1-177b Tube tester - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Kevin Hoyland · 12th May 2018, 9:16 am

Hello.
This 1-177B Tube Tester came this week and I am more than pleased with it. I replaced the Capacitors and 3 Resistors. It as an 83 valve and 5X3 Valve the 2 valves are in good condition I tested them on my Avo mk2 valve tester.

Kevin.

M0FYA Andy · 12th May 2018, 9:39 am

I am always amused that in this unit the 83, a mercury-vapour rectifier, is mounted horizontally, yet the manufacturer's data-sheet for the 83 says it must always be mounted vertically, base at the bottom!
Andy

John M0GLN · 12th May 2018, 9:48 am

It's a nice looking setup you've got there, now as I had never heard of an 83 valve I looked it up on the Valve Museum website,
http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaa1212.htm
and this is some of what it said,
"The type 83 is a mercury vapour full wave rectifier. It was specified for use where a near constant output voltage was required across widely varying output currents.
Mercury vapour rectifiers are somewhat delicate. This valve has to be mounted vertically with the base at the lower end."
Now in the last photo from the position of the Yaxley type switch it would appear that yours is used in the horizontal postion, assuming of course this switch is on the front panel and it's used lying flat.
I can't add any opinions as I don't know either the valve or the tester. but I thought I'd let you know what I read.

John

You beat me to it Andy

ms660 · 12th May 2018, 9:52 am

I used to have one of those testers, good build quality, much better than the AVO I always thought.

Lawrence.

M0FYA Andy · 12th May 2018, 10:34 am

Sad to say, but American military equipment usually was of better build quality than British IMHO.

Kevin Hoyland · 12th May 2018, 11:12 am

Lawrence
You are right it is a lot better than my Avo mk2. it is of a good build quality and is made to be taken from one place to another. This Tester was made for the Military in world war 2 by several manufacturers Hickok/Triplett/Supreme/Simpson. The MX-949A/U socket adapter expands the capability of the tester.

Kevin.

mark-jacobs · 20th May 2018, 3:57 am

I came up with a SS replacement using zeners and diodes for the 83 which gives pretty much the same results as the original 83 tube without the issues of warm-up or arcing. Also a SS replacement for the 5Y3 so you just turn on the tester and go, no waiting for the valves to stabilize. I have used these designs in other Hickok valve testers, and the results are usually within a few percent over a range of tubes, there is a lot less heat generated. The decreased heater load on the transformer may be beneficial and I have yet to see an issue with the line set. The plate voltage sag is about 2-3V less under load, but this does not affect the Gm readings. Be aware that these older Hickok tube testers have a high signal voltage (5V) which is not suitable for testing small signal tubes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47uN1kjnCw

Kevin Hoyland · 20th May 2018, 8:53 am

Hello Mark.
I have looked at all 3 parts on youtube that you have put on and it is Outstanding work you have come up with. Some time back Lawrence did a Thread regarding this to see if it would work. For me I will replace the 83 with a 38 valve, I have sent to the us for two. Than You for taking the time to reply to this Thread.

Regards
Kevin.

12th May 2018, 9:16 am	#1
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	1-177b Tube tester Hello. This 1-177B Tube Tester came this week and I am more than pleased with it. I replaced the Capacitors and 3 Resistors. It as an 83 valve and 5X3 Valve the 2 valves are in good condition I tested them on my Avo mk2 valve tester. Kevin. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Kevin Hoyland; 12th May 2018 at 9:34 am.

12th May 2018, 9:39 am	#2
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: 1-177b Tube tester I am always amused that in this unit the 83, a mercury-vapour rectifier, is mounted horizontally, yet the manufacturer's data-sheet for the 83 says it must always be mounted vertically, base at the bottom! Andy

12th May 2018, 9:48 am	#3
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: 1-177b Tube tester It's a nice looking setup you've got there, now as I had never heard of an 83 valve I looked it up on the Valve Museum website, http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaa1212.htm and this is some of what it said, "The type 83 is a mercury vapour full wave rectifier. It was specified for use where a near constant output voltage was required across widely varying output currents. Mercury vapour rectifiers are somewhat delicate. This valve has to be mounted vertically with the base at the lower end." Now in the last photo from the position of the Yaxley type switch it would appear that yours is used in the horizontal postion, assuming of course this switch is on the front panel and it's used lying flat. I can't add any opinions as I don't know either the valve or the tester. but I thought I'd let you know what I read. John You beat me to it Andy

12th May 2018, 9:52 am	#4
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: 1-177b Tube tester I used to have one of those testers, good build quality, much better than the AVO I always thought. Lawrence.

12th May 2018, 10:34 am	#5
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: 1-177b Tube tester Sad to say, but American military equipment usually was of better build quality than British IMHO.

12th May 2018, 11:12 am	#6
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: 1-177b Tube tester Lawrence You are right it is a lot better than my Avo mk2. it is of a good build quality and is made to be taken from one place to another. This Tester was made for the Military in world war 2 by several manufacturers Hickok/Triplett/Supreme/Simpson. The MX-949A/U socket adapter expands the capability of the tester. Kevin.

20th May 2018, 3:57 am	#7
mark-jacobs Triode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA. Posts: 44	Re: 1-177b Tube tester I came up with a SS replacement using zeners and diodes for the 83 which gives pretty much the same results as the original 83 tube without the issues of warm-up or arcing. Also a SS replacement for the 5Y3 so you just turn on the tester and go, no waiting for the valves to stabilize. I have used these designs in other Hickok valve testers, and the results are usually within a few percent over a range of tubes, there is a lot less heat generated. The decreased heater load on the transformer may be beneficial and I have yet to see an issue with the line set. The plate voltage sag is about 2-3V less under load, but this does not affect the Gm readings. Be aware that these older Hickok tube testers have a high signal voltage (5V) which is not suitable for testing small signal tubes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47uN1kjnCw Attached Thumbnails Last edited by mark-jacobs; 20th May 2018 at 4:03 am.

20th May 2018, 8:53 am	#8
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: 1-177b Tube tester Hello Mark. I have looked at all 3 parts on youtube that you have put on and it is Outstanding work you have come up with. Some time back Lawrence did a Thread regarding this to see if it would work. For me I will replace the 83 with a 38 valve, I have sent to the us for two. Than You for taking the time to reply to this Thread. Regards Kevin.