tubes age 113
Download a copy of the Y2K manual.
Once the nasty caps have been done and the radio tweaked, put your tubes in a
box in the closet and then quit fooling with the radio and enjoy it for many years..
There are guys on the list that have had them running for 24/7 for many
years. AS you have heard if it works don't fix it. Enjoy it. Hank
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Subject: Re: [R-390] Tube testers and other babblings
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 23:44:36 -0400
You didn't mention the model -- like "your mileage" they vary, but quite a few are
good. The last tube tester made of any (I think) was the B&K 747. Do you have
the manual including calibration instructions? Tube charts? Might help the list
assist you if you let us know on the model. May well be good enough, however,
as I recall, B&K also made some cheap emissions testers (i.e. not mutual
transconductance). If they're not already installed, you might want to chase
down some "socket savers" -- primarily for the 7- and 9- pin sockets, unless it's
one of those tester designs with multiple "quick-test" sockets of the same type.
In that case, wear may have been spread out over a bunch of the 7- and -9 pin
sockets.
> All of the tubes I have bought look new. Should I test them all? Does
> testing the tubes put wear on them?
As long as the tester is OK, not much harm in testing them all, but keeping
them on the tester too long is not a good idea. You should test just prior to use,
however, you might want to test them all so you will know how many good
tubes you actually have on hand. A few things to keep in mind:
1. Make sure the shorts lamp(s) work and always do the shorts test first and
make sure you watch and don't blink. Unless the tube is of the do-not-tap type
(like expensive 1L6's, and maybe the 26Z5W's) tap on the tube to watch for
flashes. If there is a short -- don't go any further with that tube, it may well
damage the tester. A shorted replacement tube can also damage your receiver.
2. Triple-check that you have it set to the correct filament voltage. Also a good
idea to test in order of filament voltage -- where applicable -- all the 6 volt, then
12, then whatever. In other words, don't test the 26Z5W's first and then go to
the others, if you think you might forget to flip the fil. switch.
3. Set it up to check a number of tubes of the same type, as Joe suggested, to
save wear and tear on the switches.
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