The Hi-Voltage Blues

[Tubejunke]

[QUOTE=Raddion;3086687] I only tested the heater circuit - but if I remember right that was supposed to be a pretty good sign for the CRT if it passed? ![/QUOTE

]WOW! What a score on the tube tester! You have come a long way in a very short time from checking a heater with a V.O.M. to being able to do all facets of proper tube testing. Just so you know, the heater check of the tube, or any tube is only the most basic of test. OF course without heater operation with thermionic emission, you have no chance at all of moving electrons, But conditions like shorts and gas must be taken into consideration.

I wouldn't have any hesitation in using that tester as is beyond simply doing a routine inspection and perhaps leaving it powered up and checking a few tubes of different heater voltages to put various circuits to use. The good thing about 70s test equipment is that first off it was never used daily as a TV or radio may be. Also, it was brand new then as opposed to the TVs we love. They were being retired through the 70s and into the 80s even.

Last, by the 70s many devices were either hybrid or completely solid state meaning that tubes were replaced with transistors and PN junction devices which operate at much lower voltages and are much more stable than vacuum tubes. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't be here if I did not hugely enjoy the operation of vacuum tube equipment. However, I do prefer my test equipment to be a tool and not a project. Not to say that dated solid state equipment does not require service. Anywhere that there are capacitors there is potential failure.