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HICKOK 539CTUBE TESTER
So you want a Hickok 539B or 539C
The image above is a 1970's Hickok with fancy faceplate and Plastic Meter. Later they made a plain faceplate. At this time Hickok was getting out of the Tube Testing business.The main meter is plastic and really Non -Serviceable compared to the Glass/Bakelite version. It can be worked on but will not last, it's a cheap meter.
The two other meters are sealed and cannot be fixed.
Hickok is 40 years old on the newest models. They are old. No matter how good it looks on the outside it could cost you $500.00 to repair and align the inside.
I recently purchased a Hickok 539C on ebay. It was sold as:
“Hickok model 539C transconductance type tube tester in excellent condition. Physically nice both inside and out on case and tester, and the unit operates correctly. Very little use - roll chart moves easily and is bright white. No scratches or wear. 3 original manuals are included: the operating/troubleshooting manual with schematics, the foreign tube types supplement, and the obsolete tube types manual. Also included are the original warranty registration card and addendum sheets. Top cover, although not seen in the photo, is included and is in excellent condition w/ no tears or scrapes."
THE SELLER LIED
Physically the unit was very clean but not new looking as the seller told me in a e-mail, there were scratches on the faceplate. The vinyl has a number of tears that have been glued down with the wood markered/painted black. He said it came from a veteran home. The tester had been worked on many times. These testers need regular servicing!Electronically the unit had issues - Non Functioning:
The A, B, & C select did not work - meter swung to the end. Actually the meter stopped ¾ way because it jammed.I didn’t have the equipment to work on the unit so I called Roger Kennedy at alltubetestors.com.
First off that meter is non repairable (Hickock put the plastic meters in the 1970s to cut costs). A replacement would be required at $180.00 right there. The other issues could be anything including transformers etc. The other two smaller meters swing but are sealed and accuracy was unknown on one. Roger Kennedy who is known to fix these has worked on them since they were in production.
I'm getting a Paypal refund but I have to pay out the shipping back and at $60.00, I loose because the seller misrepresented the testor. He didn't want to pay for the repair because he said he could re-sell it on ebay. So he will play with it and sell it as-is and still get good money for an old tester.
REMEMBER THESE TUBE TESTERS ARE OLD AND UNDERSTAND THAT THEY GOT A LOT OF USE NO MATTER HOW NICE IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE. BE WARNED!
THE SELLER LIED
Guide created: 05/20/08 (updated 11/13/09)
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