Beltron CRT tester put to the test
 

I've wanted a Beltron CRT tester for a very long time. There is a well known electronics personality on a well known video sharing site that uses one, and I always liked the way it tested when I saw this person use it on a CRT. Well, I finally got one and I'd thought I'd share the results. I've used a Heathkit, a B&K 470, then I graduated to a 467, then to a Sencore CR70. This is the ONLY tester that was able to bring back a tube that I had written off as useless a long time ago. It's a 1971 RCA Hi-Lite roundie tube, and red was absolutely shot. Neither the 467, nor the CR70 could do anything with it regarding rejuvenation. They actually made it test WORSE. I pop the Beltron on it, and to my utter shock and amazement, RED TESTS BRAND NEW NOW, and even passes the life test with flying colors. I guess I'm a Beltron fanboy now. We'll see how this tube holds up, it will be interesting.

Shango066 on YouTube (uh, doi)

As far as I know those things will blast the CRT harder than any other tester, and this time didn't blow the red gun to kingdom come, hence the good result.

I give that CRT about a month of use.

...

Are you saying the red gun tested like new on the Beltron without doing anything to it? Or what function of the Beltron magically brought it back to like brand new?

I used Position No. 3 "Restore" on the tester and followed the instructions. The "Restore" position laid down the hammer on the tube and (to paraphrase Jon A. above,) blew it to kingdom come. After doing so, red tests brand new.

Beltron is the best, period.

From 1975 to the late 80’s, my company averaged 100 reconditioned tvs per month.

I used the Beltron on each one.

Still using it-I brought a Predicta tube back from the dead last week. The owner called it Lazarus.

As said above it blasts harder than other testers.
Take a look at the schematic for the Beltron. There's really not much to it. Basically a power supply with some meters, switches and resistors.

http://www.fidnet.com/~seanbart/Belt..._Schematic.jpg

On the other hand, the CR_70 has transistors and op-amps to regulate and limit the voltage and current.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1h6...i70iomevDZBg1m

I guess even some pros didn't know how to properly use them. I have never used one, but I read the following review on ARF:

Did you leave it on the emissions position for a couple hours and see if it holds long term? My experience rejuvenating is you get temporary satisfaction and then it fades away after a few hours. Of course if it was dead before you have nothing to loose if it keeps working for a while. But I would expect whatever impurities made it test bad in the first place will eventually find their way back to their preferred resting place. :scratch2:

I’ll put this out-come for a visit and I’ll show you the difference.

I've got a 17" predicta tube (17DAP4 2.68 volt). I checked it with my B&K 466 tester. It pegs the meter on step #6. Just after step #5 where you set the G1 voltage to 45 volts. This is where you gradually increase the pointer by two small divisons, it started to increase 1 divison then pegged the meter. Then when I proceed to step #7 Read Emissions (tests strong) it is like an extra light bulb going off inside the neck of the tube (besides the heater glow). Is this the famous heater to cathode short, for a predicta tube ? What are the chances that a Beltron will repair this tube ? or is it toast. Thanks guys..
Tony

I know the original 21" Predicta CRTs had a short lifespan, but never heard about any issues with the 17" have a heater to cathode short issue.

Doesn't the 466 have a shorts test ? Does it indicate that you have a short ?

Also, I don't think an HK short wouldn't make the neck glow.

As a fellow B&K466 user I can tell you...Your tube is shot. When you adjust the cutoff and it wants to be 'all or nothing' instead of allowing 2 division adjustment and the neck and or gun elements glow(presumably purple) it means the tube has too much gas contaminating its vacuum to function...It probably has a VERY VERY slow leak somewhere.
Last 2 CRTs that tested that way on my 466 when connected to a working chassis arced internally between the HV connector/internal dag and the electron gun (much to the distress of the flyback), did not produce screen light and the entire neck lit up purple.

Sorry for the bad news. If your 466 still has its manual I believe it explains the connection between cutoff behavior and gas.

Thanks guys, I was afraid of that. Just needed some confirmation. :tears:
Tony

Paperwork
 

Does anyone have the paperwork for this tester? I got the tester but no paperwork.

Stlouisian

Have you searched the BAMA (Boat Anchor Manual Archive) for the manual? They have the manuals for most test equipment of that vintage.

Precise 111
 

BAMA does not have it, :(

I could scan mine if no one else comes forward. It’s currently stored at my parents’ house and the next time I will be there is in about two weeks.

I looked everywhere and have had no luck. There was a member on ARF that had posted one that he drew out but his website in now dead.

That was me. My ISP dropped personal web storage a couple years ago. Here's the schematic I drew of my unit. As far as I know the Beltron didn't come with any useful paperwork other than the instructions that are glued to the pouch on the lid. All the paperwork that came with mine is advertising for how great the Beltron is.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the schematics.

Thanks Sean! from a Heathkit IT-5320 user, the schematic looks very familiar.

I wasn't familiar with the Heathkit unit so just had a look at the manual. It appears to be a more thought-out and higher quality version of the Beltron. Having the selector buttons instead of moving a plug from one socket to another would be nice. Also, the Heathkit has a transformer instead of just rectifying directly from the line.

Thanks Sean.

Looking at the schematic there sure isn't much in there. It wouldn't be that hard to build one. I think there is more to my old B&K 400.

Your making me regret selling my Heathkit before trying to make it work...

I'd at least like to borrow a Beltron. Epay prices are silly and they're usually missing the sockets....

I wanna try zapping that 17AUP4 (17AVP4?) in my Radiation King before I declare it dead :D

I noticed that the original jpeg of the schematic I uploaded was pretty small. I converted it to pdf and added it to my post above to make it easier to read.

I was going through my information and came across the patent for the Beltron. It's available online:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US.../en?oq=3641391