Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142, repair? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Glowpot · 22nd Dec 2014, 1:18 am

Hi, I am hoping someone can help me! I have a Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142 valve/tube tester. It was working Fine but the 9 pin (ecc83 etc.) socket became faulty. I replaced it with a new one. The problem is that everything is working fine except the grid leakage needle flies up to the end registering bad on every socket with every valve. All other test’s register correctly.
When I changed the socket one of the old pins broke off of the old socket and landed between two pins on another socket, which I found later. I think this caused it to short. I have been informed that I have a leaky socket. I don’t know what that means!
Could anybody give me some advice or better still is there any one here that services tube testers?

Thanks in advance
Paul.

Freya · 22nd Dec 2014, 11:20 am

This is quite a basic tester with a low component count, testing these components after a short would be advisable, also check the AC outputs form the transformer as it too could have been damaged although less likely.
I have included a part schematic albeit poor quality to give an idea of whats inside for others. Photo is not the actual unit.

Glowpot · 22nd Dec 2014, 12:25 pm

Thanks Stephen, that's all bit beyond my skill. I think I may need a repair man take a look at it. Are there any on here that you can recommend. I am in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire!! So the nearer the better, though I would be willing to post it as it definitely needs sorting.

Thanks

Paul

georgesgiralt · 22nd Dec 2014, 3:33 pm

Hello !
Maybe the socket you installed is not of sufficient quality. These tester are wonderful to find leakage. For this they require sockets to be free from any leakage. Otherwise they will show a short even without tube inserted.
If you used a spay cleaner leaving some residue, the punishment is the same. But you may be able to clean the residue using the proper solvent.

22nd Dec 2014, 1:18 am	#1
Glowpot Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142, repair? Hi, I am hoping someone can help me! I have a Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142 valve/tube tester. It was working Fine but the 9 pin (ecc83 etc.) socket became faulty. I replaced it with a new one. The problem is that everything is working fine except the grid leakage needle flies up to the end registering bad on every socket with every valve. All other test’s register correctly. When I changed the socket one of the old pins broke off of the old socket and landed between two pins on another socket, which I found later. I think this caused it to short. I have been informed that I have a leaky socket. I don’t know what that means! Could anybody give me some advice or better still is there any one here that services tube testers? Thanks in advance Paul.

22nd Dec 2014, 11:20 am	#2
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,991	Re: Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142, repair? This is quite a basic tester with a low component count, testing these components after a short would be advisable, also check the AC outputs form the transformer as it too could have been damaged although less likely. I have included a part schematic albeit poor quality to give an idea of whats inside for others. Photo is not the actual unit. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___

22nd Dec 2014, 12:25 pm	#3
Glowpot Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142, repair? Thanks Stephen, that's all bit beyond my skill. I think I may need a repair man take a look at it. Are there any on here that you can recommend. I am in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire!! So the nearer the better, though I would be willing to post it as it definitely needs sorting. Thanks Paul

22nd Dec 2014, 3:33 pm	#4
georgesgiralt Hexode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toulouse, France Posts: 406	Re: Sencore Mighty Mite TC 142, repair? Hello ! Maybe the socket you installed is not of sufficient quality. These tester are wonderful to find leakage. For this they require sockets to be free from any leakage. Otherwise they will show a short even without tube inserted. If you used a spay cleaner leaving some residue, the punishment is the same. But you may be able to clean the residue using the proper solvent.