Tube Testing & Curve Tracing

[Bieworm]

This came out pretty cool:

futracer-v7.jpg

Dang!!!

[lavrgs]

This came out pretty cool:

futracer-v7.jpg

Dang!!!

DOUBLE DANG !!!!

[JMPGuitars]

This came out pretty cool:

futracer-v7.jpg

Dang!!!

DOUBLE DANG !!!!

Thanks for all your help with the enclosure design!

[Bieworm]

Dang!!!

DOUBLE DANG !!!!

Thanks for all your help with the enclosure design!

Too bad you didn't use Papyrus
very pro device!!!
how do you calibrate it?

[JMPGuitars]

Too bad you didn't use Papyrus
very pro device!!!
how do you calibrate it?

Papyrus would be on the super special upgrade model.

I built a website that details everything from building, to calibration, to basic uses. Here's the calibration wizard tutorial: https://futracer.com/curve-tracer/calib ... on-wizard/

Thanks,
Josh

[roadshow]

Looks real nice.

A few years back I built one of these:
https://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html

You can find my example build among those posted as built kits.

[JMPGuitars]

Looks real nice.

A few years back I built one of these:
https://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html

You can find my example build among those posted as built kits.

Me too (3+). My terrible experience between the quality of his hardware/firmware/personality led to the creation of this one.

[roadshow]

Looks real nice.

A few years back I built one of these:
https://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html

You can find my example build among those posted as built kits.

Me too (3+). My terrible experience between the quality of his hardware/firmware/personality led to the creation of this one.

Gotcha. Sorry you had issues, I really didn't, but you're way ahead of me. I think I'll take a close look at yours. It looks excellent and very reasonably priced.

[JMPGuitars]

Gotcha. Sorry you had issues, I really didn't, but you're way ahead of me. I think I'll take a close look at yours. It looks excellent and very reasonably priced.

I have other people coming from a uT background also, and they LOVE the differences/improvements in this.

Regarding pricing, keep in mind that you need to supply your own parts. There are BOMs on the futracer.com site to help get a good idea of the cost.

I'm also probably going to order some more enclosure sets soon too for people interested in making their own testers, without having to do any metalwork.

[Daviedawg]

Now I understand the source of the name for your unit.

Dd

[JMPGuitars]

Here's the final v7 of the FUtracer & official enclosure:

futracer7.jpg

I'd say it came out kinda perty.

[lavrgs]

Agreed

[JMPGuitars]

The scammers/spammers are after my tube tracer stuff now. Check out these lies I received in some SPAM:

We work with tube curve tracer suppliers to increase their customers through lead generation and online campaigns.

For example, a social sharing contest we launched for one of our clients generated them 287 new referrals in 27 days.

Priceless entertainment. There's SO many tube curve tracer suppliers.

[lavrgs]

Today I'm going to retreive the kit from a friend, who needed a project. He soldered all available parts to the PCB so I will start checking. There were a couple items that were back ordered when I bought most of the components. I know have all the parts for the PCB, with one exception; I ordered WIMA caps by cutting and pasting from the BOM and I received the correct value but it came in KING KONG size 9-). I will evaluate my next move on that component. I will review all the other hardware, I recall there were a couple items still to get.
My machine hobby* is currently taking most of my time, so as the master of the "slow build" I will have to put some serious effort into completing the tester.
*https://photos.app.goo.gl/244YnF9ykyUf7mfq7

[JMPGuitars]

Today I'm going to retreive the kit from a friend, who needed a project. He soldered all available parts to the PCB so I will start checking. There were a couple items that were back ordered when I bought most of the components. I know have all the parts for the PCB, with one exception; I ordered WIMA caps by cutting and pasting from the BOM and I received the correct value but it came in KING KONG size 9-). I will evaluate my next move on that component. I will review all the other hardware, I recall there were a couple items still to get.
My machine hobby* is currently taking most of my time, so as the master of the "slow build" I will have to put some serious effort into completing the tester.
*https://photos.app.goo.gl/244YnF9ykyUf7mfq7

lol, yeah, you're definitely the master of the slow build. Did you ever finish your Tremolo TMB?

Which caps do you need? Last I checked, the BOM on Mouser was all good.

[lavrgs]

I have two amp projects that have been on the bench for well over a year...the champ radio - 5f1 circuit going into a vintage 1942 radio...and the TMB
I just ordered the wrong caps...I was going to see if the leads fit into the vias before I order the proper size...EDIT They don't fit not sure how I ended up with those elephant sized caps...

[lavrgs]

All the boards are finished. One question on the Tube board - which fuses are used I have 0.5A and 1.6A were part of the Mouser BOM.
I'm going to assume 22 awg wire for all the connections since that is what the connectors are rated for.
What is the suggested p/n for the ferrite bead on the tube board wiring?

[JMPGuitars]

All the boards are finished. One question on the Tube board - which fuses are used I have 0.5A and 1.6A were part of the Mouser BOM.
I'm going to assume 22 awg wire for all the connections since that is what the connectors are rated for.
What is the suggested p/n for the ferrite bead on the tube board wiring?

The 0.5A are for the two fuses on the main board. The 1.6A are used everywhere else.

I think the ferrite core I use for the anode wire is the FSRH091160RN000T - available at arrow.com.

Thanks,
Josh

[lavrgs]

Is there a bring-up procedure or is it just plug and pray? Dim bulb tester...? Any voltages to check?
Is there any reading material on testing tubes? I don't know Jack, maybe an address?
I'm close to finishing - just cables and LEDs to go
I've downloaded the software - I'll try firing it up - do I need the tester connected or will it start just to see it up?

[JMPGuitars]

The website has all that info: https://futracer.com/curve-tracer/

First calibrate it with the top panel disconnected (calibrate it page).

Then the "Use It" page shows you some basic testing info.

You don't need to do anything fancy for startup, plug and pray is the way. That's what fuses are for!