So just a basic question for a newbie. I have a couple of go no go tube testers which I get it, go no go. I did recently buy a Hickok 6000a which needs calibration so it is not ready to use yet but my question is, when it comes to tubes is there any way to test the quality beyond the mutual conductance reading, for example if it is "noisy"? Or is all you are testing for is shorts and strength? Sorry if this was discussed before, happy to read more if someone has the post.
Thank you!
Thank you!
I used to have a Funke W20 tester, unfortunately just too large to find a long term home for, but relied on punch cards for different tube types so that setup was straightforward. That tester did have an amplifier and headphone socket so tubes could be listened to as well.
If you are selecting tubes for critical high gain applications then I think you do have to have a way to screen for microphony and noise. If you are after a simple tester to screen twin triodes then this one from ValveWizard with a headphone amplifier maybe all you need.
In the old days you had to look out for an industrial tube tester to measure all the operating characteristics, but nowadays there are microprocessor based curve tracers around that can plot lots of permutations of data at the operating point you are interested in. If you are interested in exploring the bounds of testing then I recommend googling 'uTracer'. I built one a few years ago and it is extremely useful, as well as being compact.
If you are selecting tubes for critical high gain applications then I think you do have to have a way to screen for microphony and noise. If you are after a simple tester to screen twin triodes then this one from ValveWizard with a headphone amplifier maybe all you need.
In the old days you had to look out for an industrial tube tester to measure all the operating characteristics, but nowadays there are microprocessor based curve tracers around that can plot lots of permutations of data at the operating point you are interested in. If you are interested in exploring the bounds of testing then I recommend googling 'uTracer'. I built one a few years ago and it is extremely useful, as well as being compact.
The best valve tester is the circuit that the valve is intended to work in, a dedicated valve tester will tell you only so much.
Andy.
Andy.
That is often quoted but may be a bit glib if the tube has serious defects. Having a tube tester, especially one capable of curves, can be a useful tool.
The tester will eliminate the real clinkers, if nothing else. A tube with an interelectrode short would be caught, before it might damage what a tube with that malady is used in.