Valves - are these all crap?

[MotherSky]

I've just been given a box of valves - many boxed and unused - probably fifties vintage, mainly Mullard - I've done a quick search on some of the codes, and they mainly seem useless (Radio/TV valves) - I wondered if someone knowledgeable could cast their eye over the following list and tell me if there is anything worth finding a home for:

EF80 IT4 EB91 PY82

PL82 PY80 IS5 PY83

PCC84 PL81 EY86 PL81

EY51 6BW7 PCF80 ECL80

EF41 6AT6 EF85 ECC81

There are varying quantities of these - quite a few of some, only singles of others - I just need a pair of ECC83 (typically there is only one in this lot) and a single ECC82 (there is a pair of these) - some are clearly unused & boxed, others look as though they've been used

- any advice welcome, including "don't waste your Christmas break writing pointless posts listing valve codes"

 

[hearingisbelieving]

ECC81 aka 12AT7 have use in hifi application so dont bin them.

 

[SergeAuckland]

European valves used a convention as follows:- Valves with the first letter P, like the PCC84 are for series heaters, as was typically used in live chassis TVs of the early 60s. Anything with an E as first letter is a 6.3v heater and so of more general use.

Second letter F = small-signal Pentode, L= Power pentode, B= Diode, C= triode, Y = rectifier. Double triodes will be CC, Triode pentodes will be CF and so on.

First number, e.g. 8=B9A nine pin,

Second number, specific to the actual design of the valve, so an ECC81 and an ECC82 are both double-triodes with 6.3v heaters and B9A bases, but have different design parameters.

All the above applies to Mullard, Philips and similar european manufacturers.

GEC valves used a different method of numbering, as do American valves, but I would have to look them up as I don't remember the codes.

Of the lot you list, the ECL80 is an audio triode-pentode often used as an amplifier in old TV sets and small audio amplifiers, but unless you have a pair of them, or better still 4 of them, there's not a lot you can do with just one.

Sadly, I don't see that selection being of any great value, unless of course someone needs one to repair something that's using one.

S.

 

[Valvebloke]

You're right in saying that they're all telly or radio valves and Serge is right in saying that the ECC8x and the ECL80 can be used for audio (so, technically speaking, could the PL83, but you'd have to be quite desperate). They're not useless though. They're just not any use to you. People who restore vintage tellies and radios though would be interested in them. You could probably shift them either on this forum http://www.vintage-radio.net or on this one http://www.forum.radios-tv.co.uk. They're not worth much but you might make someone happy .

VB

 

[SergeAuckland]

You're right in saying that they're all telly or radio valves and Serge is right in saying that the ECC8x and the ECL80 can be used for audio (so, technically speaking, could the PL83, but you'd have to be quite desperate). They're not useless though. They're just not any use to you. People who restore vintage tellies and radios though would be interested in them. You could probably shift them either on this forum http://www.vintage-radio.net or on this one http://www.forum.radios-tv.co.uk. They're not worth much but you might make someone happy .VB

I think that's the most important point to take from this thread, that what's useless to one person can be gold to another. How often have we read of Quad amps or EMT turntables ending up in skips because they were of no further use? Similarly with these valves. They had a use once, so could be of use again to someone restoring old kit. They may not have much monetary value, but could make someone else very happy indeed.

S

 

[toprepairman]

The EF80 if new or at least good will be useful to someone with a Leak Troughline so don't bin that one.

 

[MotherSky]

You're right in saying that they're all telly or radio valves and Serge is right in saying that the ECC8x and the ECL80 can be used for audio (so, technically speaking, could the PL83, but you'd have to be quite desperate). They're not useless though. They're just not any use to you. People who restore vintage tellies and radios though would be interested in them. You could probably shift them either on this forum http://www.vintage-radio.net or on this one http://www.forum.radios-tv.co.uk. They're not worth much but you might make someone happy .VB

Thanks for your responses chaps - the key thing is that I don't want to throw them away - the best I'd hoped for was that someone might swap me a decent pair of ECC83s for the lot - it seems a crime to destroy unused valves that have survived this long - I shall try the forums you mention - thanks again for taking the trouble to respond so comprehensively one and all & have a jolly good Christmas

MH