S-E". The Interwebz sent me to this page (http://tubes.homeunix.com/spislamp.php) which showed the code "6D3S" to belong to a vacuum tube produced by ELECTRO HARMONIX (USSR). No other information was provided anywhere else.A photo of one of the tubes:https://photos.app.goo.gl/SMuwoXFe22xyNvmR6Code is 6D3S-EBelow is the number 0384On the other side of the glass cylinder there are other markings, as belowCode:QTK (or OTK) 2III 84The second lamp is similar, except all markings are on one side:Code:6D3S-EIV 69They both have a 6-pin pinout, with a center rod with an insert guidance on it.As stated above, their only purpose would be to light up and look pretty on the weapon. What I would like to know is how to physically connect them to power, which voltage should I use (my research says they take 6V) and how many amps would they require. I have a 12V 4A DC transformer which I could attach a resistor to and output 6V to the vacuum tubes if need be. Another question would be: how do I know the tubes are in working condition? From what I've read, a giveaway sign is white coating, these have silver coating and don't rattle.That's where my knowledge stops being useful... so turning to the community for help.Thank you in advance for your replies!

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 12:12:08 pm
content: The first thing I would do is to check they're not worth a decent amount of money. Quite often old thermionic valves, especially those which are hard to get are expensive. If they have a decent value, sell them and buy some cheaper ones.Find the heater connections, using a resistance check, connect it to a variable supply and slowly increase the voltage, until the filament glows a nice orange colour. Ideally you should source a suitable power supply with a similar voltage. Using resistors isn't ideal because you'll need to measure the current, as the resistance measurement of the filament, when cold, will be much lower, than at the working temperature.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 12:57:38 pm
content: If you're talking about using two of them and you have a 12V transformer, just put the two filaments in series.P.S. I think the reference designator is 6P3S-E, and Silver coating (getter) is what you want.@Zero999: They're former Soviet Beam Tetrodes, very cheap on ebay (read excellent value!).

author: war4peace
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 04:33:30 pm
content: Quote from: Zero999 on February 28, 2020, 12:12:08 pmI understand what you are saying, however my issue is I can't identify them. If I can't identify them, I can't check whether they are valuable or not.Quote from: Zero999 on February 28, 2020, 12:12:08 pmSince I am a total newbie, I will have to research how to do that, but thanks for the advice, it's a good point to get me going.Quote from: Gyro on February 28, 2020, 12:57:38 pmThank you, I have foundthis linkdetailing the 6P3S-E, still trying to figure out how to connect it to just make it glow without anything else. Also found infohere.I paid 12 bucks for both of them, FYI.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 05:23:48 pm
content: The filament pins are 2 and 7. The base is an Octal (8 pin) plug. Looking at the bottom, he little tab on the centre plastic rod marks the gap between pins 1 and 8, with pin 1 being clockwise.Your valves probably don't have all pins fitted, but the angular position numbers are always the same, so filament pins 2 and 7 will be the second position each side of the tab.You paid at, or maybe a bit above, market value.

author: war4peace
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 05:55:54 pm
content: This is exactly what I needed, thank you so much!And I apologize for being such a newbie, it's my first time dealing with these kind of things.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 06:35:01 pm
content: We all started somewhere. Don't forget to post a picture.

author: war4peace
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 07:30:00 pm
content: I will post pictures, but I just got started, the end result is months away. Right now the design phase is nearly complete, and I am buying parts and components, will order a 3D printer in a month or so, then the real work will start.