The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester.

[FRANK.C]

Thanks Jim
Thats the one.

Frank

[beachgeek]

Originally Posted by G8UWM-MildMartin

I'd be happy to get a few kits of components if anyone's interested,

Hi Martin,

Would it be possible to send a kit over the pond? I am very interested. Way cool kit to make!!! Did not see anything over here like this (US).

Sorry I am an EE and not very handy with power tools, although I'm learning.

Thanks much,
Teresa

[Ed_Dinning]

Hi Teresa, if someone is putting a kit together for you I have the transformers (US 120V pri) and can send to them.
It is probably cheaper that way as our postal charges are pretty high.

Greetings from another EE, there are very many of us here.

Best regards, Ed

[swordholder]

Hi All,
It's nearly 11 months, over 450 posts and nearly 41,500 views since I ventured out on the Forum with the Sussex.
Mine is still giving stirling service, with no problems encountered to date.
How many have been built, or under construction? It would be interesting to know.

Kind Regards to All
Mike

[FRANK.C]

Hi Mike
My Sussex is still under construction, but getting close to the end. I have to sort out the valve socket panel and also an enclosure. The rest is pretty much done and tested. I will post here with photos when completed


Frank

[Nick Feakes]

Hi Martin
I would like a PCB please. How much (I will pay in GBP) including shipping to the US?
Nick (KJ4SBO)

[Darren-UK]

Ni Nick,

You're one of at least two members who've requested a PCB. As Martin's offer was now some weeks ago and he doesn't appear to have returned to this thread, it might be an idea to send him a PM (Private Message).

[Nick Feakes]

Hi Darren
Sorry to be dumb, but how do I send a PM on your site.
Nick (KJ4SBO)

[Darren-UK]

Go to any post of Martins, for example #451 of this thread, click his name on the left and select the required option from the subsequent dropdown.

[Nick Feakes]

Thank you Darren, that option was not available to me the last time I tried.
Nick

[Guitarist28]

Hi All/Mike,
I must hang my head in shame as mine is still under contruction, case and circuit built but needs to be wired up.

I really should finish this as it was first on my round to it pile!!

Regards

Rob

[G8UWM-MildMartin]

Hi All,

PM sent in response to Nick's.

Sorry I've missed the requests.

I got as far as finding sources for most components, got side-tracked by calculating heatsink sizes and looking at MOSFET substitutes, and whether to try to get some more meters, what sort of knobs, whether to order some from Taiwan, then mislaid the list...
I'll try and do something over the weekend.

I intend ordering 10 sets of electronic components and relays plus 5 sets of switches, (including one each for mine), for a start.

Regards,
Martin.

[Top Cap]

Just finished putting together a first stab of an operating manual for my Sussex VT. At least it shows what the final design looks like and how I operate it.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/lez/Sus...ssex%20VT1.doc

[Guitarist28]

Hi Les,
What a super bit of work sir - the manual is really good and very,very useful.

Many thanks

Rob

[FRANK.C]

Hi Les
Just had a read through it. Excellent work what a great reference.

Frank

[swordholder]

Les,
Very well done, must have taken ages and a lot of skill to produce.

Mike

[Top Cap]

Hi Mike, all thanks to your initial design to kick start the project off.
I must caution everyone about the constraints of using such a small case, I had to shoe horn everything in. The lucky guys in the States can get the larger Hammond case which would be a far better way to go. It would certainly allow more valve holders to be mounted but not a problem for me as my main requirements were B7G, B8G, B9A and Octal. However, the real problem with this case size is the physical size of the Transformer, it has to be mounted as far back into the rear corner as possible and even then, I had to place a precautionary insulating strip across the top edge of the laminations. But to me that's all the fun of home construction - kitchen table style!
Les

[julie_m]

Right, that's just the inspiration I need to get working on my valve tester ..... I'm deviating a little (!) from the "Sussex" design. So far I have a notebook and a half worth of scribbled notes and diagrams; well, now my money worries are over (but that's another subject) it's time to get the soldering iron warmed up

[Horris]

Mike, many thanks for the original design,Les many thanks for the updates. I will now have to find the time to finish my version of 'The Sussex'

Dave

[FRANK.C]

Just a few photos to show how far I have got.
I have wound two heater transformers to give a 0 to 120 V supply in 0.1V steps. The first one has a 110 V output and tapped every 10 V, a single pole 12 way switch is used to select the required Voltage. The second transformer has two secondary windings one giving 9 V output, taped at 5, 6, 7, and 8 volts. The other secondary giving 0.9 V output, taped at 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 volts. With these two windings together with two double pole 10 way switches 0 to 9.9 V in 0.1 V steps can be selected.

I have mounted the transformers and PCB on a base board to ease construction and servicing and used Les's idea of D connectors on the front panel.

I wanted to use it as a power supply as well so I have brought out all the supplies to 4 mm sockets on the front panel. I have changed the anode and G2 supplies to fully variable controlled by a pot and monitored by two extra meters. I also fitted a meter to the heater supply.

I intend to build a cabinet out of MDF for it with a drawer underneath for the valve sockets and pin selector switches.

Sorry about the poor quality photos.

Frank