The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. - Page 17 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

0108vesa · 26th Apr 2010, 5:26 pm

Hi!

This is my case, some recycled device. PCB is ready made and all 5 transformers are connected. Just waiting for solution for diode / rectifier testing. Frank.C gave us excellent solution for that but with my modest skills I can't calculate, what are correct values for components...

Vesa

FRANK.C · 26th Apr 2010, 11:31 pm

Hi Vesa
You have a nice job done on the cabinet

I am progressing rather slowly with the Sussex.
I've done a little trial and error with the resistors and there values are working out at something like

5mA 100R
15mA 33R
30mA 16R
60mA 8R
120mA 4R
180mA 2.8R

It would have been easier if I just did the math's

I don't think a 1mA range is necessary. The above test were done with a low HT of just 15V as I haven't got that side of it working yet.
It will be sometime before I get mine finished.

Frank

Guitarist28 · 26th Apr 2010, 11:39 pm

Hi Vesa,
Congratulations on your case it looks good.

Regards

Rob

thor1961 · 29th Apr 2010, 6:10 pm

Here is a image of the tester based on a Hammond #1456 series enclosure, its crude at best but represents a basic layout ect... Tester Image.jpg

lioc-2413. · 29th Apr 2010, 6:16 pm

Hi Mike Brian here OAP. I saw you valve tester in the bulletin and just had to have go.
I have a question what values are the two ZDs 11&12 can't see the value but it could be my age. I see from forum you`re on to a winner good one

Many thanks Brian Smith

Guitarist28 · 29th Apr 2010, 6:16 pm

Hi Thor,
Your initial image looks good. I've had a look for a Hammond #1456 case here in the UK and I must admit (unless anyone corrects me here) I can't seem to find any for sale.

Regards

Rob

swordholder · 29th Apr 2010, 6:20 pm

Hi Thor & Rob
Thor, what a superb job, that cabinet is ideal.
Rob, this is what I had in mind, make the ends,base * back from MDF and bend the ali to the shape in the Hammond box.
Mike

thor1961 · 29th Apr 2010, 6:29 pm

Rob here is a link for Farnell UK > http://uk.farnell.com/hammond/1456pk...%231456PK4BKBU Mikes idea would be probably a better way to go, but the basic dimensions can serve as a guide ect...

duderduderini · 2nd May 2010, 1:12 pm

Greetings from DIY Audio.
This looks great. Sorry to jump in at page 17 but I believe boards might still be available?
Could Swordholder let me know if this is the case.. for private use only.
Is there a list of components needed? Australia is 240 Volts mains so I guess iron is the first thing
Many thanks and congrats on a great job
Nick

thor1961 · 2nd May 2010, 1:33 pm

Has there been any revisions or modification done to the pcb to facilitate for updates like Eds transformer, the gas test and a fan ect... If so could someone post a layout either pdf or jpg and are they available for purchase ? Thanks

swordholder · 2nd May 2010, 4:23 pm

Hi Thor.
If you look through thr posts from the beginning, there are all the details you want, includung PCBs from Martin.
If you dont understand anything, please ask.

Regards
Mike

swordholder · 2nd May 2010, 4:28 pm

Nick,
Yes as far as I know PCBs and transformer are available from Martin and Ed respectively, see previous posts (I know there are a lot to look through) but there is a great deal of information there.
The Valvetester is freely available for personal use only please, I wouldn't like it very much if commercial use was made of my design work.

Regards
Mike

thor1961 · 2nd May 2010, 5:20 pm

Swordholder, Please understand I have no commercial intention's for your extremely wonderful design ! Having looked at building a tester for over 2 yrs now, and the cost being close to $300.00 USD I simply want to construct it to the best of my ability. I had ordered a transformer from Ed which should arrive any day now, but choose to wait on the pcb till all/or if any revisions or modification's had been made. For what its worth I had probably looked at 50 plus diy based testers ! Thank-you for sharing this truly amazing design ! Thor

M0XNA Neil · 2nd May 2010, 7:37 pm

I have constructed and tested the chassis for my 'Sussex in a Suitcase' and have attached some pictures of my bench test set-up. Readings for an ECC83 are:

Va= 250V
Vg= -2.0V
Ia= 1.8mA
Gm= 2.0mA/V

Neil.

Guitarist28 · 2nd May 2010, 8:08 pm

Hi Neil,
Looks very good and functional - I bet that you are pleased with it. I wonder if you are the first to have an operational unit?

Regards

Rob

swordholder · 2nd May 2010, 8:44 pm

Neil,
Congratulations on building the Tester. I'm very pleased someone else has finished one, as you can imagine, although mine worked perfectly, it's nice for a second person to build one and confirm that mine wasn't a fluke.

Well done

Mike

M0XNA Neil · 2nd May 2010, 8:54 pm

Thanks Rob and Mike,

Because I used major components from around my garage to build it I had to make some changes to accommodate my higher HT from the transformer I found lying around. However, the HT regulation is your original design. I have built mine with separate DVMs in the lid of the suitcase so I can have four of them to also set cathode currents on the valve guitar amps I also build as a hobby.

Neil.

duderduderini · 3rd May 2010, 1:10 pm

Hi Thor
I cant find a place to pm martyn and ed.. there doesnt seem to be a pm function. I guess that being a noob here that i may not have pm priveliges
but i would like to get the boards and transformer
Thanks for your help and I promise to read the posts and of course it is for private use only....
Regards
Nick

Brian R Pateman · 3rd May 2010, 1:16 pm

Nick,

Now that you have a post approved you should be able to use the PM system (you will need to wait for the software to catch up with your post count).

Click on the user name and select "Send a private message to....".

Andymic · 3rd May 2010, 7:46 pm

For those who've come in late.
The BOM is here http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB

Good luck!!

26th Apr 2010, 5:26 pm	#321
0108vesa Diode Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Joensuu Finland Posts: 7	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi! This is my case, some recycled device. PCB is ready made and all 5 transformers are connected. Just waiting for solution for diode / rectifier testing. Frank.C gave us excellent solution for that but with my modest skills I can't calculate, what are correct values for components... Vesa Attached Thumbnails

26th Apr 2010, 11:31 pm	#322
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 732	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Vesa You have a nice job done on the cabinet I am progressing rather slowly with the Sussex. I've done a little trial and error with the resistors and there values are working out at something like 5mA 100R 15mA 33R 30mA 16R 60mA 8R 120mA 4R 180mA 2.8R It would have been easier if I just did the math's I don't think a 1mA range is necessary. The above test were done with a low HT of just 15V as I haven't got that side of it working yet. It will be sometime before I get mine finished. Frank

26th Apr 2010, 11:39 pm	#323
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Vesa, Congratulations on your case it looks good. Regards Rob

29th Apr 2010, 6:10 pm	#324
thor1961 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Binghamton NY, USA Posts: 15	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Here is a image of the tester based on a Hammond #1456 series enclosure, its crude at best but represents a basic layout ect... Tester Image.jpg Attached Thumbnails

29th Apr 2010, 6:16 pm	#325
lioc-2413. Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Skegness Posts: 2	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Mike Brian here OAP. I saw you valve tester in the bulletin and just had to have go. I have a question what values are the two ZDs 11&12 can't see the value but it could be my age. I see from forum you`re on to a winner good one Many thanks Brian Smith Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 29th Apr 2010 at 6:21 pm. Reason: E-mail address deleted - please use PM for communication.

29th Apr 2010, 6:16 pm	#326
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Thor, Your initial image looks good. I've had a look for a Hammond #1456 case here in the UK and I must admit (unless anyone corrects me here) I can't seem to find any for sale. Regards Rob

29th Apr 2010, 6:20 pm	#327
swordholder Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Preston, Sussex Posts: 162	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Thor & Rob Thor, what a superb job, that cabinet is ideal. Rob, this is what I had in mind, make the ends,base * back from MDF and bend the ali to the shape in the Hammond box. Mike

29th Apr 2010, 6:29 pm	#328
thor1961 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Binghamton NY, USA Posts: 15	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Rob here is a link for Farnell UK > http://uk.farnell.com/hammond/1456pk...%231456PK4BKBU Mikes idea would be probably a better way to go, but the basic dimensions can serve as a guide ect...

2nd May 2010, 1:12 pm	#329
duderduderini Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Albury, NSW, Australia. Posts: 2	The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Greetings from DIY Audio. This looks great. Sorry to jump in at page 17 but I believe boards might still be available? Could Swordholder let me know if this is the case.. for private use only. Is there a list of components needed? Australia is 240 Volts mains so I guess iron is the first thing Many thanks and congrats on a great job Nick

2nd May 2010, 1:33 pm	#330
thor1961 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Binghamton NY, USA Posts: 15	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Has there been any revisions or modification done to the pcb to facilitate for updates like Eds transformer, the gas test and a fan ect... If so could someone post a layout either pdf or jpg and are they available for purchase ? Thanks

2nd May 2010, 4:23 pm	#331
swordholder Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Preston, Sussex Posts: 162	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Thor. If you look through thr posts from the beginning, there are all the details you want, includung PCBs from Martin. If you dont understand anything, please ask. Regards Mike

2nd May 2010, 4:28 pm	#332
swordholder Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Preston, Sussex Posts: 162	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Nick, Yes as far as I know PCBs and transformer are available from Martin and Ed respectively, see previous posts (I know there are a lot to look through) but there is a great deal of information there. The Valvetester is freely available for personal use only please, I wouldn't like it very much if commercial use was made of my design work. Regards Mike

2nd May 2010, 5:20 pm	#333
thor1961 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Binghamton NY, USA Posts: 15	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Swordholder, Please understand I have no commercial intention's for your extremely wonderful design ! Having looked at building a tester for over 2 yrs now, and the cost being close to $300.00 USD I simply want to construct it to the best of my ability. I had ordered a transformer from Ed which should arrive any day now, but choose to wait on the pcb till all/or if any revisions or modification's had been made. For what its worth I had probably looked at 50 plus diy based testers ! Thank-you for sharing this truly amazing design ! Thor

2nd May 2010, 7:37 pm	#334
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. I have constructed and tested the chassis for my 'Sussex in a Suitcase' and have attached some pictures of my bench test set-up. Readings for an ECC83 are: Va= 250V Vg= -2.0V Ia= 1.8mA Gm= 2.0mA/V Neil. Attached Thumbnails __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

2nd May 2010, 8:08 pm	#335
Guitarist28 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hockley, Essex, UK. Posts: 575	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Hi Neil, Looks very good and functional - I bet that you are pleased with it. I wonder if you are the first to have an operational unit? Regards Rob

2nd May 2010, 8:44 pm	#336
swordholder Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: East Preston, Sussex Posts: 162	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Neil, Congratulations on building the Tester. I'm very pleased someone else has finished one, as you can imagine, although mine worked perfectly, it's nice for a second person to build one and confirm that mine wasn't a fluke. Well done Mike

2nd May 2010, 8:54 pm	#337
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Thanks Rob and Mike, Because I used major components from around my garage to build it I had to make some changes to accommodate my higher HT from the transformer I found lying around. However, the HT regulation is your original design. I have built mine with separate DVMs in the lid of the suitcase so I can have four of them to also set cathode currents on the valve guitar amps I also build as a hobby. Neil. __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

3rd May 2010, 1:10 pm	#338
duderduderini Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Albury, NSW, Australia. Posts: 2	How do I get in touch with Hi Thor I cant find a place to pm martyn and ed.. there doesnt seem to be a pm function. I guess that being a noob here that i may not have pm priveliges but i would like to get the boards and transformer Thanks for your help and I promise to read the posts and of course it is for private use only.... Regards Nick

3rd May 2010, 1:16 pm	#339
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. Nick, Now that you have a post approved you should be able to use the PM system (you will need to wait for the software to catch up with your post count). Click on the user name and select "Send a private message to....". __________________ Brian

3rd May 2010, 7:46 pm	#340
Andymic Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Harrow, London, UK. Posts: 78	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. For those who've come in late. The BOM is here http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...pfMlE&hl=en_GB Good luck!!