Eico signal tracer 147A
- Thread starter knockbill
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nashvillebill
Super Member
Nice! I would fix it and use it. The leads should be plain old multimeter leads to plug into the banana jacks.
Here's how it's used: when troubleshooting an amp, inject a signal into the input f the amp (or into a subsequent gain stage). Use the probe on the signal tracer and just touch different components down the signal path. If you don't hear the signal at one point, you've just found the problem, it's just before where you stopped hearing the signal.
I've got a Philco signal tracer, the Eico looks like it has more functions. (RF converter?)
Here's how it's used: when troubleshooting an amp, inject a signal into the input f the amp (or into a subsequent gain stage). Use the probe on the signal tracer and just touch different components down the signal path. If you don't hear the signal at one point, you've just found the problem, it's just before where you stopped hearing the signal.
I've got a Philco signal tracer, the Eico looks like it has more functions. (RF converter?)
knockbill
Lunatic Member
Good info,,,, Glad I asked!! I saw a scope jack on it, and figured I couldn't use it,,, I'll download the manual, and learn a little more!! I guess I'll need a signal generator also?
I'm keeping the Mullards for amps tho!
Thanks again...
Regards,
John
knockbill
Lunatic Member
Have someone record a CD with a tone(s) on it and use that for a signal.
If you have an amp. or receiver that one channel works, use the tracer to "compare" one channel with another as you follow the signal towards the speaker\output.
Mark T.
Thanks for replying,,,
I'm not quite sure what you mean...Wouldn't any CD/tape work as an input, then? The guys at the Philco forum just use a soldering gun, and inject a 6V 60 cycle hum, and listen thru the speaker... I've done that before, and it worked.. but, I didn't have a tracer then!! I'll understand it better after I try it...
Thanks again
Regards,
John
nashvillebill
Super Member
The signal can be anything, yes even a CD or tape, just some source of a "tone" that plugs into the amp's input.
But I wouldn't use a 60 hz source, it would be indiscernible from heater noise, for example.
But I wouldn't use a 60 hz source, it would be indiscernible from heater noise, for example.
nashvillebill
Super Member
Not only that, if you touch the soldering iron to something, you could damage the part you touched. Why risk burning something?
Conversely, if the soldering iron tip were to touch B+, bad things could happen. The iron may not handle a voltage potential of several hundred volts.
Signal generators are cheap, Parts Express has a great little kit that does sine, square, and triangle waves, for less than $50.
Conversely, if the soldering iron tip were to touch B+, bad things could happen. The iron may not handle a voltage potential of several hundred volts.
Signal generators are cheap, Parts Express has a great little kit that does sine, square, and triangle waves, for less than $50.
knockbill
Lunatic Member
I''m sure you are right, Bill,,,
I think there are signal gen schematics in the RCA tube manuals,,,
I got the tracer for free at an auction... I probably passed up on a lot of equipment that may have been useful... I didn't realize I could use them, as they were being thrown in box lots, nobody bid on them!!!!!!!,
I also got a flyback transformer tester,, and a cathode tube rejuvenator... and other testers, that nobody wanted, for free (I already stripped them for transformers, pots, tubes, knobs)... Like I said, the reason I took the tracer was to part it out... On hindsight, I should have probably taken one of the 5-10 buck scopes, also...
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the help/advice I've gotten here,,,I have lots to learn about electronics work, audio etc...
Regards,
John
I think there are signal gen schematics in the RCA tube manuals,,,
I got the tracer for free at an auction... I probably passed up on a lot of equipment that may have been useful... I didn't realize I could use them, as they were being thrown in box lots, nobody bid on them!!!!!!!,
I also got a flyback transformer tester,, and a cathode tube rejuvenator... and other testers, that nobody wanted, for free (I already stripped them for transformers, pots, tubes, knobs)... Like I said, the reason I took the tracer was to part it out... On hindsight, I should have probably taken one of the 5-10 buck scopes, also...
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the help/advice I've gotten here,,,I have lots to learn about electronics work, audio etc...
Regards,
John
Ohighway
Wannabe Minimalist
People on our sister site Videokarma.com might be interested in the flyback tester, cathode rejuvinator and other old TV related stuff.
knockbill
Lunatic Member
,,
Sorry,,,
I didn't know about that site, and I already stripped those... Don't tell 'em!!!! I was there looking for parts, and the dealers were bidding all the parts lots, out of sight,,, so, I grabbed stuff nobody wanted, or bid on... Guess there weren't any TV guys there...
Regards,
John
markn2wae
Mark T N2WAE
Not as good as a test signal.
I have found that a conventional music source has too many dips and pauses in sound to be a good source for troubleshooting, if a music CD is all you have, use it.
Mark T.
I have found that a conventional music source has too many dips and pauses in sound to be a good source for troubleshooting, if a music CD is all you have, use it.
Mark T.
knockbill
Lunatic Member
I have found that a conventional music source has too many dips and pauses in sound to be a good source for troubleshooting, if a music CD is all you have, use it.
Mark T.
How about a data cd?
Regards,
John
ferninando
Lunatic Member
get a 'test' cd.