The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. - Page 6 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David G4EBT · 27th Jan 2010, 10:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelR

Asia Engineer on Ebay have them in stock, I ordered a set today.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=370325100729

Thanks for reading my post Mike, and for pointing me to that link.

On the strength of that, I've just ordered one.

I'm not building the Sussex (excellent though it is!), as I already have a Taylor 45A, but I needed a meter for a zener diode tester that I'm building. The backlit voltmeter I've just ordered was $9.99 US dollars (£6.99 GBP), post free from China!

The last one I bought was a 500V voltmeter for the Bygones capacitor reformer project.
(I actually bought two - I squirted more than 500V into the first one - they don't like it up 'em! 500V Max meant just that:-(

Best of luck to those who are building the Sussex!

I did say to Mike Rowe at the outset that it would attract a huge response which would gather pace. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect is the collaboration and team effort of so many people on the forum who are willing to help source components (Ed Dinning with the custom built transformer for example).

Also, those who've suggested modifications, shared ideas, drawn up the list of components, and are to actually build what is quite a challenging project, even though Mike has done all the research and development work.

I'm a bit of a test gear nut - often building little bits and bobs - home built scope, two frequency counters, (one from 1976 Radcom which used nixie tubes and still works fine up to 200MHz), waveform generators, transistor testers, ESR meter, signal injector/tracer, on with the RF Haigh Wobbulator....

At present, I'm trying to hold myself back from building yet another ESR meter just because it looks an appealing circuit, and a High Impedance Mosfet Voltmeter that I don't need,
(c 1986 PW design, 11 MOhm input impedance) just because I have a nice large 100uA analogue meter.

(It will all end up as "grandad's junk" of course!)

David,
G4EBT

MichaelR · 27th Jan 2010, 1:25 pm

I totally agree with you Dave , these group projects are absolutely "gold dust", I look forward to the future developments that will occur as people build and use them. This will be a very long life project and so it should be.

Just to let you know the Asia Engineer crew shipped straight away with confirmation, they look a very good Company.

Mike

Andymic · 27th Jan 2010, 2:37 pm

BOM Updated with information from Mike.

Also added Valve Bases.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB

BoM now posted in post #974

Jeffreyabb · 29th Jan 2010, 12:01 am

I looked at Asia Engineering 's Ebay shop to order up the 3 meters. The description for the only blue LCD meters I found, says that they require 9-12V DC or AC. Have I got the right meters and will the 6.3 V windings up to the job, even if rectified to DC?

Jeff

David G4EBT · 29th Jan 2010, 12:21 am

Yes.

The Bygones/BVWS Bull capacitor reformer project by Stef Niewiadomski did just that.

It rectified the 6.3V with a 1N4007 diode which lifts it up to about 9V. A 470uF is put across the output of the diode to deck. I'd guess that these meters probably have a voltage regulator below 9V on board anyway.

If they're similar to the ones I've had, they don't come with any instructions - just four thin wires dangling off a 4-in plug on the meter. But the red wire was supply + black was supply 0, blue was the measured voltage + and green was measured voltage 0.

I'll await arrival of the one I've ordered to see if it is any more descriptive!

Have fun.

It will be interesting to see when the Sussex testers are built and put to good use, just how many cherished valves actually turn out to be duff, and won't need to be nicely boxed or catalogued after all

David,

G4EBT

Andymic · 29th Jan 2010, 12:48 am

Ooh, perish the thought.

I think there will be alot of 'reforming' going on if that's the case.

swordholder · 29th Jan 2010, 2:10 am

The DVM modules have a full wave rectifier built into them, and work OK on 6v.
They have a regulator on board.
Regards

Mike

Jeffreyabb · 29th Jan 2010, 9:24 am

Thanks for the clarifications, I'll get the meters ordered today.
Jeff

Andymic · 29th Jan 2010, 9:51 am

Jeffrey,

I mailed the seller and got all three meters for $28.47US

Andy

Guitarist28 · 29th Jan 2010, 11:10 am

Doh!
Well done and I should have thought of that. I bought mine a seperate sales from the seller

Rob

MichaelR · 29th Jan 2010, 11:24 am

$30.97USD thorugh the website with Free postage

Mike

Andymic · 29th Jan 2010, 4:11 pm

The price I got included postage too.

I did and 'email the seller' on ebay.

julie_m · 29th Jan 2010, 5:23 pm

Is anyone else thinking of replacing the meter modules with HCPL7800s or similar, and interfacing the whole shebang to a PC?

Guitarist28 · 29th Jan 2010, 5:43 pm

No, at this stage I would just like to build as is

Andymic · 29th Jan 2010, 7:42 pm

Further updated BOM.

Nearly there.....

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB

dwhitf47 · 30th Jan 2010, 8:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed_Dinning

Hi Gents, here are some pics of the prototype transformer ready to go to Mike. It's not impregnated or over taped as it may need mods.

Few of us on the our side of the pond are here also...(USA) ED I would like a Transformer 115v-125v

and please put me down for a PCB too.
Darrell

Guitarist28 · 30th Jan 2010, 3:51 pm

Hi All
I'm currently ordering parts.
Can anyone point me in the direction of sourcing a 120k 2 watt carbon film resistor please?

Perhaps we should have agreed to bulk by resistors from Rapid online? I refuse to pay Maplins 17p each for metal film resistors!

Rob

Jeffreyabb · 30th Jan 2010, 8:17 pm

Martin
Are you taking orders for the PCB. If so, could you add me to the lost?
Thanks
Jeff

G8UWM-MildMartin · 30th Jan 2010, 9:11 pm

Jeff,
I'm going to wait until I have received and inspected the PCBs.
Should be in a couple of weeks, but I haven't had the final invoice promised this week yet...
If they're OK, I'll post pictures, price, etc.
Sorry to be so vague at the moment.
Thanks,
Martin.

Ed_Dinning · 30th Jan 2010, 9:50 pm

Hi Gents, I've had several orders for transformers and will be ordering the lams and bobbins next week, anyone else please PM me soonest.

Darrell, I can certainly do a 115/125v version for the US enthusiasts. It would possibly be best if you could get me a group order together and I can ship to one person, not sure if there would be import charges. Single items posted to the US of this weight can cost up to £30. PM me if you need more info.

Best regards, Ed

27th Jan 2010, 1:25 pm	#102
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. I totally agree with you Dave , these group projects are absolutely "gold dust", I look forward to the future developments that will occur as people build and use them. This will be a very long life project and so it should be. Just to let you know the Asia Engineer crew shipped straight away with confirmation, they look a very good Company. Mike Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 27th Jan 2010 at 6:57 pm. Reason: Quote removed - not needed.

27th Jan 2010, 2:37 pm	#103
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. BOM Updated with information from Mike. Also added Valve Bases. http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB BoM now posted in post #974

29th Jan 2010, 12:01 am	#104
Jeffreyabb Pentode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Durham, UK. Posts: 165	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. I looked at Asia Engineering 's Ebay shop to order up the 3 meters. The description for the only blue LCD meters I found, says that they require 9-12V DC or AC. Have I got the right meters and will the 6.3 V windings up to the job, even if rectified to DC? Jeff

29th Jan 2010, 12:21 am	#105
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,570	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Yes. The Bygones/BVWS Bull capacitor reformer project by Stef Niewiadomski did just that. It rectified the 6.3V with a 1N4007 diode which lifts it up to about 9V. A 470uF is put across the output of the diode to deck. I'd guess that these meters probably have a voltage regulator below 9V on board anyway. If they're similar to the ones I've had, they don't come with any instructions - just four thin wires dangling off a 4-in plug on the meter. But the red wire was supply + black was supply 0, blue was the measured voltage + and green was measured voltage 0. I'll await arrival of the one I've ordered to see if it is any more descriptive! Have fun. It will be interesting to see when the Sussex testers are built and put to good use, just how many cherished valves actually turn out to be duff, and won't need to be nicely boxed or catalogued after all David, G4EBT

29th Jan 2010, 12:48 am	#106
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Ooh, perish the thought. I think there will be alot of 'reforming' going on if that's the case.

29th Jan 2010, 2:10 am	#107
swordholder Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Preston, Sussex Posts: 162	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. The DVM modules have a full wave rectifier built into them, and work OK on 6v. They have a regulator on board. Regards Mike

29th Jan 2010, 9:24 am	#108
Jeffreyabb Pentode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Durham, UK. Posts: 165	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Thanks for the clarifications, I'll get the meters ordered today. Jeff

29th Jan 2010, 9:51 am	#109
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Jeffrey, I mailed the seller and got all three meters for $28.47US Andy

29th Jan 2010, 11:10 am	#110
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Doh! Well done and I should have thought of that. I bought mine a seperate sales from the seller Rob

29th Jan 2010, 11:24 am	#111
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. $30.97USD thorugh the website with Free postage Mike

29th Jan 2010, 4:11 pm	#112
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. The price I got included postage too. I did and 'email the seller' on ebay.

29th Jan 2010, 5:23 pm	#113
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Is anyone else thinking of replacing the meter modules with HCPL7800s or similar, and interfacing the whole shebang to a PC? __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

29th Jan 2010, 5:43 pm	#114
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. No, at this stage I would just like to build as is

29th Jan 2010, 7:42 pm	#115
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Further updated BOM. Nearly there..... http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB

30th Jan 2010, 3:51 pm	#117
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi All I'm currently ordering parts. Can anyone point me in the direction of sourcing a 120k 2 watt carbon film resistor please? Perhaps we should have agreed to bulk by resistors from Rapid online? I refuse to pay Maplins 17p each for metal film resistors! Rob

30th Jan 2010, 8:17 pm	#118
Jeffreyabb Pentode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Durham, UK. Posts: 165	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Martin Are you taking orders for the PCB. If so, could you add me to the lost? Thanks Jeff

30th Jan 2010, 9:11 pm	#119
G8UWM-MildMartin Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 822	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Jeff, I'm going to wait until I have received and inspected the PCBs. Should be in a couple of weeks, but I haven't had the final invoice promised this week yet... If they're OK, I'll post pictures, price, etc. Sorry to be so vague at the moment. Thanks, Martin.

30th Jan 2010, 9:50 pm	#120
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,010	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Gents, I've had several orders for transformers and will be ordering the lams and bobbins next week, anyone else please PM me soonest. Darrell, I can certainly do a 115/125v version for the US enthusiasts. It would possibly be best if you could get me a group order together and I can ship to one person, not sure if there would be import charges. Single items posted to the US of this weight can cost up to £30. PM me if you need more info. Best regards, Ed