Hickock has Hiccups
Bigfoot048
When I test for shorts on my old Hickok model 540 tube tester, the neon
lamp glows on several positions when I rotate the shorts switch through
it's positions. It does this with most if not all tubes that I check
for shorts. If I rotate the switch with no tube in the socket, the bulb
does not light up. This neon bulb is one of the type where only half of
the bulb can light at once or both side can light up. I have seen this
problem with other testers. This is a mutual conductance tester with
tubes 83 and 5y3.
Any ideas what is happening to cause this problem?
js
WayneJ
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> When I test for shorts on my old Hickok model 540 tube tester, the neon
> lamp glows on several positions when I rotate the shorts switch through
> it's positions.
It is normal for the lamp to flash when switching from position to
position. The lamp should be out in each position with a known good tube
and only flash as the switch is changed.
WayneJ
--
nesesu
WayneJ's comments are correct. However, there is usually a blocking
capacitor in series with the neon lamp in the tester to block the DC
that would flow on half cycles due to tube rectification, but allow AC
to flow as will happen with a short or leakage. It is likely that that
paper cap is leaky. Replace it with a good film cap of the same value
and equal or higher voltage rating.
Neil S.
Jim Mueller
Is there a capacitor in series with the neon lamp? Perhaps it is leaky
and needs to be replaced.
--
Jim Mueller wron...@nospam.com
To get my real email address, replace wrongname with dadoheadman.
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Bigfoot048
John