----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 7:39 PM Subject: [time-nuts] huntron tracker advice & troubleshooting withoutschematic advise
> Hi Everyone > > I have consistently had success repairing laboratory instruments(my > small business) when I have a schematic and I have consistently failed > without one, lots of opportunities are slipping threw my fingers. > > I want to invest in tools that will help me troubleshoot without a > schematic. I was thinking about getting a Huntron tracker. Has anyone > had any experience with one? Could you feedback? > > Are there other tools that have helped you fix circuit boards without a > schematic? > > Thanks in advance-Patrick Patrick, We have used that technique of quick troubleshooting some components off an on for forty years, long before the "Huntron tracker came about. I first saw an article about that method in a service bulletin from Sylvania back in the mid 60's. If you have an x-y scope or a scope that has and external horizontal input with variable gain, a small external circuit in addition to the scope will do the same thing as the Huntron tracker. This would give you the ability to play with it without spending any money. The circuit consists of a transformer with 3 to 6 volts out, a few resistors, diode or two and a switch. If needed I could find the original schematic, but doing a google on it turned up a couple of links, noted below. Inexpensive Curve Tracer http://www.fisica.ucn.cl/sochifi/actas/pdf/A039.pdf http://groups.google.com/group/rec.audio.tubes/browse_thread/thread/384a37553565e87b As others have noted in this thread, it doesn't fix anything but can be useful in "some" applications. It will quickly identify a short or open and with experience, identify most defective "discreet" semiconductors. In the case of complex IC's, I doubt it would be much use. If you research the Huntron tracker display results, you will see the patterns displayed in various semiconductor situations. As a general rule, servicing electronics, or about anything is simply a logic and deduction process. Basic knowledge of the components, theory of operation, and of the circuit under test is still necessary. Phil _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
