peter
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Retired, collector of vintage radios and test equipment for restoration and repair.
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Post by peter on Aug 19, 2021 5:36:55 GMT 12
The same issue applies on eBay - Heathkit stuff has skyrocketed in price. I bought a Heathkit IT-28 capacitor checker a couple of years ago, and managed to get it for a reasonable price - but all the others I looked at were going crazy on the prices. Some people were wanting (and in many cases getting) upwards of $400 NZD for them. The 'Mr Carlson effect' is partly responsible. He's an electronic technician that has a very popular YouTube channel and as soon as he features a particular item for restoration on there the prices of them go warp-drive on eBay as a result. Just a word of warning if you are planning to buy a Heathkit item from the US - many units were released only with a 120 volt primary winding on the mains transformer, while some (even with the same model number) came with the international version transformer that has dual 120 volt primaries meaning they can be series connected for 230 V. Even if the construction manual shows the international transformer as being fitted, check before you start bidding because I have seen units like this where the book says it has the international version yet when the item arrives it has the US-only transformer fitted. I understand the UK version with the 230v transformer has the designation U after the model number e.g IT - 8 and IT - 8U, BUT as you say they sometimes have only the US version fitted (possibly 2nd hand and refurbished in the US before emmigrating here??). The give away is usually they come with a 2 prong American style plug - if you are really unlucky some bright spark will have twisted the prongs to fit in the NZ socket, plugged it in and blown the transformer. then put it on trademe (in 'excellent condition' of course). But a lot will simply have the plug cut off nowadays as a requirement of being sold used/untested. it's a pity there appears to be no supplier of the heathkit export style transformers (or at least I've not found one to date) as not just for heathkit etc but a lot of US 120v valve guitar amplifiers come here. Fender fit a 230v transformer to their exported valve amps so someone over in the US or Asia must still be making them.
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Post by Peter Walsham on Aug 19, 2021 11:58:55 GMT 12
Hi Peter
Unfortunately, mine won't properly zero - even when the meter is totally disconnected from the circuit & 'driven externally' or even shorted out. The movements appear to need attention, but I don't have the skills, experience, or courage to do the work myself.
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Post by Kempy on Aug 21, 2021 11:32:07 GMT 12
and you thought $20 for caps was crazy? That ssegrub01 fellow had a single CV1137 (NR35, PD220a) tube for $651 on ebay.
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peter
Tinkerer
Retired, collector of vintage radios and test equipment for restoration and repair.
Posts: 97
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Post by peter on Aug 23, 2021 5:29:21 GMT 12
Hi Peter Unfortunately, mine won't properly zero - even when the meter is totally disconnected from the circuit & 'driven externally' or even shorted out. The movements appear to need attention, but I don't have the skills, experience, or courage to do the work myself. Really annoying as well - basically it could be several things 1) junk or filings on the central magnet the winding rides around - people suggest magnifying glass q tips and/or blue tack on the end of a matchsticks for removing 2) the hair springs are out of balance - I'd not touch those myself having had several 'unfortunate' accidents in the past but possible if you had a really light touch 3) gunk on the pivot points - I have tried loosening things off very slightly in the past with good/mixed results. 4) the central magnet has shifted slightly in it's fixing so it's off centre and thus stopping. I like those head mounted magnifying glasses you used to be able to get from Dick Smiths and probably still can from Jaycar BUT you will need a very light touch and NON MAGNETIC tools. Like you I don't have the courage and the last person I knew that could do this sort of thing was in his 60's back in the late 1970's so it's unlikely he's still around or could still do it. There must be such repair people in Aussie as a possibility. Silicon chip the mag used to list at the back repairers over there, but I'm not sure it's still being produced. The other thought might be a watch repair person. Good luck.
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Post by Radiotech on Aug 24, 2021 15:52:20 GMT 12
I understand the UK version with the 230v transformer has the designation U after the model number e.g IT - 8 and IT - 8U, BUT as you say they sometimes have only the US version fitted (possibly 2nd hand and refurbished in the US before emmigrating here??). The give away is usually they come with a 2 prong American style plug - if you are really unlucky some bright spark will have twisted the prongs to fit in the NZ socket, plugged it in and blown the transformer. then put it on trademe (in 'excellent condition' of course). But a lot will simply have the plug cut off nowadays as a requirement of being sold used/untested. it's a pity there appears to be no supplier of the heathkit export style transformers (or at least I've not found one to date) as not just for heathkit etc but a lot of US 120v valve guitar amplifiers come here. Fender fit a 230v transformer to their exported valve amps so someone over in the US or Asia must still be making them. Correct, the 220/230 V versions came with the U suffix, but few have ever appeared in the US which is where I was getting some of my vintage test equipment (until eBay started adding GST to everything). You never know what you are going to get with the Heathkit stuff either - the IT-28 capacitor checker I bought from the US came with the standard two-pin plug, no U suffix, but it had the dual-primary transformer! Yes, there will be factories in Asia churning out transformers with 230 V primaries for US companies to fit to their export model units. If you are a manufacturer, the best idea is to have dual 120 volt primaries on the stuff you make as then it is likely to work in 90% of the countries around the world just by configuring or switching the primaries as needed.
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peter
Tinkerer
Retired, collector of vintage radios and test equipment for restoration and repair.
Posts: 97
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Post by peter on Sept 8, 2021 1:48:02 GMT 12
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Philconut
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Post by Philconut on Sept 8, 2021 8:06:54 GMT 12
Also the 6X5, EF86(maybe), ECL80 & 6U5 for $185.00!
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Philconut
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Post by Philconut on Sept 8, 2021 8:13:01 GMT 12
And what about all the drivel they write about them. "Rare red print types, long ladder anode plates, square shape metal getters " etc.
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Post by Admin on Sept 8, 2021 8:21:54 GMT 12
Was quite surprised to see that Fountain Gem 10-10 command such a price last week. $459 It was a nice example.
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Post by Radiotech on Sept 16, 2021 23:09:09 GMT 12
Was quite surprised to see that Fountain Gem 10-10 command such a price last week. $459 It was a nice example. They have been attracting a lot of interest of late. A nice unit, but not the easiest to work on.
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Philconut
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Post by Philconut on Sept 24, 2021 6:56:18 GMT 12
The latest is a NOS GZ34 for $175.00 described thus: BRITISH MULLARD GZ34 RECTIFIER VALVE WITH A WONDERFUL CLEAR WARM BRITISH SOUND.
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Post by Richard on Sept 24, 2021 8:35:53 GMT 12
The latest is a NOS GZ34 for $175.00 described thus: BRITISH MULLARD GZ34 RECTIFIER VALVE WITH A WONDERFUL CLEAR WARM BRITISH SOUND. Ha ha, I wonder what sound my American manufactured "80 Rectifier's" make? *rolls Eyes*
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Philconut
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Post by Philconut on Sept 24, 2021 19:03:17 GMT 12
I'll bet my 80S sounds better!
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Post by Kempy on Sept 25, 2021 14:47:52 GMT 12
The latest is a NOS GZ34 for $175.00 described thus: BRITISH MULLARD GZ34 RECTIFIER VALVE WITH A WONDERFUL CLEAR WARM BRITISH SOUND. Oddly enough they tend not to receive such glowing reviews when he wants to buy them.. (pun unintended)
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Post by Philconut on Sept 26, 2021 19:54:57 GMT 12
Ha. Someone was silly enough to pay $175 for the GZ34. Can't believe it!
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