Testing Tubes

[TZtech]

Hello All

Is there any way to test CRT tube parameters without fancy test equipment ?

Ian

[sfrench]

not sure if this info will help you or not

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/crtfaq.htm#crtsht

[TZtech]

Thanks Scott

Some good info there -  K+

Ian

[channelmaniac]

A good CRT tester/rejuvenator can be found for under $150 with lots of adapters.

B&K 467, 470, 480, or 490 are good models to get.

Stay away from the old stuff... B&K 465 and older are ones to avoid...

Unsure on other brands as what to get/avoid. Other members here may have an idea for you on that.

Oh, and it's easy to build adapters for CRTs on the B&K units. CR-23 and CR-32 are 2 common ones you want to have come with your machine but if they don't and it's a cheap price then just build it. All you need is a spare neck board, wire, and a molex connector. Cut the neck board away around the socket and then use a grinding tip to separate any traces connecting pins together. Once done then wire it up to the molex connector.

These testers will not only test for shorts but also can be used to try and burn through shorts. They can also show you emissions ratings for tubes and let you try to rejuvenate weak tubes.

RJ

[TZtech]

Hello RJ

Cool - I had the Sencore CR7000 at my previous job but never really got round to utilizing it properly - Have also heard recomendations form other guys on the BK units.
Have been keeping an eye on EBAY and there are tube testers and signal generators going for very good prices (A sencore CM2125 recently sold for $150). Problem is most of these bargains are US shipping only.

Ian

[TZtech]

Hi All

Any thoughts on the B&K 466 - http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Tube-tester-and-re-juvenator-466-W-all-manuals-/220668104006?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3360d80d46

Regards
Ian

[channelmaniac]

No.

The 467 is the minimum you want.

[a69mopar]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160486467822&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:US:1123

here is one for $10 on ebay.

W

[stayouttadabunker]

Has any member actually tried these?
Do they eliminate screen burn-in?

[TZtech]

Hi

Thanks for the advice and heads up.
No these wont elliminate burn in - They do however rejuvinate tubes that have become very dim but there are no guarantees on how long it will prolong tube life.
There is another 467 on Ebay right now and seller will ship internationally so will see what happens. Looks to be in excellent condition.

Ian
 

[StatFreak]

Buzz, I was thinking you should get one of these for future use. It's a lot less expensive than a drive out to Joey's.

[TZtech]

Hi All

Another problem I will have is if I do win this bid - We operate on 220v 50Hz. Something this old probably does not have auto switching SMPSU powering it. Its easy enough to get a transformer to drop to 110 but I am concerned about the frequency difference. Does anyone that has one of these maybe got a schematic for it ?

Ian

[channelmaniac]

Can't find the schematics offhand so I can't tell you.

I did find this: http://www.bkprecision.com/support/downloads/pdfs/CRT_Setup_Chart.pdf

You'll find that helpful.

CR-23 and CR-31 are the 2 adapters that you'll use the most.