Creation Release! Some Great News, And A Protection Circuit!
Added 2023-08-02 11:52:45 +0000 UTCThe "creation" (Light) has been running for 20 Years, 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week, here are the plans to make one, (attachments below.) Some great news, and a protection circuit that will keep your meters safe. Enjoy!
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Comments
I have a B&K 747 Tube Tester that I will modify as shown, Thank you Mr. Carlson for an excellent modification.
Ron
2024-04-11 00:44:54 +0000 UTCAm I missing the instructions on how the light bar is made? Is it plastic or glass?
Golf League Tracker
2024-01-27 00:54:21 +0000 UTCI downloaded kicad a few weeks ago staring to play with it. I do like Fusion 360, however licensing for hobbyist is strict. What I do like is the ability to integrate any schematic/PCB directly into my 3D designs instantly. Assuming it does not crash.
Randy Hearn
2023-09-13 15:11:40 +0000 UTCWhat about using a capacitor dropper and two LEDs in opposite polarity of each other?
Daniel Bingamon
2023-08-17 10:34:22 +0000 UTCCan u share when you sourced the parts to make your nite lights? Maybe a little video on technique. Thanks again
Michael Miller
2023-08-07 01:14:00 +0000 UTCReally felt your pain bending that meter needle. I recently destroyed the meter movement in my Heathkit Millivoltmeter AV-3U. It kept sticking. I removed the faceplate and gently cleaned and tweaked the pivot screws and managed to clear the problem. Great! and then I slipped up refitting it and damaged the coil return spring and the needle beyond repair. I am currently on the lookout for a donor set. I have for now fitted a meter I obtained that I had to modify to fit. 50uA instead of 200uA. Had to add shunts and reverse the polarity and add mounting screws. It works (calibration is quite good) so I can still use it to align radios. It also looks neat, but hey it aint original and that really hurts. I'm glad you fixed yours.
David Moule
2023-08-06 22:18:22 +0000 UTCWhy not just use white LED's? I got a drawer full of them, also you didn't mention the orientation for maximum brightness, I have found that to be important when replacing dial lamps with LEDs
Flash Gordon
2023-08-06 14:14:16 +0000 UTCI have now found that I could get the Line Test readings back down by increasing the value of R9. Going to get back to this when I get a 6V 4700mf ordered and permanently installed.
Rob Schertler
2023-08-06 12:28:50 +0000 UTCPaul, do you think OEM's were sandbagging production, like Toyota and US Auto manufacturer's to keep inventory low and prices high??? Also, protect your IP by copywriting it. It is sad that the amount of time and energy that you put into these projects for the benefit of we the members gets highjacked by some stupid people.
Sean P. O'Connell
2023-08-05 22:40:09 +0000 UTCSince you are getting back to creating circuits again. It would be nice to have a circuit design session with using software like kicad. Pointers like trace sizing, component positions on the circuit board etc.
Rick Berg
2023-08-05 19:36:19 +0000 UTCHi Paul Some of the B&K 700 and 707 tube testers don't have the resistor 47R as the meter is 100R But they don't say which ones, so don't be putting a 47R resistor in if you find one with out a resistor, i have one of each and neither has a resistor fitted. the schematic is a little misleading. so all please be aware of this.
Steven bryan
2023-08-05 18:55:54 +0000 UTCI was wondering the same thing, as I’m looking at the HUGE meter in the Eico 249 VTVM I just went through!
Brent Horn
2023-08-05 00:26:09 +0000 UTCGood news on the component availability. Maybe now the Ultra Probe project can come to fruition.
Merritt Derr
2023-08-04 13:59:39 +0000 UTCYes, excessive heating of SMD components can greatly affect their life span. I watched white LED's turn blue while I heated them with my iron (in a very short time.)
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-04 13:36:20 +0000 UTCPaul, if temp is such a factor in the longevity of these LED’s, are SMD LED’s similarly affected?
Kurtzen Staph
2023-08-04 13:31:24 +0000 UTCHi Oliver. Double the resistance, and to keep things cool, double the Wattage.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-04 05:18:05 +0000 UTCPaul, could you please give an official statement for 240V suitable values for the resistors?
Oliver Prosperi
2023-08-03 21:26:57 +0000 UTCMany thanks for the meter protection trick. However, I found that I could NOT place a capacitor across the meter on my little Heathkit IT-17. It affected the Line Test readings. Also not sure if the reversed diodes in the video would protect my meter. At 100% deflection, it is running only 125mV at 0.98mA. I'm going to try 1N914's. They are more fragile, but I think they would react quicker.
Rob Schertler
2023-08-03 20:29:48 +0000 UTCHi Mark. The diodes clamp at .45V, the resistor would act as a fuse in a case like that. The diodes fail as a short, and their is little chance they would open before the resistor acts as that fuse. A additional fuse could be installed, but experimentation would be involved,
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-03 20:06:52 +0000 UTCJust the way it was drawn in 2003.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-03 19:56:10 +0000 UTCHi Helmut. To many variables left to chance: Even though the cap is X or Y rated, It's a cap, and it can short. (Think Safety.) LED's like very little to no reverse, the smaller you make that, the better the chance they will last.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-03 19:55:30 +0000 UTCin the night light pdf why did you not draw a line from the resistor to the cathode of the second LED? It makes me think there is an open circuit… Is there is a reason for this?
Ian Harris
2023-08-03 19:23:41 +0000 UTCI'm wondering if the Simpson analog meters (like the 260) would benefit from this circuit. I've not seen a schematic for one to see if it already has this kind of protection on it already or not.
Scott Morgan
2023-08-03 17:47:44 +0000 UTCPaul, what would speak against a small modification: * remove the 1N4007 diode (replace with wire) * wire the two LEDs anti-parallel instead of in series. This way each LED only sees a small reverse voltage (the forward voltage of the other LED), which is fine. And once done that, the 15k resistor could be substituted by a small capacitor (e.g., 100nF, Y2, 250V ~) so that you have a capacitive dropper instead of a resistive dropper. Any comments?
Helmut Heller
2023-08-03 12:07:19 +0000 UTCDouble the resistor to 30k
Helmut Heller
2023-08-03 12:00:05 +0000 UTC230 - 250V would probably be just a higher value resistor, but if you find the right value, can you post it here?
Brendan White
2023-08-03 10:40:40 +0000 UTCHow easy would it be to convert this for 240V ?
Brendan White
2023-08-03 10:39:28 +0000 UTC925R10 Full Size 10" Acrylic Hot Glue Stick - 25 lb Box - Walmart.com .
Paul Pruss
2023-08-03 03:25:34 +0000 UTCPaul, wouldn't you also want a current limiting device as well as the diodes? As I understand it, if there's a really bad short, the transformer secondary will be connected directly across the meter and 56-ohm resistor, with current flow limited only by resistor and transformer winding resistance. It seems to me that the meter might be protected - for a while, until the diodes melted - but you might be sacrificing the transformer. Probably the 56-ohm resistor would fail first, but perhaps a small instrumentation fuse (a 50 mA fast-blow, maybe) could be put in series as well?
Mark Moulding
2023-08-03 01:11:19 +0000 UTCHey, you can use a clamping forceps to hold the LED legs when soldering it. That tool does wonders! Nice little lamp, and good to hear that parts are now available.
Keri Szafir
2023-08-02 21:54:33 +0000 UTCPaul, don't some of us live in 220V world? I think that my experiment with the nightlight would be to double the resistance on that one, being that I, in fact, live in 220V land.
Rocco Rizzo
2023-08-02 21:43:08 +0000 UTCSay Hi to Charlie....thanks again Paul:)
John S. Johnson
2023-08-02 21:29:11 +0000 UTCOne of my ham radio elmers suggested doing exactly the same thing with meters in tube radios and other test equipment. He suggested 1N4148 diodes and they seem to work fine as well.
Benjamin Hall
2023-08-02 20:57:13 +0000 UTCWe build custom electronics at my work. The supply problems have gotten so bad that we won't use any component in a design unless we have it on-hand! Thankfully, we don't do high volume, so this is quite do-able. Glad to hear it's getting better. We've not seen this yet, but much of the components we use are not common parts, but makes sense once the common stuff comes back, then will the not-common stuff.
Benjamin Hall
2023-08-02 20:33:54 +0000 UTCGot the same question here - nice little box with the power prongs built in like that!
Benjamin Hall
2023-08-02 20:29:10 +0000 UTCI will use a resistor with the double of the values, or two together
Filipe Gomes ( CT9ABQ - M0IVC)
2023-08-02 20:17:44 +0000 UTCI use a heat gun in a very flat clean glass or marble work top, keep rolling the plastic tube to prevent burn, or use boiling water, then while in the worktop bring both ends too meet
Filipe Gomes ( CT9ABQ - M0IVC)
2023-08-02 20:16:33 +0000 UTCNice lights, will do a small mod for 250v here in Europe and will be ok. Glad you managed to repair the valve checker. And yes if we come across with anyone sharing your schematics we shall let you know. 73
Filipe Gomes ( CT9ABQ - M0IVC)
2023-08-02 20:14:37 +0000 UTCAll good news. Nifty lights. Any trick to bending the plastic tube?
Tom Harris
2023-08-02 19:35:53 +0000 UTCLook for STTH3R06RL. Digikey has 9k in stock of these. Tape and reel instead of ammopack. You can still purchase singles.
Michael Brown
2023-08-02 18:47:42 +0000 UTCYup gooooooood question.
Hans Engelen
2023-08-02 18:34:17 +0000 UTCSpeaking of Unobtanium parts, does anyone have a good sub for the MMBT5962 transistor in the Dual Display Capacitor Tester?
mark carmignani
2023-08-02 18:26:16 +0000 UTCwhat do I have to change for our 240 Volts system?
Ronald Cobet
2023-08-02 18:12:49 +0000 UTCHi Paul, I enjoy most of your videos, but honestly a DIY LED night light! I have about 8 LED night Lights in my house that have been active for almost 20 years. I can't remember one that has failed. Maybe you got a bad batch back then. I've also seen a few online sites that have analog meter protection, nothing new there. Hopefully you will have some really cool projects coming soon.... Thanks!
Tony Contrada
2023-08-02 17:33:48 +0000 UTCWow! My heart would have broken in half if I saw that meter do that. I can't thank you enough for that bit of advice on the meter. I am going to do it right away to both my Hickok and my Heathkit IT-17. That is an absolutely heroic piece of advice. Thanks, doesn't begin to cover it.
Leonard Peters
2023-08-02 16:37:48 +0000 UTCThe pandemic caused the shut down of the silicon foundries. Because foundries are designed for continuous running the crucible linings are likely to crack when cooling. Cracked linings are expensive to replace and in some cases uneconomical to do so. So, there was a period when silicon metal was in short supply. This leads to a shortage in the production of all semiconductor devices from cheap as chips diodes to expensive SOCs. There was also rationing of devices to markets external to the device manufacturers. So, devices produced in China mostly remained in China, etc. However, as foundries have come back on stream the supply of pure silicon metal is much improved and devices are reappearing on the world market.
Alice Chapman
2023-08-02 16:16:55 +0000 UTCThanks so much for this video! I have the same tube tester and will be making the meter protection mod.
Michael Calhoun
2023-08-02 16:10:54 +0000 UTCAnother excellent video, Paul and a great save on your metre. Hope you keep him well. Thanks for sharing.
Brian Wood
2023-08-02 15:12:35 +0000 UTCHey Paul, where did you get the box for the lamp? I am like you....tired of replacing bulbs. I would love to build one of this for my daughter's room, I know she would love this.
Andre Gopee
2023-08-02 15:10:57 +0000 UTCThe night lights are very nice made, i assume for 240V like here in Belgium, it's better to use 2x 62K 5W in parallel to create 31K @ 10W. Regarding the stock problem, i'm not a expert on that subject, but it seems that someone at the top of the ladder in the electronic industry is holding the cards, and has decided to cut down on the amount of produced components to get the chance for asking a higher price on the few available components. Then when this has taken a period of time, the production amount will come back at the normal level, and everybody is affraid that it will happen again, and starts buying large amount of parts. And this creates more money flow. It's not normal that in every branche like IT products, electronic parts, car industry etc there was a shortage on chips.
Bjorn V
2023-08-02 15:09:07 +0000 UTCThe Carlson Affect: STTH3R06 only two left at digikey or one at Mouser. Tons on Aliexpress (they will print what ever number you want on the diodes - great bonus!)
David Kuhn
2023-08-02 14:48:43 +0000 UTCI've also noticed that it's easier to find DIP ICs in stock the past month or so
Brian Ortiz
2023-08-02 14:32:07 +0000 UTCThanks for making the night light circuit available as a .pdf file!
John Puma
2023-08-02 13:49:37 +0000 UTCYes, Yes, Yes! Like me, I'm sure many of us here on Patreon are extremely happy that parts are coming back in stock and prices are coming down. Making projects was my main reason for joining Mr. Carlson's Patreon. Each month that went by with no new projects brought more sadness. Many times I considered cancelling my subscription. The parts shortage and pricing has been super frustrating. I usually order parts by the hundreds so I can get the best price and save on future shipping. But the last few months, prices of 2-3 dollars for one component prevented that. I can't wait to get back to building projects again!
Brad Shugart
2023-08-02 13:40:08 +0000 UTCThat nightlight is so very cool! Thanks again for sharing your inventions. Just fantastic. P.S. I must have 20, 30 broken nightlights floating around in various drawers around the house.
Tom Hogan
2023-08-02 13:37:24 +0000 UTCYes, I also noticed the availability of many parts I have been waiting for. I have so many projects in the queue, I don’t know where to start. Strangely enough, the project I have been poking at in my spare time for the last two weeks is a component characteristic system which will attach to a computer and run tests and traces on tubes, as well as other components. Your videos on tube testers are great. Thanks for pointing out the meter issue - I have four of these I need to recap and will have to order those diodes as part of the job.
KC
2023-08-02 13:35:14 +0000 UTCThe capacitor is polarized. It can only go either way .45 of a Volt. In most cases, (99% of the time) the meter won't work backwards. Absolutely fine to use a polarized cap.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-02 13:30:03 +0000 UTCThanks, Paul. The meter protection circuit could be useful on my B&K 607 Tube Tester. Is the 4700uF cap a non-polarized or standard electrolytic? I imagine it would be best to put a non-polarized cap there as currents could go either way.
kmpres
2023-08-02 13:10:00 +0000 UTCHi Robert. The rod is 5/16" diameter. Thanks for your kind comment!
Mr Carlson's Lab
2023-08-02 13:08:41 +0000 UTCSome people only care about themselves. They want to make money and don't care how they get it.
Robert Calk Jr.
2023-08-02 12:54:35 +0000 UTCThanks, Paul! That's a nice night light. So, it uses a flexible acrylic for the lightbar? Is it 1/4" in diameter? Great safety circuit for analog meters! I'm sure that will save a lot of heartache and frustration.
Robert Calk Jr.
2023-08-02 12:50:59 +0000 UTCThis is very cool, thanks for sharing!!
Jake F.
2023-08-02 12:48:27 +0000 UTCWhat a shame when people learn valuable content and almost for free and not respecting the author's copyrights. that's the least of respect one can show and a way to say a Big thanks to the master! Thanks Paul for all the great knowledge shared. I remember the days when I was a teen ager and had no one to explain to me what I'm looking at when I see a portable am radio open. so I'm grateful for the wonderful era we're living at and to all the people like yourself sharing and explaining to the world awesome things🙏.
hadi
2023-08-02 12:31:06 +0000 UTC
