[Amps] 8877 Grid Current

[Larry P. Greenberg]

For a good number of years, I had a Henry 3K Classic export with a single 8877.  Peak power (fully tuned) occurred when the grid current was low, around 10 to 20 MA.  I recently picked up an Alpha 77DX with a single 8877.  Peak power (fully tuned) occurs when grid current is around 100 MA.  Why is there a difference in operating grid current between the two amplifiers?  What is the maximum grid current an 8877 can operate with  out destroying the tube?  

Larry, WA9MAG