Sencore Variable Isolation Transformer & Safety Analyzer - PowerRite II # PR570

[footlooseman]

I was talking with my co-worker who used to repair TVs in the 80s and 90s about my TV and Radio repair projects.

He asked if I had a Isolation Transformer and as of yet, all I got is a variac. He's offering a Sencore Variable Isolation Transformer & Safety Analyzer PowerRite II # PR570 but hasn't give a asking price. He was joking about them going for $400 but he not looking for that. I don't want to insult him with too low of an offer but what do you guys think would be a fair price?

[bandersen]

I think I paid around $75 for mine. It's missing the leakage probe but otherwise works well. They are very nice devices to have

[vts1134]

Originally Posted by bandersen

I think I paid around $75 for mine. It's missing the leakage probe but otherwise works well. They are very nice devices to have

$75 that's a great deal! I can't remember what I paid for mine although I'm certain it wasn't as low as $75 or as high as $400. I love my unit and don't regret buying it at all.

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by bandersen

I think I paid around $75 for mine. It's missing the leakage probe but otherwise works well. They are very nice devices to have

Ha, I wonder how many here actually got one with the probe.

Spending a considerable chunk of change is fine for a quality item that you'll probably have for a lifetime. I noticed that sellers of 570s tend to ask a lot more than those with 57s, and I don't think the extra features are worth paying for.

[zeno]

They seem to be going in the $400 range. You
would be saving him a lot of grief so I would go
$300 tops if COMPLETE.

A few things bother me about this. The small output
knob is screaming to me that its not a classic variac
in there. Anyone know ??? May be overly engineered
for my taste. Also this is one place analog meters shine,
where you may be watching for change sometimes.

The PR57 goes for a few yards & B&K also made one.
We had 4 PR57's at the shop & the only repairs
were the sockets wore out. I had the B&K at home, also a great
unit. After a meter it was the 2nd most used equiptment,
necessity for solid state work. So IMHO the PR57 or B&K
may be better for you & a lot less.

73 Zeno

[rca2000]

PR570 is NOT the one we are all used to. That one is the PR57.

The 570 has the digital readouts and such. A friend I used to work with here and there--had one when they were pretty new. He-and I--did NOT like it as well as his PR57. It seemed MUCH harder to use and a LOT more of a pain to use, IIRC, it would "trip" MUCH easier--than the 57 does. I agree I do not think it uses an actual variac in front of an isolation tranny--as does the 57.

I also got my 57 about 10 or so years back on Ebay. No probe with mine either, BUT IIRC I paid LESS than 75 at the time and i THINK that included shipping. I LOVE it and it ALMOST "got away" from me one time--but it did not. I got my CR 70 back then too and for about the same price.

Now--I see they go for MUCH higher than when I stumbled onto mine !!

[zeno]

If it trips to easy thats no fun. With the PR57 you
could run a Hitachi with a bad FBT long enuf to make it
explode without shorting the HOT. They make clicking noises
then crack in half with a bang. Smoke & shrapnel next
followed by puss oozing out of the gaping crack.
Sorry but thats how we killed time after the slow down

73 Zeno

[bandersen]

Oops - you're right I was thinking of the PR57 not the PR570

[Jon A.]

I didn't think the 570 would be as good as the 57, now I know for sure.

The price of the PR57 keeps climbing, so the sooner you grab one the better. I recently paid 300 CAD for one, shipping in. Of course shipping prices to Canada are absolutely nuts, as is the U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate.

[Gregb]

I just bought one for $200 plus shipping, really looking forward to getting it. I like the meter flexibility and it will do everything I need.

Gregb

[rca2000]

Originally Posted by zeno

If it trips to easy thats no fun. With the PR57 you
could run a Hitachi with a bad FBT long enuf to make it
explode without shorting the HOT. They make clicking noises
then crack in half with a bang. Smoke & shrapnel next
followed by puss oozing out of the gaping crack.
Sorry but thats how we killed time after the slow down

73 Zeno

You were not the ONLY one who did that !!


I ALSO did something similar with a microwave oven with a bad HV tranny --shorted secondary. SO...I "played" a bit--and kept running it with the smoking tranny...UNTIL...the smoke mad me ILL...

[zeno]

Originally Posted by rca2000

You were not the ONLY one who did that !!


I ALSO did something similar with a microwave oven with a bad HV tranny --shorted secondary. SO...I "played" a bit--and kept running it with the smoking tranny...UNTIL...the smoke mad me ILL...

Yessah there was some nasty $#!t in them transformers.
Breathed a lot of it. Also when I needed a third hand I would
put the solder in my mouth. I should be dead by now.

73 Zeno

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by zeno

Yessah there was some nasty $#!t in them transformers.
Breathed a lot of it. Also when I needed a third hand I would
put the solder in my mouth. I should be dead by now.

73 Zeno

Had you done it often enough you could have had that third hand. Oh well.