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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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2nd Oct 2020, 10:26 am | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,042
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Sun Engine Analyser.
I have finally, officially, given up on this analyser. When I was given it, many years ago the multi winding mains transformer was long gone and there were various substitute ones bolted to the chassis. None of them gave exactly the right voltage but close. I got the tube voltages correct but could not get a trace or spot on the screen. Thinking this was because of a lack of final anode voltage I tried various ways of increasing this using voltage doublers etc, with no joy. I put it away for a few years. I tried resurrecting it again recently. I rebuilt the ht/eht tube supplies and compared the voltages with those required according to the tube data sheet.
I then noticed that when switching it on when warm there was a spot flying across the screen. After some thought I pulled the X and Y drive valves, (12AX7). Then when switching on ,lo and behold there was a spot. It was out of focus but bright. Adjustment of the focus and astigmatism pots brought the spot to a reasonable shape and size although still not pin sharp. I checked all the tube voltages and they were all close to the specified values. Closer inspection of the spot led me to believe that it wasn't out of focus so much as modulated. My reasoning, being that it is an electrostatic deflection tube and so has a high impedance. With the deflection valves removed the plates are floating and can pick up noise. I replaced the horizontal drive valve and powered up. There was a line in the centre of the screen. Shorter than it should be but present. The horizontal shift control moved it across the screen and it appeared to be better focussed. This proved that the tube worked and the tube voltages were somewhere near correct. However when refitting the vertical drive valve the trace disappeared off the top of the screen and nothing seemed to bring it back. The main problem, as I see it, is the -170v supply this is low at -110v although it doesn't seem to affect the x axis. The only way to prove this is to replace the transformer supplying trhe -170 (-110) supply. There is also the fact that the trace is too short and probably many other faults. So its time to call it a day and put it back under the bench. |
2nd Oct 2020, 4:47 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,194
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Re: Sun analyser
Don't give up now Malcolm, with a thing like this there is plenty of space to lash in another transformer to get the correct voltage
Ed |
2nd Oct 2020, 5:37 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,042
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Re: Sun analyser
I've not fully given up. Its still under the bench. I may drag it out again when I get bored enough and give it another go. Meantime I'll try another radio from the 'to do' pile.
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2nd Oct 2020, 9:19 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,715
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Re: Sun analyser
What's a Sun analyser, is it a spectrum analyser?
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2nd Oct 2020, 9:24 pm | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,876
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Re: Sun analyser
Petrol engine oscilloscope, delayed timing light, voltmeter, mixture meter etc combination. Direct competitor to Crypton equipment.
David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
2nd Oct 2020, 9:33 pm | #6 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Hohenroda, Eastern Hesse, Germany
Posts: 461
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Re: Sun analyser
Hello,
on the continent the Sun engine test cabinets were well known and well reputed. Bosch made some similar units, too. I've got the Bosch EFAW-110 (on the to-do pile) and the Siemens VAG 2000 (also on the to-do pile). Regards, Joe |
2nd Oct 2020, 9:43 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Culcheth, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 654
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
I think it's something to do with car engines. Seem to remember seeing one in a garage I used many years ago.
No idea what it did, but it looked impressive ! |
3rd Oct 2020, 10:27 am | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,042
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
To clear up confusion about this beast here a a couple of photos of it.
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3rd Oct 2020, 12:23 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,553
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
Those engine analysers look impressive with their big dials that can be read from the work area.
They are great fun to tinker with if you have a big workshop with room for a motor vehicle to try it out on. |
3rd Oct 2020, 1:08 pm | #10 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,876
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
They do a job and do it well. There is an element of styling and showmanship so that punters are impressed, which makes them less liable to question bills....
David (Family business had a Crypton)
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
3rd Oct 2020, 1:35 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,642
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
This one doesn't, it's a boat anchor for now...
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4th Oct 2020, 9:11 pm | #12 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Hohenroda, Eastern Hesse, Germany
Posts: 461
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
Oh, dear, now I know about the big dials!
I have always thought the dials are so big that ageing guys like myself still can read them without glasses. Which have always been left in the house. Regards, Joe |
4th Oct 2020, 9:40 pm | #13 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 329
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Re: Sun Engine Analyser.
That looks like a model QDT83. I have one of those, with a build date of January '72. I've done some work on it but the majority will be a winter project. Not applied any power yet though.....
Mark |