ACH 1 valve - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

radiopotty · 17th Jan 2017, 6:26 pm

As with most of you I always have a couple of sets on the go. When stalled on radio 1 then move to radio 2.

Stalled currently on an Atwater Kent so the back came of a 1934 Siemens. seems it needs a ACH 1 valve. Not much info available on this one. Can anyone help with a British equivalent or perhaps a data sheet.

many thanks Frank

Herald1360 · 17th Jan 2017, 6:51 pm

http://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_ach1.html

Should be possible to sub if needed.

turretslug · 17th Jan 2017, 7:15 pm

As an aside, sounds interesting- could it be THE original triode-hexode, (at least in the mass-market presence sense) and something of a landmark in radio development history? The BVA got sniffy about multiple valves like this, as it dared to cock a snook at their cosy taxation scheme. That might make it relatively unusual in Britain, and they might also appeal to collectors for the "history" bit, as well as folk who actually seek to mend radios.

Hope that doesn't sound like a downer, though- as mentioned, there should be substitution possibilities.

HamishBoxer · 17th Jan 2017, 8:23 pm

There are 3 on Ebay starting at £15.75

radiopotty · 17th Jan 2017, 9:33 pm

Thank you all for your replies. Lots to think about.Seems the valve may be worth more than the set

Herald1360 · 17th Jan 2017, 9:53 pm

That's not at all uncommon. There are sets (particularly those with large power triode output valves) where just that one valve may be worth getting on for 50x the value of the set without a good one in it.

At a more mundane level, it is rarely worth replacing more than one or two valves in a multivalve set just in terms of the likely sale value of the set after repair/restoration.

Anthony Thomas · 18th Jan 2017, 9:20 pm

Hi Frank,
that ACH1 you are looking for; does it have a "7 pin" base or a side contact base because the historic radio club that I am a member of has both types listed.

Please drop me a pm if you would like me to check if they are still in stock for you.

Regards Tony.

mister valve · 13th Feb 2017, 7:30 pm

ACH 1 were made in continental Europe by a Philips subsidiary, but were not normally used in UK marketed sets. They were similar to ECH 3, except that they had a 4 volt heater. They were (as far as I know) only ever fitted on a 'Side contact' base.

the usual valve line up in that range were "ACH 1, AF 1, ABC 1, AL 4, AZ 1. (or 'ABL 1' instead of 'ABC 1 & AL 4', if its a short superhet.

I suppose the nearest equivalent valve would be 'TH4B', but you would need to make up an adaptor, as 'TH4B' has a 'B7' base. Also being a very tall (almost 'sausage' shaped) you might have cabinet height problems. Just had a thought :- the smaller Mazda valve 'TH41' with a 'Mazda octal to side contact adaptor' might do the trick.

As far as I can remember, there was no other direct equivalents to this range of valves (unless 'Tungsram' did one), but this range of valves do come up on auction sites occasionally.

Walterh · 16th Feb 2017, 1:10 pm

Hi

Had many radios in hands that used ACH1. Not one of them had a side contact version. All with the 7pin base.

Regards, Walter

17th Jan 2017, 6:26 pm	#1
radiopotty Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 20	ACH 1 valve As with most of you I always have a couple of sets on the go. When stalled on radio 1 then move to radio 2. Stalled currently on an Atwater Kent so the back came of a 1934 Siemens. seems it needs a ACH 1 valve. Not much info available on this one. Can anyone help with a British equivalent or perhaps a data sheet. many thanks Frank

17th Jan 2017, 6:51 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: ACH 1 valve http://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_ach1.html Should be possible to sub if needed. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

17th Jan 2017, 7:15 pm	#3
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,395	Re: ACH 1 valve As an aside, sounds interesting- could it be THE original triode-hexode, (at least in the mass-market presence sense) and something of a landmark in radio development history? The BVA got sniffy about multiple valves like this, as it dared to cock a snook at their cosy taxation scheme. That might make it relatively unusual in Britain, and they might also appeal to collectors for the "history" bit, as well as folk who actually seek to mend radios. Hope that doesn't sound like a downer, though- as mentioned, there should be substitution possibilities.

17th Jan 2017, 8:23 pm	#4
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: ACH 1 valve There are 3 on Ebay starting at £15.75 __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

17th Jan 2017, 9:33 pm	#5
radiopotty Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 20	Re: ACH 1 valve Thank you all for your replies. Lots to think about.Seems the valve may be worth more than the set

17th Jan 2017, 9:53 pm	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: ACH 1 valve That's not at all uncommon. There are sets (particularly those with large power triode output valves) where just that one valve may be worth getting on for 50x the value of the set without a good one in it. At a more mundane level, it is rarely worth replacing more than one or two valves in a multivalve set just in terms of the likely sale value of the set after repair/restoration. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

18th Jan 2017, 9:20 pm	#7
Anthony Thomas Hexode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ålesund, Norway Posts: 361	Re: ACH 1 valve Hi Frank, that ACH1 you are looking for; does it have a "7 pin" base or a side contact base because the historic radio club that I am a member of has both types listed. Please drop me a pm if you would like me to check if they are still in stock for you. Regards Tony.

13th Feb 2017, 7:30 pm	#8
mister valve Hexode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 311	Re: ACH 1 valve ACH 1 were made in continental Europe by a Philips subsidiary, but were not normally used in UK marketed sets. They were similar to ECH 3, except that they had a 4 volt heater. They were (as far as I know) only ever fitted on a 'Side contact' base. the usual valve line up in that range were "ACH 1, AF 1, ABC 1, AL 4, AZ 1. (or 'ABL 1' instead of 'ABC 1 & AL 4', if its a short superhet. I suppose the nearest equivalent valve would be 'TH4B', but you would need to make up an adaptor, as 'TH4B' has a 'B7' base. Also being a very tall (almost 'sausage' shaped) you might have cabinet height problems. Just had a thought :- the smaller Mazda valve 'TH41' with a 'Mazda octal to side contact adaptor' might do the trick. As far as I can remember, there was no other direct equivalents to this range of valves (unless 'Tungsram' did one), but this range of valves do come up on auction sites occasionally. __________________ If you live, the chassis was dead; if you're dead, the chassis was live !!!!

16th Feb 2017, 1:10 pm	#9
Walterh Triode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Near Bern, Switzerland. Posts: 48	Re: ACH 1 valve Hi Had many radios in hands that used ACH1. Not one of them had a side contact version. All with the 7pin base. Regards, Walter