Heathkit Condenser Checker
C-3
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I was given this condenser
checker by an old chap that worked for the BBC before WW2. He
worked in the recording department where they used wire recorders
which pre-dated tape recorders.
He said they could easily record
a 30 minute program but the reel of wire had to be lifted on
and off the recorder with a block and tackle as it weighed around
a hundredweight (in those daft French units that's about 50 Kgm).
I say daft because why should anyone want to weigh things in
terms of a fraction of the earth's diameter compared with a test
tube of water instead of something you can see and taste ie.
a bag of sweets weighs a quarter of a pound. |
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The condenser checker,
which actually tests resistors as well as condensers, was made
from a kit of parts and, like other equipments in Heath's range,
was accompanied by a banana coloured handbook which gave very
detailed assembly instructions. Click
the picture above to see it. Reading the instructions reveals
it also performs as an electrolytic capacitor ESR tester.
A few years ago, actually 31
when I think about it... I brought back from Texas a Heathkit
100 watt transceiver kit. In order to get round import and export
problems I spread the contents of the kit around my suitcase,
stuffing socks with bags of resistors etc. Unfortunately things
got a bit mixed up and following the instructions later wasn't
too straightforward. Their kits were first class and very well
presented. |
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Above.. the circuit diagram
of the condenser checker. Pity it's only US mains, and the way
it's connected ensures a 50/50 possible jolt when plugged into
the mains with the on/off switch in the off position.
Below is a schematic received
from Ken W7EKB which is his redesigned version of the C-3 using
a silicon HT rectifier rather than the triode-connected 1626
(see links at the end of this page) |
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I must dig out my example
and see if it works (not forgetting an autotransformer)! |