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Old 3rd Apr 2014, 6:53 am   #1141
giulio.coslo
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Hello.

I have some questions.

The first is for Frank.C:In your realization which size of meters did you use? Like the manual for gm, anode mA and Grid V (so 200mVAC, 200mVDC and 200VDC) for the heater voltage you used 200VAC (or less?), 500VDC for anode and screen voltage. Correct?

The second question is for everyone who can answer:

On the Giorgio11 eBay shop page there aren't anymore the 200mVAC LCD meters. Has someone another place where I can buy them?

Thanks to everyone.
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Old 3rd Apr 2014, 3:34 pm   #1142
KeithsTV
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Manual progress update.

I have completed the manual and it is now out for checking. No matter how many times you read and re-read it there's always one more error.

Once the checking has been completed I'll release it to the forum. I hope that will be early May.

If anyone is going to Golborne this weekend and would like a preview of the draft manual I'll have a copy with me. I'll have my avatar badge on so shouldn't be too difficult to spot.

Keith
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Old 3rd Apr 2014, 4:35 pm   #1143
mole42uk
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Quote:
Originally Posted by giulio.coslo View Post
Hello.

On the Giorgio11 eBay shop page there aren't anymore the 200mVAC LCD meters. Has someone another place where I can buy them?

Thanks to everyone.
Just do a search on ebay for 200mV AC blue meters, there are several Chinese vendors.

Richard
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Old 3rd Apr 2014, 4:43 pm   #1144
FRANK.C
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Quote:
Originally Posted by giulio.coslo View Post
Hello.

The first is for Frank.C:In your realization which size of meters did you use? Like the manual for gm, anode mA and Grid V (so 200mVAC, 200mVDC and 200VDC) for the heater voltage you used 200VAC (or less?), 500VDC for anode and screen voltage. Correct?
Yes you are correct 200VAC for heaters and 500VDC for Anode and Screen voltages, the other meters were as in the original.

Frank
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Old 8th May 2014, 10:53 pm   #1145
KeithsTV
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Latest update on the manual.

A couple of forum members have proof read it so I'll be giving it a final check before releasing it. It's in pdf form but it exceeds the forum file size so I'll split into several parts before posting it.

I'm going to NVCF on Sunday and will have a copy with me so if anyone wants a preview I'll be there between about 10:30 and 2pm wearing my avatar badge.

Keith
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Old 9th May 2014, 7:38 am   #1146
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Can't an exception be made for the file size of this manual, rather than splitting it.
Mike
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Old 9th May 2014, 8:16 am   #1147
KeithsTV
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

I have tried to reduce the size by compressing the pictures but it's still over the 1.9MB limit.

Perhaps a mod would like to comment on whether it is possible to post the file, it's about 4MB, as a single file rather than as 4 parts.

Keith
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Old 9th May 2014, 9:37 am   #1148
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

If you can send me the manual by email or Dropbox I will upload it and post a link. This project does deserve an exception.

I'll PM you my email address.
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Old 9th May 2014, 10:13 am   #1149
KeithsTV
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Thanks Paul

Keith
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Old 13th May 2014, 8:49 pm   #1150
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

I've just sent the full manual to Paul along with some notes on printing it out.

No matter how many times you check it or get others to check it there's always one more error as I found out this evening just as I was ready to send it.

Should there be any further errors, modifications or updates to the circuit let me know and I'll produce a second edition at a later date.

To whet your appetite here are a couple of pictures of the finished manual.

Keith
Attached Thumbnails
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ID:	92908   Click image for larger version

Name:	Sussex Manual2.jpg
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Old 13th May 2014, 8:51 pm   #1151
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Excellent, looking forward to downloading it.

Thanks
Mike
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Old 14th May 2014, 8:03 am   #1152
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Proof reading a document and commenting on it will always be under the influence of Muphry's law : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muphry's_law
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Old 14th May 2014, 12:04 pm   #1153
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

I stood next to Keith in the queue at the NVCF on Sunday and had the privilege of having a quick read through the handbook that he's put together. A real labour of love on Keith's part - countless hours of work involved - very comprehensive, neatly laid out with several fold-out pages. It doesn't just cover the 'Sussex' but includes additional well illustrated information by Keith on valve theory. I'm sure that it will not only prove to be an invaluable reference document for builders and users of the 'Sussex' but will be of general interest to many others.

Also, it's a very fitting tribute to the late Mike Rowe [AKA 'Swordholder'] who - back in December 2009 when he posted details of his homebrew valve-tester - could never have imagined the interest that it would generate, with almost 1,200 posts to the thread to date and almost 212,000 views. I doubt we'll ever know how many constructors have embarked on building a 'Sussex' and I dare say that many more have been started than have been finished, but Keith's comprehensive booklet might just be the catalyst to spur on the completion of those part-built units which are 'work in progress'!
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Old 14th May 2014, 12:41 pm   #1154
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Flattery will get you anywhere David It's taken about 5 months to put together, mainly at lunchtimes at work plus a lot of hours were spent on producing the valve plots used in the valve theory section. It would probably have taken less time if I hadn't had a few interruptions such as decorating a bedroom, sorting out cars for kids and about two weeks off work due to a bout of food poisoning.

I'm sure there will be corrections needed but I'll wait a few months before releasing any updates. That will give me time to prepare the November Golborne talk and help my brother refit our bathrooms.

I'd like to thank all of those people who have contributed in one way or another to the manual project and look forward to seeing more reports of completed Sussex testers in the near future.

Keith
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Old 14th May 2014, 2:09 pm   #1155
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

The complete manual is here https://www.vintage-radio.net/attach.../sussex-v1.zip - size 4MB.

The ZIP file includes a second document with details on how to print the manual.

I have added the above link to post #1. Does this supersede the other links we have added to that post?
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Old 14th May 2014, 3:24 pm   #1156
KeithsTV
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Effectively it does as the manual contains all of the information in those links.

Keith
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Old 8th Jun 2014, 7:23 am   #1157
G4YVM David
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

This is a fabulous piece of kit. I haven't built one yet but I shall; but regardless of that its a F.A.B bit of homebrew. Well done.
D
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Old 8th Jun 2014, 8:32 am   #1158
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

For a long time I've said that Heathkits have always had the very best construction manuals of all kits.

I'm going to have to revise that statement, now.

David
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Old 1st Aug 2014, 6:58 pm   #1159
Ed_Dinning
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

Hi Gents, I was recently approached by a forum member to build a "beefed up" transformer to allow testing and soaking of high power valves with the Sussex.
This tester has been completed and is operating successfully, but the transformer is pretty massive!

Ed
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Old 1st Aug 2014, 8:31 pm   #1160
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Default Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

And so it should be! After all it has to power the biggest valve that will ever be plugged into it, and take it to the top of its characteristic: max voltage or max current or max wattage for the valve. Remembering that the power dissipated in the tester isn't the same as that in the valve.

I see it that the AVOs are underweight. Once you get above a modest power valve, all the VCMs cease to be characteristic meters and function as mere testers.

David
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