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Heathkit Cap tester

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Posted on May 6, 2017 at 15:28:07
deafbykhorns
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Location: Florida
Joined: October 17, 2003
 Anyone notice that the Heathkit IT11,28 have almost tripled in price since a video was posted a few weeks ago? Any modern day versions of this type of tester? Besides an ESR

 

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RE: Heathkit Cap tester, posted on May 6, 2017 at 18:20:01
Uncle Mike
 I have a Wavetec Meterman CR50 that I have used for some years now. I also have a Heathkit cap tester that has been sitting in a closet for years. Time to dust it off I suppose.

 

RE: Heathkit Cap tester, posted on May 6, 2017 at 19:43:28
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10045
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 I don't know how much they were a month ago, but I looked on eBay after reading your post. You're right, they're way overpriced, some at $300. I have a Lafayette cap tester, pretty similar to the Heathkits, but I haven't used it in years. Modern instruments are more accurate, plus they measure ESR. They're also inexpensive. The high voltage leakage test of the older testers can be duplicated if you have a variable HV supply. If you don't, that would be a much better use for $300 IMO.






 

In weak defense of the Heath cap checker..., posted on May 6, 2017 at 21:13:52
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 12364
Location: SE MI
Joined: September 6, 2001
 1. It's convenient in that it combines measuring, leakage and reforming capabilities in one unit.
2. It can test for leakage at up to 600VDC. Many common bench supplies don't go that high.
3. Test current is low so probably safer than a bench supply.
4. It uses a bridge circuit for value measurement so less prone to whacked out readings when leakage (effectively, parallel resistance) is present.
5. It measures PF which is related to ESR.
6. It can measure resistance and inductance (using external inductance reference).
7. It's easily and readily maintainable.
8. It permits use of external references for R,C & L.
9. It permits use of external bridge energizing frequencies up to 10KHz.
10. It's abuse tolerant in that all active elements are vacuum tubes.

But for all these advantages and capabilities, $300 is an excessive and surely temporary "fad" price. <<$100 is more like it.

 

Not so weak - many good points! (nt), posted on May 8, 2017 at 06:33:35
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10045
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 nada aqui

 

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