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Tube Tester What's a good One??

T

tube-a-lou

Addicted Member
Hi all,
Now that I got my first Tube Tester, What would be be a better one than
the Sencore TC154 that I got,I just want to see what else is out there that's
more accurate with tube testing and all that. Or to see what you guy's have
and what works really well.

Thanks
Tube
 
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The Sencore Mighty Mites are good emmisions testers, depends on what you want them to do. Realise that most tester like the Hickoks, B&K's and other decent Transconductance testers won't be able to test the tubes at their operating voltage or amperage, most testers will only be able to suss out bad tubes. You can kind of match them with the more expensive transconductance testers but to truly match tubes you need to subject them to the actual operating voltages, that takes some serious equipment, probably more than you are willing to spend.
 
If you are just testing tubes for your own use, then the Sencore, if it's calibrated, is all you need. I'm partial to the B&K's myself, but not because they are inherently any better, I just find them very easy to use, especially the 650.
 
Yep, if your Sencore is like mine all you need to do is construct a calibration device out of some precision resistors and diodes wired to an octal base and it is calibrated.
 
Last edited:
Dukiedook said:
Yep, if your Sencore is like mine all you need to do is construct a calibration device out of some precision resistors and didoes wired to an octal base and it is calibrated.
Click to expand...

resistors and ? it looked like something else for a second .. :banana:
 
Hickock testers are a lot more thorough, but a basic emission tester that will do a shorts and leakage check is enough for a casual dead / not dead check. I have an Eico 667 thats maybe a smidge better than the Sencore Mighty-Mite but its not vastly different. I still have a Mighty-Mite II though, and before I got the Eico for a song, it served me well enough.

The only really truly accurate tube tester though is the actual circuit you're going to use a particular tube in. I'm sure you've already heard that by now though.
 
A TV-7 or equivalent is indeed where you wanna be. It needs to be rehabbed and calibrated to be worth the effort, and it won't come cheap. You get what you pay for.

For many purposes, though, a Mighty-Mite is pretty adequate. The Mighty-Mite has a better than average grid leakage test, and is also good for detecting shorts. They're also straightforward to calibrate.

The best test for most tubes is a use test (i.e., in the circuit of interest). TVs and radios are harder to troubleshoot, in terms of bad or iffy tubes, than hifi.
 
This is the only "tester" you'd ever need:D I picked this up years ago at the flea for 50 cents already mounted in the cigar box.
tester.jpg


Actually I use a B&K Model 747. I only wish it did the older 4, 5, and 6 pin tubes.
BK.jpg
 
63pontiacgp said:
This is the only "tester" you'd ever need:D I picked this up years ago at the flea for 50 cents already mounted in the cigar box.
tester.jpg


Actually I use a B&K Model 747. I only wish it did the older 4, 5, and 6 pin tubes.
BK.jpg
Click to expand...

Hi,
Wow that's a tube tester, thank you for all your input guy's but this is
a good thread, lots of info for all here.

Tube
 
I have several. I prefer my Hickok TV-3B/U over the TV-7 as it reads directly in micromhos, but I use others also. I have a B&K 707 and 747. I am actually getting rid of my 747 at the moment as the 707 actually does a quick check on 12AX7's and the 747 doesn't. The Eico 625 is a good little emissions tester, but if you have too many tubes and are trying to sell a few the auction folk seem to like actual transconductance numbers.
 
If you want a "good" tester then you want a mutual conductance tester and not an emissions tester. I've had, and still have quite a few testers but somehow I always end up using the Hickok 800. It's a real workhorse and easy enough for the average Joe to calibrate.:yes:
 
Perhaps the first question should be what are you trying to test?

For the majority of audio tubes I'd strongly recommend the TV7 military testers. There is more data available for that tester than any else I've seen.

If you need to test Compactrons or later TV stuff there are several Eico's and Hickock's that will do a decent job.

If you need to test larger tubes (eg 211, 845) I'll usually set up a test rig using bench supplies and meters.

Alan Douglas's book
51MUiy%2B6q1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
is suggested reading before you purchase any tester.

http://www.amazon.com/Tube-Testers-Classic-Electronic-Test/dp/1886606145

- Gary
 
That looks like my 800 on the bottom right. It was owned by the County I live in and labeled Johnson County Civil Defense. I don't think it had ever been plugged in. I guess we never got attacked here in KS.:D

I got a nifty Geiger counter at that sale too.


Crap, and also that big two handled scope. It was full of Amperex 6DJ8s (different sale at the same place).
 
Cover has a Tek 570 vacuum-tube curve tracer, a General Radio 1001A RF signal Generator, Hickok 6000A tester, Boonton 75B capacitance bridge and a Bunnell portable Wheatstone bridge.

Alan is local, and a great source of information. I wish I knew 5% of what he does about tube gear and radios!

- Gary
 
Hickok 539B/C. It tests a wide range of tubes, has a more precise bias control, provisions for external bias, decent leakage test and a wide range of AC signal voltages for proper tube loading.
 
jaymanaa said:
That looks like my 800 on the bottom right. It was owned by the County I live in and labeled Johnson County Civil Defense. I don't think it had ever been plugged in. I guess we never got attacked here in KS.:D

I got a nifty Geiger counter at that sale too.


Crap, and also that big two handled scope. It was full of Amperex 6DJ8s (different sale at the same place).
Click to expand...

Man, send a PM if you know about any more of those types of sales. I am always up for getting some sweet equipment stockpiled in the JOCO.


Take a look around, especially at this site http://tone-lizard.com/Tube_Testers.html, he has some good info that he originally wrote for rebuilding and repairing guitar amps but applies to what we do.

Different testers will do different things well, look at what you want it to do and how much money you want to spend. A Hickok 539C or a Tripplet 3444 will cost you mucho buckos though, keep that in mind.
 
Hello,

The problem with Hickok's and most any vintage tube tester is age. And the new models while off the hook great are just not actually built as well and in addition cost a arm and a leg.

So IMHO unless you are running a tube testing business get yourself as new a decent vintage tester as you can at 200 or so in good shape. B&K 707 , 747 are my favorites at the most bang for the buck that also are newer.

Don't concern yourself with the over priced Hickok's and Tripplet's which have lots of parts and components that can break.

Don't get me wrong. I love my Hickok's and use them near daily. But the operative word is "Daily"

Casual testing does not require a tester that costs 500 to 1000

Frannie
 
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