13-10-2016, 09:34 AM
Following a long, and informative discussion on the telephone last night with "Excessive Leakage," I am pleased to say that the Avo Valve tester is now fully functional!
Plug the valve in, and set the correct filament and anode volts etc. Put "Select Anode" switch to "Normal" when testing triodes or pentodes. "Set Zero" control fully clockwise and "Set mA/V" control fully anti-clockwise. Switch on. Slowly work the "Set mA/V" control slowly up to the value from the valve data book for the valve under test, whilst maintaining the meter on zero by adjustment of the "Set Zero" control. After this has been done, hold the "mA/V" switch to the left, and the valve's condition is shown.
As the valve-holder wiring is rather "dodgy," I have sent away for some flexible leads, sockets and plugs so that I can connect it to my home-made valve-holder panel. In that way, I should be able to test a very wide range of valves. I know some may find it a nuisance to have to deal with the jump leads rather than just select the valve via thumbwheels etc, but I really don't mind that.
I am really delighted with this purchase, and the general construction, and engineering employed in making it is of the highest quality. I lament very much the demise of the valve era, but am grateful that for the first 16 years of my career, when transistors, and all that followed, were still in the future, and the valve still ruled supreme!
Thanks for all your assistance, and advice.
Bob
Plug the valve in, and set the correct filament and anode volts etc. Put "Select Anode" switch to "Normal" when testing triodes or pentodes. "Set Zero" control fully clockwise and "Set mA/V" control fully anti-clockwise. Switch on. Slowly work the "Set mA/V" control slowly up to the value from the valve data book for the valve under test, whilst maintaining the meter on zero by adjustment of the "Set Zero" control. After this has been done, hold the "mA/V" switch to the left, and the valve's condition is shown.
As the valve-holder wiring is rather "dodgy," I have sent away for some flexible leads, sockets and plugs so that I can connect it to my home-made valve-holder panel. In that way, I should be able to test a very wide range of valves. I know some may find it a nuisance to have to deal with the jump leads rather than just select the valve via thumbwheels etc, but I really don't mind that.
I am really delighted with this purchase, and the general construction, and engineering employed in making it is of the highest quality. I lament very much the demise of the valve era, but am grateful that for the first 16 years of my career, when transistors, and all that followed, were still in the future, and the valve still ruled supreme!
Thanks for all your assistance, and advice.
Bob
