The AM Forum
April 17, 2024, 10:25:51 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
 
   Home   Help Calendar Links Staff List Gallery Login Register  
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: CONDENSER Checker  (Read 11068 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
WU2D
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1800


CW is just a narrower version of AM


« on: January 16, 2010, 10:17:06 PM »

I have been on the lookout for a Capacitor checker. When an OT said that he had one for me and to drive over I assumed it would be one of those Heathkit jobs with the Magic eye.

I had no idea.

Look at this thing!

Mike WU2D


* ZM3U_Frt.jpg (437.44 KB, 2418x1920 - viewed 712 times.)

* ZM3U_Detail.jpg (836.94 KB, 3162x2514 - viewed 646 times.)

* ZM3U_CloseFrt.jpg (267.45 KB, 1785x1317 - viewed 618 times.)
Logged

These are the good old days of AM
WU2D
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1800


CW is just a narrower version of AM


« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2010, 10:20:12 PM »

I cleaned it up and brought it up slow and it looks good but I probably need a manual for this thing.

TM 5043-12 Analyzers ZM-3/U

Mike WU2D
Logged

These are the good old days of AM
WA1GFZ
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 11152



« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2010, 10:24:31 PM »

Mike's going to set up a booth at Deerfield so we can all check out condensers.
He isn't sure if he will charge by the hour or the part checked. Come one, Come all and come early.
Logged
W3UTD
Guest
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2010, 10:25:25 PM »

Wow.  But how do you check the condensers inside a condenser checker?
Logged
WU2D
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1800


CW is just a narrower version of AM


« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2010, 09:38:00 AM »

Wow.  But how do you check the condensers inside a condenser checker?

DARN!
Logged

These are the good old days of AM
WU2D
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1800


CW is just a narrower version of AM


« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2010, 09:44:54 AM »

Yes, I should check the resistors, diode (1N45) and the caps but why not see if she comes up? It is so clean that you could eat off the power transformer. Frank probably would.

OK I lubed and sprayed sockets and tested all of the tubes and put it on the variac and brought it up slow. With no manual and just a schematic, I can see that it is a bridge in the cap value mode. The VR tubes lit up which is a good sign. and the 807 regulator tube was glowing nicely.

What a bridge! Even with aged parts and being out of CAL for 30  - 40 years it measured a 27 pf NPO as 25.2 pf, 0.1 and 0.47 Yellow 630V right on the nose and even did a 150 uF Electrolytic which read high (as it probably is).   

Mike WU2D
Logged

These are the good old days of AM
W3SLK
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 2656

Just another member member.


« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2010, 10:14:55 AM »

Now that is as buzzardly and BA as one can get for a C-checker. I'm jealous Mike!  Wink
Logged

Mike(y)/W3SLK
Invisible airwaves crackle with life, bright antenna bristle with the energy. Emotional feedback, on timeless wavelength, bearing a gift beyond lights, almost free.... Spirit of Radio/Rush
Ed/KB1HYS
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1852



« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2010, 10:50:05 AM »

Any equipment with Steel Handles is Cool... but dang that is a FB piece of gear.
Logged

73 de Ed/KB1HYS
Happiness is Hot Tubes, Cold 807's, and warm room filling AM Sound.
 "I've spent three quarters of my life trying to figure out how to do a $50 job for $.50, the rest I spent trying to come up with the $0.50" - D. Gingery
Opcom
Patrick J. / KD5OEI
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 8309



WWW
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2010, 11:39:56 AM »

was made to stand up to the apocalypse!
Logged

Radio Candelstein - Flagship Station of the NRK Radio Network.
Pete, WA2CWA
Moderator
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 8162


CQ CQ CONTEST


WWW
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2010, 02:32:14 PM »

The Sprague TO series were excellent capacitor checkers. I believe the TO-6A was the last of their series. I've had a TO-6A for years and always works well. Dial calibration seems to be very accurate.

Logged

Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
w4bfs
W4 Beans For Supper
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1433


more inpoot often yields more outpoot


« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2010, 07:12:00 PM »

Wow.  But how do you check the condensers inside a condenser checker?

with another condenser checker ?
Logged

Beefus

O would some power the gift give us
to see ourselves as others see us.
It would from many blunders free us.         Robert Burns
N3DRB The Derb
Guest
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2010, 10:01:17 PM »

condenser = electrolytic and age > 30 years = change condenser.   Cheesy

that is a hell of a tester.
Logged
SA7AUY
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 15



WWW
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2010, 11:18:05 PM »

condenser = electrolytic and age > 30 years = change condenser.   Cheesy

Or reform them.
Logged

/ SA7AUY
Steve - WB3HUZ
Guest
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2010, 11:19:26 PM »

Yes, turn them into good citizens.
Logged
KB3DKS
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 180



WWW
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2010, 03:28:40 AM »

 That is an excellent tester ! I have had a couple over the years and only replaced the last one due to the size of it.
  The "test" lever should be spring loaded to keep it off when connecting the caps
and on mine I made a small latching lever so that reforming could be done.
  Had the manual at one time but think it may have went with the tester. Will have to check.
  Great find !
Bill, KB3DKS in 1 Land
Logged
SA7AUY
Member

Offline Offline

Posts: 15



WWW
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2010, 05:19:29 AM »

The manual for the ZM-3/U can be bought here: http://www.vintagemanuals.com/
The manual for Sprague can be downloaded here: http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/sprague/
Logged

/ SA7AUY
N3DRB The Derb
Guest
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2010, 11:43:56 AM »

Quote
Or reform them. 

no, no, no. n-o.


Logged
W7SOE
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 813



« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2010, 12:13:47 PM »

I thought my Sprague checker was beefy!

I think that cap checker should be mounted to the back of a jeep.

Rich
Logged
w4bfs
W4 Beans For Supper
Contributing
Member
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 1433


more inpoot often yields more outpoot


« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2010, 07:53:45 AM »

condenser = electrolytic and age > 30 years = change condenser.   Cheesy

Or reform them.
Yes, turn them into good citizens.
Quote
Or reform them. 

no, no, no. n-o.




change must come from within
Logged

Beefus

O would some power the gift give us
to see ourselves as others see us.
It would from many blunders free us.         Robert Burns
Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

AMfone - Dedicated to Amplitude Modulation on the Amateur Radio Bands
 AMfone © 2001-2015
Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines
Page created in 0.145 seconds with 19 queries.