I've got some redundant un-restored test equipment, and I want to pair it down. Comparatively speaking of the 4 what is worth keeping? I have, and use a restored Heathkit C3 as my capacitor tester. Are either of the Solars better (one appears to test inductors which may be useful to me)?
Also the VTVM's appear to be the same...Is one better, and do they have any advantage over the built in VTVM in the one solar?


http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i469/ElectronicMemory/DSCN0216_zpsuv1sr3xc.jpg (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/ElectronicMemory/media/DSCN0216_zpsuv1sr3xc.jpg.html)

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i469/ElectronicMemory/th_DSCN0217_zpsyrghhsua.jpg (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/ElectronicMemory/media/DSCN0217_zpsyrghhsua.jpg.html) http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i469/ElectronicMemory/th_DSCN0218_zpsqvinqqxt.jpg (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/ElectronicMemory/media/DSCN0218_zpsqvinqqxt.jpg.html) http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i469/ElectronicMemory/th_DSCN0219_zpsuu0bzdcl.jpg (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/ElectronicMemory/media/DSCN0219_zpsuu0bzdcl.jpg.html) http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i469/ElectronicMemory/th_DSCN0220_zpsxkqkojif.jpg (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/ElectronicMemory/media/DSCN0220_zpsxkqkojif.jpg.html)

I would at least keep the vtvm's they don't take up much space, and every once in
a while you need more than one, for more than one reason..... That big cap checker
can be replaced with a smaller unit, like a HK.....

I have a really nice HP vtvm that is rack mount but with beautiful large dials,
and a very uncluttered large meter screen, great tool, but too dam big, it sits
in my storage room.

.

I would keep it. all. :D

I would lose the VTVMs and get one good Simpson if I had no other. The Eico and the (what appears to be a Heathkit) are nothing special. As a current (i think) nutcase over vintage capacitor testers with "magic eye" tubes, I have a Solar exactly like the wooden/blackface you have. Oddly, mine with perhaps some touch up work in the 60s only works fine as is. I did change the power supply's 8mfds. That's pretty much a given for that well aged a unit.

Your silver face Solar is really neat looking, however it hasn't the charm of the smaller unit with exposed tubes and all. It cool that you chose a C3 as your main stand by. They are great little units and so simply laid out to do what they do. I went overboard on the bay and compiled about 3 of the later gray C3s, then I decided I liked the look of the older brown face/red letter jobs so I got one of those. THEN I decided that the attraction of having a toggle switch, pilot light and neon leakage lamp; so I got one of those. And then I found a Knight RC that has a miswired main rotary wafer switch.

So I know how you feel. What can I get rid of? There is just too much stuff (TVs and radios) laying around needing some sort of repair to be functional AND I have test equipment that needs repair perhaps to fix the other stuff! LOL! Long winded way of saying every tech needs a good meter. So I say keep or find a good VTVM. I truly believe all a man needs is a good 303 Simpson VTVM and a 260 for things like current measurement. Thats it. We can pick up a Jap DMM for a few bucks for what they do. And you need a good leakage capacitor jig or three. I may have to set up an Ebay store to sell my Ebay purchases! KEEP the blackface Solar man!

Later on I'm going to focus on fixing the EICO VTVM and the Solar Cap/Inductor tester/VTVM to keep if repairable. The Black face solar is likely going to be fixed and sold (or the C3 goes)....It is pretty, but I don't think it offers any functionality the others don't have, the external replacement power transformer makes it cumbersome, and I just don't need shelf queen service equipment.

I may be moving in the next year depending on how some things go, so I'm dragging as much non-essential stuff to the swap meets to get rid of as I can bring my self to. The last thing I need right now is to start collecting VTVMs to try and get a real good one.

I would at least keep the vtvm's they don't take up much space, and every once in
a while you need more than one, for more than one reason.

Perhaps I am missing the point, but why would one use a VTVM instead of a modern DVM or 'scope (with 10X probe) for critical measurements?
Disclaimer... I will admit to keeping a working vintage Heath V-7a at my test bench, but it is a "nostalgia piece", as I built it when I was a kid. A matching (dark grey) Heath C-3 *does* get used, since it provides a function not found in modern equipment (leakage test at high voltages).

jr

About the only advantage of a VTVM over a modern DMM is the ease of spotting trends, dips, or peaks on an analog meter over a bunch of changing digits. Typical alignment procedures call for adjusting circuitry to achieve a peak or null, which is easier to do with an analog meter than a digital display.

Most better grade DMMs include a "bar graph" type display in addition to the digits for this purpose, though.

Thats reason #1. Also a scope needs bench space & more thinking.
In the tube days we fixed 95% of the sets with a VOM or VTVM.
Only other things we used were yoke/FBT checker & analysts.
Scopes were almost never used til the 2nd or 3rd generation
solid state sets, then it became common. Most old techs
couldnt even run one. If you put food on the table doing this
speed is important. Setting up a bunch of equipment is a loosing
proposition unless absolutely needed. But since nobody here does it for a living anymore bottom line is what you like & what you have.

73 Zeno:smoke:

About the only advantage of a VTVM over a modern DMM is the ease of spotting trends, dips, or peaks on an analog meter over a bunch of changing digits. Typical alignment procedures call for adjusting circuitry to achieve a peak or null, which is easier to do with an analog meter than a digital display.

Most better grade DMMs include a "bar graph" type display in addition to the digits for this purpose, though.

In the tube days we fixed 95% of the sets with a VOM or VTVM.


I agree that the 2 types of meters were essential in those days, but remember that the best VOMs (at 5,000 to 10,000 ohms per volt (AC) and 20,000 ohms per volt (DC) presented considerable loading to a high impedance circuit, especially when using the lower voltage ranges. A VTVM, with a constant 11 Meg-ohm input resistance was necessary for measuring these sensitive circuits.

Most modern high quality DVMs have a 10 Meg-ohm input resistance on *all* AC and DC voltage ranges and IMHO, makes the use of a VTVM unnecessary today.

jr

But since nobody here does it for a living anymore bottom line is what you like & what you have.

73 Zeno:smoke:

Couldn't have put it plainer! :thmbsp: And that's what the topic was more or less. The man wanted some opinions of what to keep out of several units that are just as relevant now as they were when they were new ONLY you will be hard pressed to earn the living with any of the stuff in your hand be it "high grade" DMMs or "nostalgic" VTVMs.

For the modern, better equipped tech who can do many of his checks from a scope; do you really need the "high grade" digital scope of today like some of the top design engineers may be willing to sink a few grand into, OR can you really do most electronics work on the repair end (??) with a good quality "service grade" unit with a CRT from the last few decades?

Anyway, I have read a lot of true and legitimate opinions on old v/s new, digital v/s analog or tube and it goes back to Zeno's quote here. Electronic M likes what he has, but like many of us perhaps has too much of. The meter controversy is old news, but these leakage testing nostalgia peices are an ever growing hot topic, & seller at auction. The later Sprague Telohmikes have about doubled in price online in recent months. No way around their relevancy on today's bench if the tech is blessed enough to have one. He can do the same thing with a cheap Heathkit and maybe an ammeter if he wants specific numerical current readouts.

Most modern high quality DVMs have a 10 Meg-ohm input resistance on *all* AC and DC voltage ranges and IMHO, makes the use of a VTVM unnecessary today.

jr
Is this what "true RMS" is?

Is this what "true RMS" is?

No. "True RMS" relates to the measurement of the "DC equivalent" of an AC voltage. Most meters (even old analog meters) make a decent measurement of an AC voltage *if* it is a sine wave. If the AC voltage has a different shape, simple meters will not give an accurate measurement of the voltage. A "True RMS" meter makes the proper calculation and produces a more correct result. Read about RMS here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_RMS_converter

jr