Test equipment for valve radio repair

Hexode

If you want to learn more, please visit our website valve test equipment.

Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: Cotswolds, UK.

Posts: 465

For more information, please visit Valve Lapping Equipment.

My three ha'porth,
1) An AVO meter is generally more beneficial than a DVM because the service data voltages often stem from analogue meter readings, such as those from a Mk7 or Mk8 AVO. Thus, using similar instruments will render the results more meaningful.

2) Having multiple AVO meters can be advantageous since you can monitor different parts of a complex circuit simultaneously. Considering their affordable price, owning several of them should be manageable.

3) A relatively precise RF signal generator is also essential. It doesn’t need to have sophisticated features but should cover common IF frequencies as well as the MW/LW bands with AM modulation, which is sufficient for most older sets.

The aforementioned equipment will suffice for nearly all AM domestic radios.

For setting up more advanced equipment, particularly communication sets like the AR88, having a good wobbulator and an oscilloscope is crucial, especially when fine-tuning filters with precise skirt shapes. Although oscilloscopes are useful tools, they aren't absolute necessities unless you're engaged in such detailed setups frequently.

Beyond these essentials, the amount of additional equipment you acquire depends largely on your budget. Having a valve tester, for instance, can be immensely beneficial. Additionally, owning a high-quality Marconi communications set analyzer, although beyond the basic requirement, can greatly simplify some tasks. Other useful tools include valve volt meters and meggers for insulation testing on the mains side.

It's important to remember that while additional pieces of equipment fall under the "nice to have" category, the core tasks can usually be accomplished with the basic three items mentioned above. It's uncommon for me to use my entire set of tools unless I'm undertaking an elaborate project like setting up an RA17 entirely.

Robin

Choosing the right valve test bench can be quite challenging, especially for valve workshops or valve service companies, due to the unpredictable nature of the required valve types, test media, and test pressures for upcoming repair jobs.

Given this uncertainty, selecting suitable valve testing equipment becomes even more complex. To address this difficulty, we've created a tutorial video titled "How to choose a valve test bench for the workshop." This video showcases the flexibility of our METRUS valve test bench SV 50/400 E, which is designed to handle a wide range of valve test scenarios common in service companies.

For more valve test equipment information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.