{"id":393,"date":"2010-10-19T20:49:38","date_gmt":"2010-10-19T20:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vacuum-tube.eu\/wp\/?p=393"},"modified":"2024-07-12T20:55:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T20:55:01","slug":"l1-3l3-3-vacuum-tubevalve-tester-user-manual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vacuum-tube.eu\/wp\/?p=393","title":{"rendered":"L1-3\/L3-3 Vacuum Tube\/Valve Tester User Manual"},"content":{"rendered":"

WARNING:<\/span><\/strong> This is preliminary version of manual, I will update it later with pictures, more tube samples, and restoration walk-through. Please note this manual have some Cyrillic writings originally found on these devices, so make sure your browser display them correctly.<\/p>\n

L1-3 and L3-3 are among the best and powerful transconductance vacuum tube (valve) testers ever made. They are identical in terms of features but L1-3 uses 5C4M vacuum tube diode instead of solid-state rectifier of L3-3. These testers can be used with almost any commodity vacuum tube imaginable as long as filament current is less or equal to 2.5A \u2013 3A. Twin\/combines tubes tested separately, each with its own card board. Parameters are set via perforated card boards (or just using pin # if card is not available), and bunch of switches and potentiometers. L1-3\/L3-3 allow test emission, transconductance (using Sergeev’s topology), leakage and reverse grid current.<\/p>\n

Manuals of Soviet era equipment are usually unclear, poorly organized, and confusing. For example, one of the most important parameters – maximum rated value of filament current. I have 2 slightly different manuals of L3-3, one states 1.2A and another 3A, in range of 1 \u2013 14V (for L1-3 \u2013 only 1.2A). However, in the same L1-3 manual I see tubes approved for testing like 6N13S (6080) and 5C3S with 2.5A and 2.7-3.3A filament current respectively. I’m was able to successfully test on L1-3 twin triode RCA 6080 with 2.5A filament current (line voltage regulator becomes very hot, but this is normal for L1-3).<\/p>\n

Quick download links to manuals and cards:<\/span><\/strong>
\nL1-3 User Manual and Schematic<\/a> (DJVU format)
\nL3-3 User Manual and Schematic<\/a> (DJVU format)
\nStandard (stock) L3-3 Cards<\/a> (large zip archive)
\nMany custom-designed cards (Archive#1<\/a> + Archive#2<\/a>) from forum cxem.net<\/a> (2 large zip archives)<\/p>\n

WARNING:<\/span> Please perform these steps EXACTLY<\/span><\/span> as described! Failing to do so may damage tester and burn certain components!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vacuum tubes are powered instantly when you insert them, use gloves to prevent heat damage of skin! Remember, temperature of glass envelope is typically around 200 \u2013 250 degree C.<\/p>\n

Remove all pins from the tube parameter setup panel if any.<\/p>\n

L1-3 and L3-3 have 2 parameter setup panels with 72 holes each. Further panels will be referred as \u201cI\u201d (top) and \u201cII\u201d (bottom, right above micro-ampermeter).<\/p>\n

Put fuse into corresponding slot position (220V, 127V, etc.). Do NOT turn on yet.<\/p>\n

Verify if scale is mechanically OK and is in position \u201c0\u201d.<\/p>\n

Potentiometers Un (“\u0413\u0420\u0423\u0411\u041e” and “\u041f\u041b\u0410\u0412\u041d\u041e”), Ua, Uc1, Uc2 \u2013 left position (counterclockwise)<\/p>\n

Rotary switch \u0418\u0417\u041e\u041b\u042f\u0426\u0418\u042f \u2013 position \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u201d, switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – 250.<\/p>\n

Rocket switches \u201cMKA\u201d and \u201cS\u201d – position \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d<\/p>\n

Open slide doors, turn on tester, and wait for 30 min.<\/p>\n

WARNIGN: L1-3 have power line voltage regulator (huge wire-wound potentiometer) located next to the left door. It becomes VERY hot, so be careful!<\/p>\n

Preliminary check of voltages<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rotary switch \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041e\u041b\u042f\u0426\u0418\u042f\u201d \u2013 position \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u201d, rocket switches \u201cMKA\u201d and \u201cS\u201d – position \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d.<\/p>\n

Checking power line voltage. Push button \u201c\u0421\u0415\u0422\u042c\u201d and use potentiometer (L1-3) or rotary switch (L3-3) \u201c\u0421\u0415\u0422\u042c\u201d to adjust scale to \u201c120\u201d.<\/p>\n

Take 5 pins and insert them into 1\/I (Uc1 = -65V), 20\/I (Uc2 = 300V), 26\/I (Ua = 300V), 40\/II and 52\/II (2x450V)<\/p>\n

Checking anode voltage. Rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – position \u201cUa\u201d. Push \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201cUa\u201d to adjust scale to \u201c120\u201d.<\/p>\n

Checking 250V voltage (used for system blocks). Push \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201c250V\u201d on right side (under slide door) of tester to set scale to \u201c120\u201d. Potentiometer is very tough and requires considerable force to turn. Use large screwdriver with insulated handle.<\/p>\n

Checking grid #1 voltage. Rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – position \u201cUc1\u201d (\u201c\u0421ETKA\u201d in Russian means \u201cgrid\u201d). Push \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201cUc1 – 65V\u201d to adjust scale to \u201c65\u201d (absolute value). Remove pin from 1\/I and insert into 2\/I. Push \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201cUc1 – 10V\u201d to adjust scale to \u201c10\u201d (absolute value).<\/p>\n

Checking grid #2 voltage. Rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – position \u201cUc2\u201d. Push \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201cUc2\u201d to adjust scale to \u201c120\u201d.<\/p>\n

Translation from Russian: \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041e\u041b\u042f\u0426\u0418\u042f\u201d – \u201cInsulation\u201d, \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d or \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d – measurement, \u201cMKA\u201d – micro-ampermeter, \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d or \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u201d – parameters, \u201c\u0421ETKA\u201d – grid of vacuum tube, \u201c\u0421\u0415\u0422\u042c\u201d – power line. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Checking filament voltage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Insert pins 69\/II, 70\/II (DC filament) and 66\/II, 72\/II. Then, one by one (one at time!), 21\/I, 22\/I, 23\/I, 24\/I, 19\/II, 20\/II, 21\/II, 22\/II. Filament voltage (shown on scale without pushing any additional buttons) should gradually drop.<\/p>\n

Calibration (to be performed regularly)<\/strong><\/p>\n

First of all, take corresponding perforated card board of any triode, tetrode, or penthode and insert pins.
\nDownload<\/strong> high-resolution photos<\/a> of the procedure<\/span>.
\nDo not insert any tube!!!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Calibrate transconductance tester (\u043a\u0440\u0443\u0442\u0438\u0437\u043d\u043e\u043c\u0435\u0442\u0440).<\/span> Rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – position \u201cS\u201d, rocket switch \u201cS\u201d \u2192 \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d Push button \u201d\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and adjust scale to \u201c120\u201d with potentiometer \u201cS\u201c – \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d. Then, put rocket switch \u201cS\u201d back into position \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u201d.
\nIf its not possible to set \u201c120\u201d value follow 11.12 of L3-3 user manual. Remove perforated card, vacuum tube (if any) and insert pins 20\/I, 26\/I, 40\/II, 52\/II. Rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d – position \u201cS\u201d, rocket switch \u201cS\u201d \u2192 \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d. Push and keep on button \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d, while adjusting potentiometer “\u0427\u0410\u0421\u0422\u041e\u0422\u0410” (frequency), located under hatch on left side of L3-3, to 150 (max scale value). AC voltage between pin 4\/I must be 450mV (potentiometer “\u0410\u041c\u041f\u041b\u0418\u0422\u0423\u0414\u0410” – amplitude), to be measured with voltmeter with high (!!!) input resistance. Further adjustments of transconductance meter described in 11.11 of L3-3 user manual.<\/p>\n

Set \u201c0\u201d of tube micro-ampermeter and calibrate it.<\/span>
\nTurn rotary switch \u201c\u041f\u0410\u0420\u0410\u041c\u0415\u0422\u0420\u042b\u201d into position \u201cIc1\u201d. Rocket switch \u201cMKA\u201d turn into \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d, push button \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201c0 MKA\u201d – \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d to set scale to \u201c0\u201d. If its not possible, use potentiometer \u201c\u0423\u0421\u0422 0\u201d on the left side next to the slide door. Potentiometer is very tough and requires considerable force to turn. Use large screwdriver with insulated handle.<\/p>\n

Turn rocket switch \u201cMKA\u201d into position \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d, push button \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420\u0415\u041d\u0418\u0415\u201d and use potentiometer \u201cMKA\u201d – \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d to set scale in position 120.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT! Turn rocket switch \u201cMKA\u201d back<\/span><\/strong> into position \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d. Remember – unless you calibrating device rocket switches\u00a0 \u201cS\u201d and \u201cMKA\u201d must be in position \u201c\u0418\u0417\u041c\u0415\u0420.\u201d (= Measurement).<\/p>\n

WARNING! It is prohibited to turn rocket switch ‘MKA\u201d and “S” in position \u201c\u041a\u0410\u041b\u0418\u0411\u0420.\u201d with installed vacuum tube for testing. You will burn several components in tester’s circuit!
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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