Paco T-60 Tube Tester

[ColourMeGone]

I have a well working Paco T-60 tube tester that has never let me down.

I have recently acquired a lot of very diverse tubes. These will all fit in various sockets on the tester but I do not have the tester settings for these tubes listed on the roll chart or in the Paco T-60 manual.

Is there any chance these tubes can be tested by the Paco or will I need to acquire a more sophisticated tester?

Thanks in advance
Eric @ ColourMeGone

[HollowState]

Originally Posted by ColourMeGone

Is there any chance these tubes can be tested by the Paco or will I need to acquire a more sophisticated tester?

The Paco T-60 you have is a very basic emission tester that was built and sold in the 1950s. In all honesty you would be better served to sell it and purchase a newer and better mutual conductance style tester. Perferably a Hickok, Tripplet or B&K Precision. Although they are usually expensive, deals can be found if you're diligent in your searching.

However, it yours has some sentimental value and you wish to keep and use it, unlisted tubes can be tested on it, but it takes some work and experimentation. Essentially what you must do is make an educated guess about it being close to a tube type that you can test as listed. Consult a tube manual or data sheet to check basic parameters and pin-out connections. Then using a known good tube, either new or tested in a known good tester, try testing it on your T-60 and see how it goes. You may have to adjust the drive/range level (knob A) and/or sensitivity (knob D) to make it read half way into the green. Also be certain to change or set the pin connections with levers C. if necessary. Knob B is the filament voltage as you probably know.

Once you have done this, note down the settings on a card or pad for future reference. I've done this sort of thing with my Hickoks quite a few times, mostly for industrial numbers. Although the Hickoks do allow for easier fudging and experimentation then the more basic testers like yours. But in the long run, if you're going to play with tubes, a better tester will prove itself worth the investment.