Absolutely essential test equipment.

[Findm-Keepm]

Originally Posted by Jon A.

My arsenal thus far:

Fluke 8024B DMM (Had my name written all over it... well, actually my month and year of birth are in the instruction manual I downloaded, close enough)
EDS 88A ESR/DCR meter
Zenith 852-120 50Kv HV probe
Zenith 852-240 ultrasonic remote tester
A cheapie 15/30w soldering iron that I really need to get a replacement for. Got that before I got into TVs.

Does your ultrasonic remote tester have the mod to test IR remotes and System 3 drive signals? Zenith went all out with mods to the '240, with neat little articles among their service lit showing how to use it for just about everything. We had a Ziploc style bag with all of the addons for checking horiz drive, vertical drive, and some other checks that involved resistors clipped into the circuit, with the '240 attached in parallel to one of the resistors. I'll di around and see what I can find.

The IR mod added a IR diode, and you drilled a hole in the case to accommodate the diode. The drive mod added two leads and the leads came out of the case through the ultrasonic mic slats cut in the case. The rest of the "mod" parts were external - mostly resistors and a cap or two for coupling. Zenith really liked to add tasks to the remote checker. GE had a similar bitch box for checking their sets - dropped it's use entirely after the MA/MB chassis sets. I used it to check B+ right up into the 2000s. Really neat little testers...

Cheers,

[kcvet]

a metered variac. saved all those new parts from blowing up. I to have a simpson 260

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by Findm-Keepm

Does your ultrasonic remote tester have the mod to test IR remotes and System 3 drive signals? Zenith went all out with mods to the '240, with neat little articles among their service lit showing how to use it for just about everything. We had a Ziploc style bag with all of the addons for checking horiz drive, vertical drive, and some other checks that involved resistors clipped into the circuit, with the '240 attached in parallel to one of the resistors. I'll di around and see what I can find.

The IR mod added a IR diode, and you drilled a hole in the case to accommodate the diode. The drive mod added two leads and the leads came out of the case through the ultrasonic mic slats cut in the case. The rest of the "mod" parts were external - mostly resistors and a cap or two for coupling. Zenith really liked to add tasks to the remote checker. GE had a similar bitch box for checking their sets - dropped it's use entirely after the MA/MB chassis sets. I used it to check B+ right up into the 2000s. Really neat little testers...

Cheers,

Oh wow, and I only got it as a supplement to my ultrasonic remote collection and because I had never seen one before. The only mod done to this unit is a notch cut in the case that brings the battery connector to the outside. This was done by the previous owner.

[zenith2134]

I have found that the model-specific and chassis-specific service literature is invaluable with vintage TV and audio gear.
Instead of spending a great deal of time troubleshooting by taking voltages or injecting signals or tracing circuitry, you can really pinpoint a problem in a short amount of time regardless of skill level. Things such as I.F. alignment are virtually impossible without the SAMS or equivalent. Same goes for setting convergence/purity although this of course can be 'winged' so long as you've got the proper test gear.
Most of all, I'd say that my external degauss coils, and marker/generator are my most used test equipment. Besides simple tools such as multimeter, HV probe, hand tools etc.
You know what is really nice to have? a variable voltage supply capable of supplying many amps of current. I built one into my test bench area and have used it a lot.