has anyone on this forum heard of the uTester, http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3.html, or, has one.
Looks like an interesting tool!
Looks like an interesting tool!
+7
deepee99
Pillo69
Bob Latino
GP49
Maintarget
peterh
sKiZo
11 posters
uTracer 'tube tester'
sKiZo- Posts : 1530
Join date : 2013-04-01
Location : Michigan USA
Link works better without the comma at the end ...
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3.html
Looks interesting ... have to do me some reading.
* I already like the idea of being able to test a tube at a specific bias point ...
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3.html
Looks interesting ... have to do me some reading.
* I already like the idea of being able to test a tube at a specific bias point ...
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
MontanaWay wrote:has anyone on this forum heard of the uTester, http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3.html, or, has one.
Looks like an interesting tool!
Yes, i have built one.
it's a very good design, more or less self-calibrating, and accurate.
Due to it's limitation of voltage it's less useful for power tubes( it has an upper limit of 300V )
My implementation is a little different ( and of course vastly superior !) , as i have the
uTracer in a small box by itself, each type of tubesocket has it's own "adapter box" size of
a cigarette packet. Each adapter has a 25-pole D-sub connector where 1-n is hardwired to
the tubesocket 1-n , and 25 23 21 19 13 14 is connected to A G2 G C f + f of the uTracer.
The final customization for each tube is a D-sub connector with appropriate cross-connections
that is plugged into the adapters D-sub. This gives me total flexibility and shortest possible cables
( yes cable length is a problem with all active devices) at a cost of a number of d-sub plugs.
I think there is a picture on dos4ever.com , if interested i could publish some more pictures.
Maintarget- Posts : 227
Join date : 2013-02-10
Peterh would like to see your pictures this is way over my head but very interesting none the less
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
Maintarget wrote:Peterh would like to see your pictures this is way over my head but very interesting none the less
Have a look at http://n.manet.nu/uTracer
Guest- Guest
peterh wrote:Maintarget wrote:Peterh would like to see your pictures this is way over my head but very interesting none the less
Have a look at http://n.manet.nu/uTracer
can you show how you wired up your tube specific D-Sub plugs, thanks!
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
Wiring for the tubespecific D-SUB:
This example is for 6AN8, and needs two plugs, one for the triode part and one for the pentode.
Common is the wiring to the D-sub chassies connector :
Pin connects to
1 tubesocket 1
2 tubesocket 2
3 tubesocket 3
4 tubesocket 4
----
12 chassies ground uTracer
14 filament uTracer
15 filament uTracer
19 grid uTracer
21 cathode uTracer
23 screen uTracer
25 anode uTracer
The adapter plugs will the interconnect these, all but one is a wire, the one connecting the grid
is a 1kohm resistor to prevent parasitic oscillation ( there is so small amounts of current that
this will not affect measuring.
6an8 triode has
25 -- 1 ( anod )
23 -- 3 (cathode )
19 -- 2 ( grid 1kOhm resistor )
14 -- 4 ( filament )
15 -- 5 ( filament )
12 -- 9
6an8 pentode has
25 -- 6 (anode)
23 -- 7 /screen)
21 -- 9 cathode
19 -- 8 grid ( 1kohm)
14 -- 4
15 -- 5
This example is for 6AN8, and needs two plugs, one for the triode part and one for the pentode.
Common is the wiring to the D-sub chassies connector :
Pin connects to
1 tubesocket 1
2 tubesocket 2
3 tubesocket 3
4 tubesocket 4
----
12 chassies ground uTracer
14 filament uTracer
15 filament uTracer
19 grid uTracer
21 cathode uTracer
23 screen uTracer
25 anode uTracer
The adapter plugs will the interconnect these, all but one is a wire, the one connecting the grid
is a 1kohm resistor to prevent parasitic oscillation ( there is so small amounts of current that
this will not affect measuring.
6an8 triode has
25 -- 1 ( anod )
23 -- 3 (cathode )
19 -- 2 ( grid 1kOhm resistor )
14 -- 4 ( filament )
15 -- 5 ( filament )
12 -- 9
6an8 pentode has
25 -- 6 (anode)
23 -- 7 /screen)
21 -- 9 cathode
19 -- 8 grid ( 1kohm)
14 -- 4
15 -- 5
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
It's very quiet here.... Any comments ?
GP49- Posts : 792
Join date : 2009-04-30
Location : East of the sun and west of the moon
It's summertime, maybe folks are out doing fun things in the outdoors, instead of hi-fi?
Not me, though; it's been doctor visits to sort out a particular and potentially serious issue that has cropped up; a tricky issue that has knocked out the turn signals in one of our cars; and then a cat who developed asthma and almost couldn't breathe (happily home now).
But at least my hi-fi is there and running when I want some music.
Not me, though; it's been doctor visits to sort out a particular and potentially serious issue that has cropped up; a tricky issue that has knocked out the turn signals in one of our cars; and then a cat who developed asthma and almost couldn't breathe (happily home now).
But at least my hi-fi is there and running when I want some music.
Bob Latino- Admin
- Posts : 3276
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts
peterh wrote:It's very quiet here.... Any comments ?
Hi Peter,
As GP49 has mentioned above ..
It always slows down here in the summer time with the warmer weather .. People don't listen to their stereo gear as much. They spend more time vacationing (boating, camping, the beach etc.). DIY type forums, as this one is, has more participation in the winter months (at least in the northern hemisphere) when DIY people are looking for an indoor project when colder weather and snow keeps them inside for much of their recreational time.
Bob
Guest- Guest
the more I read about it the more I am leaning towards getting one.
This tester really seems to be able to obtain pretty much all the vital readings and measurements for a given tube.
One can get very involved in setting this up and testing tubes, I don't think I would use all the possible readings this tester can do.
Pretty much replaces any old style tube tester, not to mention being able to obtain a ton more info on a tube and far more accurate!
It does seem to be somewhat limited for power tubes, a somewhat low B+, but I don't think that will really be an issue for me.
I like peterh's approach, but I think I will go with simple banana plugs & sockets, arranged in such a way that I can create 'cheat' cards which I can overlay on the banana plug sockets which will then tell me how to set up the 'patch' for a given tube/s.
I'll keep reading, but like I said, I think I'll order a kit!
This tester really seems to be able to obtain pretty much all the vital readings and measurements for a given tube.
One can get very involved in setting this up and testing tubes, I don't think I would use all the possible readings this tester can do.
Pretty much replaces any old style tube tester, not to mention being able to obtain a ton more info on a tube and far more accurate!
It does seem to be somewhat limited for power tubes, a somewhat low B+, but I don't think that will really be an issue for me.
I like peterh's approach, but I think I will go with simple banana plugs & sockets, arranged in such a way that I can create 'cheat' cards which I can overlay on the banana plug sockets which will then tell me how to set up the 'patch' for a given tube/s.
I'll keep reading, but like I said, I think I'll order a kit!
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
I requested a kit to Ronald.
The new version of 400v.
My idea is to include different sockets in the cabinet.
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html
The new version of 400v.
My idea is to include different sockets in the cabinet.
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html
deepee99- Posts : 2244
Join date : 2012-05-23
Location : Wallace, Idaho
Quite so, and it leaves more space for Kentley and me to duke it out. However, we're still shovelling snow here in 90F heat.Bob Latino wrote:peterh wrote:It's very quiet here.... Any comments ?
Hi Peter,
As GP49 has mentioned above ..
It always slows down here in the summer time with the warmer weather .. People don't listen to their stereo gear as much. They spend more time vacationing (boating, camping, the beach etc.). DIY type forums, as this one is, has more participation in the winter months (at least in the northern hemisphere) when DIY people are looking for an indoor project when colder weather and snow keeps them inside for much of their recreational time.
Bob
Kentley- Posts : 496
Join date : 2015-03-06
Age : 72
Location : Worcester, MA
What a flooze. Snow my hinterlands.deepee99 wrote:Quite so, and it leaves more space for Kentley and me to duke it out. However, we're still shovelling snow here in 90F heat.Bob Latino wrote:peterh wrote:It's very quiet here.... Any comments ?
Hi Peter,
As GP49 has mentioned above ..
It always slows down here in the summer time with the warmer weather .. People don't listen to their stereo gear as much. They spend more time vacationing (boating, camping, the beach etc.). DIY type forums, as this one is, has more participation in the winter months (at least in the northern hemisphere) when DIY people are looking for an indoor project when colder weather and snow keeps them inside for much of their recreational time.
Bob
deepee99- Posts : 2244
Join date : 2012-05-23
Location : Wallace, Idaho
Kentley, The Dual is on and I have a full jug of Thorens to combat any heartburn. AR you ready to continue upon this ARC? If not I shall unleash more ants on your snow-free domicile.Kentley wrote:What a flooze. Snow my hinterlands.deepee99 wrote:Quite so, and it leaves more space for Kentley and me to duke it out. However, we're still shovelling snow here in 90F heat.Bob Latino wrote:peterh wrote:It's very quiet here.... Any comments ?
Hi Peter,
As GP49 has mentioned above ..
It always slows down here in the summer time with the warmer weather .. People don't listen to their stereo gear as much. They spend more time vacationing (boating, camping, the beach etc.). DIY type forums, as this one is, has more participation in the winter months (at least in the northern hemisphere) when DIY people are looking for an indoor project when colder weather and snow keeps them inside for much of their recreational time.
Bob
BNR_1- Posts : 111
Join date : 2013-06-11
Pillo69 wrote:I requested a kit to Ronald.
The new version of 400v.
My idea is to include different sockets in the cabinet.
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html
Hey Pillo69 - keeps us informed as to what your thoughts are with regards to the unit. I highly doubt I would build such a unit, but who knows. It does look interesting.
Thanks
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
I received the kit.
I'm going to start.........
I'm going to start.........
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
BNR_1 wrote:Pillo69 wrote:I requested a kit to Ronald.
The new version of 400v.
My idea is to include different sockets in the cabinet.
http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html
Hey Pillo69 - keeps us informed as to what your thoughts are with regards to the unit. I highly doubt I would build such a unit, but who knows. It does look interesting.
Thanks
The kit is very well documented. The build is done in a step by step with tests between
the stages so when the kit is done you have tested every step.
To avoid "long cable effects" i would recommend that the first tube is measured
in a single holder connected with short wires straight to the uTracer. Keep this tube
and holder to compare when the final installation is done.
Why do i say this ? well, many cables and some capacitance might push the valve into
oscillation that will corrupt the curves. Mounting proper grid stoppers and ferrite pearls can be used to correct this.
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
Peterh thanks for your tips.
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
The mounting kit is finished.
Tested and calibrated.
I will perform tests with a noval socket, while mechanized furniture.
Tested and calibrated.
I will perform tests with a noval socket, while mechanized furniture.
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
Well Done !
Are you using the windows tools ? What windows do you use ?
Are you using the windows tools ? What windows do you use ?
Tube Nube- Posts : 707
Join date : 2008-12-06
Age : 61
Location : Calgary, AB
There's something mildly amusing about a tube tester that uses silicon chips.
peterh- Posts : 1869
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
Tube Nube wrote:There's something mildly amusing about a tube tester that uses silicon chips.
It's not a tube tester. It's a tube tracer, a device that measures every
point on a number of load conditions.
As a by-product simple values ( Gm, Ra and My ) is obtained at any
choosen working point.
A tube "tester" is either to simple to be of any value, or to simple to be of any general value.
Tectronix made tube tracers too a long time ago. But these used lots of tubes
and they are no longer made. If there were made they would be very expensive.
That's what todays computers can give, large functionality to a very low price.
In addition uTracer measures one microsecond at each measurment, thus avoiding to heat up tube structures, which will give more accurate values when measuring the higher power parts.
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
I am using the Win 10 computer, the RS232 adapter does not have the chipsset TFDI (I found the house).
Until I make a cabinet baseboards, I have placed a turret with noval zocalo.
I am learning to use the GUI interface.
I have done some tests with JJ 12AX7.
Here are the reports in txt and bmp.
Until I make a cabinet baseboards, I have placed a turret with noval zocalo.
I am learning to use the GUI interface.
I have done some tests with JJ 12AX7.
Here are the reports in txt and bmp.
BNR_1- Posts : 111
Join date : 2013-06-11
Awesome. What are you using for the filament source?
Similar topics
