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Message
How to test electrical tubes
Posted on 9/8/24 at 11:17 am
Posted on 9/8/24 at 11:17 am
I have about 15 electrical tubes that I found, still in the box and it looks like they have never been used.
I am thinking about selling them on Ebay but want to make sure they are functioning before I do so. How does one test these? I was thinking about going down to the K&B and using their device, then I realized this isn't 1974.
Any ideas? Or anyone know of an electronics shop around BR that might have a tester?
I am thinking about selling them on Ebay but want to make sure they are functioning before I do so. How does one test these? I was thinking about going down to the K&B and using their device, then I realized this isn't 1974.
Any ideas? Or anyone know of an electronics shop around BR that might have a tester?
5
Posted on 9/8/24 at 12:10 pm to LSUGrad9295
quote:
I was thinking about going down to the K&B and using their device
Damn, beat me to it.
Posted on 9/8/24 at 3:49 pm to LSUGrad9295
A multi meter wouldn’t work? They’re cheap.
Posted on 9/8/24 at 5:38 pm to LemmyLives
I literally know nothing about any of this.
Someone who knows a little more than me suggested that a multi meter might tell me if there is a charge, but won't fully guarantee that it works--I don't know how true this is or isn't. That's why I'm here
Someone who knows a little more than me suggested that a multi meter might tell me if there is a charge, but won't fully guarantee that it works--I don't know how true this is or isn't. That's why I'm here
Posted on 9/8/24 at 5:53 pm to LSUGrad9295
Ah. A multi meter can test a number of things. It can measure resistance, which I think is what you’re looking for. If it’s under 1.0, that means electricity flows from one point to another. The original design may anticipate resistance of .05, and if you measure a .75, it might still work, but it’s not perfect. If it measures a 1.0, the circuit isn’t complete and it’s broken.
I’ve never worked on tubes beyond the point of, “it’s screwed, I’ll get a new one,” and only in training, but the electrical norms are still the same.
I would look for the model and series number and punch them into eBay to see if it’s worth the hassle.
You could find any electronics shop to do the testing for a box of Canes, probably. Multi meters are cheap, but using one requires some basic circuit knowledge (think high school graduates a week into AIT.)
I’ve never worked on tubes beyond the point of, “it’s screwed, I’ll get a new one,” and only in training, but the electrical norms are still the same.
I would look for the model and series number and punch them into eBay to see if it’s worth the hassle.
You could find any electronics shop to do the testing for a box of Canes, probably. Multi meters are cheap, but using one requires some basic circuit knowledge (think high school graduates a week into AIT.)
Posted on 9/8/24 at 6:01 pm to LSUGrad9295
In general, the answer is you can't test them for function without a tube tester. You can check the pins for continuity. The heater pins should have continuity but in general no other 2 pins should. That is not 100% though and you would need to look up pin out diagrams for the specific tube types you have to make sure there isn't supposed to be continuity anywhere else besides the heater pins.
You should first check eBay and determine if the exact tubes you have are even worth the trouble.
You should first check eBay and determine if the exact tubes you have are even worth the trouble.
Posted on 9/8/24 at 7:25 pm to Obtuse1
quote:
You should first check eBay and determine if the exact tubes you have are even worth the trouble.
They are definitely worth the trouble--some are selling for $20 apiece.
Posted on 9/8/24 at 10:13 pm to LSUGrad9295
quote:
They are definitely worth the trouble--some are selling for $20 apiece.
Some EL34s for example are worth upwards of $300. At $20 you have to consider the eBay fees, shipping/packaging, and the possibility of breakage and/or returns since you can't test them. Vacuum tubes are finicky lil beasts.
Posted on 9/9/24 at 7:56 am to LSUGrad9295
Some of us are old enough to remember these at the local hardware store...
Posted on 9/12/24 at 3:14 pm to Lonnie Utah
quote:
Some of us are old enough to remember these at the local hardware store...
I loved when my dad would let me "operate" the tester. It was so high tech
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