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Precision 10 -12
"Tube Master"
1947
Precision Apparatus Company Inc.,
70 - 31 84th. Street
Glendale 27, Long Island, New York, USA
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Over the years I've owned a number of dynamic tube testers. Some
worked better then others but all of them worked well. The one model
that has always been my favorite is the Precision 10-12. This is a
well-designed tube tester that was first introduced in 1947 and was the
foundation model for the Precision 10-15, 10-20, 10-22, and the10-54
models. The 10-12 was designed to be portable but probably better off
being used as a bench type tester. The nicely finished wooden case looks
great for a tube tester but it wasn't very durable for true field usage
as from the many 10-12s I've seen, over the years, whose cases were
heavily scratched, stained, chipped, and overall looking battlefield
worn. To find a 10-12 with a case that's in really nice condition is
rare and usually expensive. A good example will usually sell for around
$150.
The one feature, that I believe, makes the Precision
10-12 stand out among any other dynamic tube tester is the range of
tubes that the 10-12 can test. Precision didn't try to outdate the 10-12
by limiting the number of tubes that it could test but, instead,
constantly updated the tube data right up to the early 1960s.
In the 1960s Coletronics Service Inc. began manufacturing
a number of adaptors under the brand names of Precision, Eico and
Coletronics which would test later developed tube types such as the 10
pin Decal, the 10 pin Miniture, the five pin and the 7 pin Nuvistor, the
Novar and the Compactron. These adaptors extended the 10-12s ability to
test a much wider range of tubes and, therefore, Coletronics published
more tube data publications for the 10-12 in the form of booklets and
supplements.
Today the 10-12 can test tubes issued from 1920 on up to
1975 and beyond, a feat few tube testers can boast. My Precision 10-12
can test more tubes then my Hickok 529C, Hickok 6000 with CA-4 adapter,
Precise 111 and my Triplett 3444 mutual conductance tube testers even
with all their supplemental data and tube adaptors. Only my Hickok
AN/USM-118B cardmatic tube tester might have a wider range.
I bought my Precision 10-12 from MAI/Prime Parts, a
electronics retail and surplus store located in Indianapolis, Indiana. I
bought it for the specific reason of using it as a field tube tester
whenever I attend hamfests, antique radio swap meets, etc. I'm confident
that any tube I come across, that my 10-12 or tube adaptor will
accommodate, I'll be able to test it.
I buy and sell a lot of tubes and so I need two tube
testers, one to help me buy my tubes and one to help me sell my tubes. I
use my 10-12 to test tubes that I plan to buy since I only need to know
if the tubes are either good or bad. Later when I sell my tubes, which
is usually do on ebay, I'll test them on either my Hickok 539C or on my
Triplett 3444 mutual conductance tube testers and post the results on my
auctions. I believe perspective tube buyers tend to buy with more
confidence tubes that have been tested on high quality, mutual
conductance, tube testers rather then on simpler dynamic tube testers.
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Tube and Rectifier Line Up:
5Y3-GT.....Rectifier
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Power Source:
AC...117 Volts
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Dimensions:
Height...7-3/4 inches
Width...18-3/16 inches
Depth...7-3/4 inches
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Operating Instructions for
Precision Electronamic Tube Master
Series 10-12 & 10-15
This owners manual covers the introduction and summery of
features, functions and description of controls, switches, levers,
etc.,operating instructions, Ballast information, qualitative paper
condenser tests, battery testing instructions, service notes, general
notes and information, principles of "Electronamic" tube testing and
schematic diagram. The manual measures 11 inches x 8 1/2 inches
and contains 17 pages, excluding front and back covers. The cover
is copyrighted 1950 and the inner pages are copyrighted 1952. Measures
8.5 x 11 inches.
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Supplementary Tube Chart
(Special Tube Classifications)
Series 10-12, 10-15, 10-20, 10-22, and 10-54 Tube and Test Masters
This supplement covers tubes that are deemed as obsolete,
infrequently encountered, and having special / limited applications.
Over the years Precision published several versions of this supplement,
each with it's own code number that corresponded with the most current
roll chart at the time. Example: a supplement with a code of (AB) was
meant to be matched up with roll chart MRC-(A2B) or a supplement
with a code of (EF) was meant to match up with roll chart
MRC-(E2F). Measures 8.5 x 11 inches.
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Supplementary Tube Data
Form - MRC (GK)
This booklet covers infrequently encountered tubes types,
obsolete tube types, tubes manufactured for special or limited
applications, Western Electric tubes and forign tubes. Some of the tubes
listed require a socket adaptor for testing. This booklet is good for
use with Precision models 10-12, 10-15, 10-20, 10-22, and 10-54.
Measures 7.5 x 5.5 inches.
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Addendum to MRC Supplement
The Addendum is an additional data supplement to be
attached to the MRC supplement booklet (GK). It consists of 6 pages, 5
pages covering the additional American and foreign tubes and 1 page
consisting of a a list of the American equivalents of foreign tubes that
are listed on this and various past supplements. This supplement is
dated 3-61. Measures 7.5 x 5.5 inches.
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Manufacturer's Description and Highlighted Features
The Series 10-12 and 10-15 "Electronamic Tube-Masters are
modern push button, master-lever type operated Vacuum tube and battery
testers, incorporating the Electronamic Master tube testing circuit,
designed by Precision engineers to indicate the overall performance
merit of a vacuum tube in only one direct meter reading. See "PRINCIPLES
OF ELECTRONAMIC TUBE TESTING" which details this "Precision feature at
rear of this manual.
The MASTER ELEMENT LEVER SELECTOR system incorporated in
all ELECTRONAMIC "TUBE-MASTERS" provides the ultimate in testing
flexibility and positive insurance against NON OBSOLESCENCE. THE
PRECISION "TUBE MASTER" incorporates: 12 individual element selection
circuits, all latest type tube sockets, master control socket for tubes
yet to be designed, and other carefully engineered PRECISION features.
These farsighted features guarantee years of successful and trouble-free
vacuum tube testing performance.
SUMMARY OF FEATURES:
1. A "PRECISION" DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TESTING CIRCUIT; (the
"ELECTRONAMIC" circuit) which instantaneously subjects a tube to wide
range operating conditions, simultaneous with the application of
individual, predetermined element voltages.
2. ACCOMMODATES ALL MODERN TUBE TYPES AND FILAMENT VOLTAGES .75 to 117
volts, including .75, 10, 18.9, 35, 45, 50, 70, 85 and 117 volts. TESTS
NOVAL BUTTON 9 PIN TUBES, SUBMINIATURE TYPES, DOUBLE CAP U.H.F. TYPES,
LOKTALS, BANTAM JUNIORS (Miniature Hearing Aid and Pocket Radio Tubes),
SINGLE ENDED (T,V, and F.M. Amplifiers) REGULAR OCTALS (MG, G and
METALS), SPRAY-SHIELD and GLASS TYPES, MINIATURE 7 PIN TYPES and ACORN
TUBES.
3. QUALITATIVE TUBE MERIT readings directly indicated on a single three
colored ENGLISH READING SCALE supplemented by a linear scale for tube
matching and qualitative comparison purposes.
4. QUALITATIVE DIRECT READING DRY BATTERY TESTS: Tests all popular dry
batteries, from 1.5 to 135 volts, under specific predetermined approved
loads.
5. DOUBLE WINDOW, BRASS GEAR-OPERATED ROLLER TUBE CHART provides speedy,
easy reading tube references. New charts furnished periodically, upon
request, as $ no-charge PRECISION SERVICE to all registered owners.
6. DUAL FREE-POINT FILAMENT TERMINAL SELECTION locates terminals of ALL
filaments (single, double, center-tapped) regardless of rotating pin
position common to many modern FM and television tubes.
7, VISIBLE FILAMENT CONTINUITY TESTS; rapidly performed by the PRECISION
NUMBERED PUSH BUTTON SYSTEM; shows up open filaments for all types of
tubes regardless of filament base connections. In addition, this
PRECISION feature immediately reveals the open section of tapped
filaments.
8. MASTER ELEMENT LEVER OPERATED SELECTOR SYSTEM: This highly important
PRECISION feature COMPLETELY ELIMINATES ALL POSSIBILITIES OF
INFLEXIBILITY due to unusual multiple tube basing terminations of new
tubes and tubes yet to be developed. Maximum speed in the use of the
lever system is accomplished by the unique fool-proof MASTER LEVER
RETURN MECHANISM which allows for instantaneous return of ALL levers to
"Normal" position before testing a tube. Individual time-consuming
return of each lever is thereby completely eliminated. In addition,
simplified tube analysis is made possible by the standard element
numbering system employed.
9. SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL LOADS AND VOLTAGES (control grid, screen, plate,
etc.) applied to each respective element of tube under test.
10. METER READS IN PLATE CIRCUIT ONLY. Indications, therefore, are
entirely dependent upon control action and condition of ALL intervening
elements.
11. OPEN ELEMENTS: Shows up tubes with open elements. The exclusive
"ELECTRONAMIC" TUBE MASTER TEST NECESSITATES ALL ELEMENTS INTACT for
proper reading.
12. TESTS diodes, triodes, rectifiers, tetrodes, pentodes, multi-purpose
tubes, gaseous types such as OY4, OZ3 and OZ4 and remote control
gaseous types such as OA4 and 2A4, regardless of varying filaments or
other element positions.
13. MULTI-SECTION TUBES: Individual tests for each section of
multi-section tubes including visible tests of the fluorescent screen,
winking effect on cathode ray indicator tubes and FM/AM alignment ray
indicator tubes. No shifting of tubes is necessary to obtain all tests.
14. HOT CATHODE LEAKAGE TEST: Sensitive neon method quickly shows up
poor cathode structure in accord with leakage specifications of leading
tube manufacturers.
15. DUAL SENSITIVITY HOT INTER-ELEMENT SHORT TESTS made ingeniously
simple through the use of PRECISION Automatic Interlocking Push-Buttons,
and lens-protected magnified neon lamp. Double sensitivity is made
available through the flip of a switch to permit special application
tube selection to more rigid standards.
16. NOISE TEST pin jacks incorporated for earphone or amplifier
connection. Each element can be separately noise tested through use of
free-point Automatic Interlocking PUSH-BUTTON SYSTEM.
17. BALLAST TEST: The regular tube test sockets accommodate all ballast
unit tests for open and loose elements and leakage between sections of
multi-section ballasts; made possible through the PRECISION rapid-action
Push-Button system.
18. PILOT LIGHT TESTS for all miniature screw base and bayonet type lamps.
19. ACCURACY of the tube test circuit is closely maintained by the use
of individual calibrating controls, adjusted and sealed at the factory
against laboratory standards, and through use of individual, 3%
bridge-calibrated wire wound shunts.
20. LARCH EASY-TA-READ D'Arsonval double-jeweled Meter, accurately balanced and factory-calibrated to within 4 2.0 percent.
21. TUBE SELECTION REFERENCES plainly marked on panel in large easy-to-read characters, eliminating memorization or guesswork.
22. PILOT LIGHT ON-OFF INDICATOR.
23. PANEL MOUNTED FUSE EXTRACTOR POST.
24. MICRO-LINE ADJUSTMENT, read directly on meter, provided by use of continuously variable, heavy duty line voltage control.
25. TELEPHONE-CABLED PLASTIC INSULATED WIRING EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT.
Critical circuits individually shielded and by-passed for most accurate
tests of very high mutual conductance TV and FM amplifiers.
26. PAPER CONDENSER LEAKER TESTS. SENSITIVE NEON METHOD.
27. TEST CIRCUITS COMPLETELY ISOLATED FROM POWER LINE.
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Socket Adapter A-15
Coletronics Service, Inc.
1744 Rockaway Ave.,
Hewlett, Long Island, New York, USA
This socket adapter was designed for the older model Precision
and Eico tube testers so that they would be able to test the newer tubes
that were on the market during the 1960s and 1970s. This adapter
features tube sockets for 10 pin decal, 10 pin miniature, 5 pin
Nuvister, 7 pin Nuvistor, Novar, and Compactron tubes. Coletronics
manufactured tube adapters under the brand names of Precision, Eico and
Coletronics.
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Roll Chart
MARC-(F2B)
This 16 page booklet covers all of the tubes that would
have normally been found on a Precision roll chart. The tubes listed in
this booklet were considered to be all of the tubes that were currently
still in use at the time of booklet's printing. This booklet was
originally offered in spin bound form and it's measurements are 8.5 x 11
inches. spin bound form and it's measurements are 8.5 x 11 inches.
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Tube Data
4-1-74
This 42 page booklet covers all of the American and foreign
tubes that require the use of the Coletronics A-15 tube adapter along
with additional tubes that could be tested by the tube tester
itself. There are a few special European 8 pin minature tube
listings that require the usage of the Coletronics G-118 magnoval
adaptor to test them. This booklet was meant to be a supplement to the
MRC series Roll Chart booklet and was offered in spin bound form with
the measurements of 8.5 x 11 inches.
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New Tube Releases
for use with
MRC 4-1-74 Data Book
Coletronics periodically issued 2 page fliers to update the Tube
Data 4-1-74 booklet with the latest tubes. I have three such fliers
which are dated 7-15-74, 2-15-75, and 11-1-75 respectively. The latest
known update is 2-1-78. Measurements are 8.5 x 11 inches.
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Procedure for use of TV PICTURE ADAPTER CABLE-PTA with "PRECISION" TUBE TESTERS
SERIES PTA(3-54)
This 2 page manual covers the general operating instructions and
test values for using the 12 pin Precision CRT Tube Adapter. This
manual covers all of the test settings for Precision models 612, 614,
620, 654, 910, 912, 914, 915, 920, 922, 954, 10-12, 10-15, 10-20, 10-22,
and 10-54. Measurements are 8.5 x 11 inches.
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This web page was last updated: November 25, 2016
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