Amplifier hour meter - very useful

Oh, this is nice. This should work on any amp really - including the VTA-70 and the M-125 (one per block).

Bob,
If I gather correctly from the video, the meter re-sets every time the power is shut off. Is there a way to get a cumulative read, like the Hobbes meters on an aircraft engine, so you know the total time on the tubes? In other words, when the magnetos are on the clock is running, stops when you turn the master-switch off, but picks up where it left off next time you light the fires until you manually zero it out. Or did I miss a step?
I keep a hand-write log that approximates TT, but it would be nice to have an instrument that did the same with more precision. Would also be useful to time caps, resistors, rectifiers as you say, as to when they fail.
Ideas?

I have used :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121052465515?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

for close to 2 years now. Simular price but less buttons and size. I power it from +12V used to control the SSR in the vta70.

Bob Latino wrote:

deepee99 wrote:Bob,
If I gather correctly from the video, the meter re-sets every time the power is shut off. Is there a way to get a cumulative read, like the Hobbes meters on an aircraft engine, so you know the total time on the tubes? Or did I miss a step?
I keep a log that approximates TT, but it would be nice to have an instrument that did the same with more precision. Would also be useful to time caps, resistors, rectifiers as you say, as to when they fail.
Ideas?

David,

That hour meter does not reset unless you MANUALLY rest the meter. If you run the amp (or whatever load you place on the meter) for four hours one day and two hours the next day, the meter will read 6 hours. Again > That hour meter does not reset unless you MANUALLY rest the meter to zero.

Bob

Many thanks. That feature was not emphasised in the video, or I missed it. Think I'll get me a couple, one for each amp as we don't always replace output tubes at the same moment, though if one side is going saggy I figger the other one's probably near broke, too, and just install 8 new outputs.
Off-topic, the Shuguang and PSVanes are performing wonders. Next paycheck from Uncle Sugar, am going to try out their KT-88s. FWIW, from a major and very reliable dealer of these bottles in China, let me pass along the following.
"Hello!
I am happy see your message.
Psvane and ShuGuang we talk about it now.
Psvane have three series. Price from low to high is:
HIFI,
Mark-II,
Re-edition Classics

ShuGuang have four series.Price from low to high is:
General Series,
Black Treasures,
Sound Of Nature
Re-edition Classics

ShuGuang earlier than Psvane was born.First they are same factory and same technical personnel.
Now Psvane has been out of ShuGuang and It's an independent brand.
You said KT88 and 6SN7.
ShuGuang's General Series KT88-98 have the most stable performance and price is not high.
6SN7 which one is better hard to say.
If Psvane and ShuGuang comparison of the same level is can't say better or bad.
Because every tube and every amp is different.They parameter is different.Personal preference also different.
But high level's material is better than general."
Maybe this belongs in a new thread, but just wanted to pass his wisdom along.

Gotta love the Chinese - English must be even more difficult to grasp than Chinese for us, yet as awkward as the translation is, the author manages to make himslf clear enough.
I'm surprised to see two levels of ShuGuangs ABOVE Black Treasure. I've never seen them on any market. If they are superior to the BTs ---

Praise the Load, and pass the MasterCard!