EICO Model 625 Tube Tester - Restore to Operation

I've had this IECO Model 625 Tube Tester for years but have never tried it out. It's time to get it operating so it can be useful in my shop.

[Theoobovril]

Congratulations on becoming a grandfather Jim...

[mecklenburgd]

Check that capacitor .005/.01uf that you replaced. I believe it was supposed to be connected to the 'short' bulb and not the line adjust pot. I cringed a little when you hooked it up. :) I have the same model I am giving the once over on. lol. Nice work.

[gordondolph]

There are 2 schematics for the Eico 625 in the public domain. The original schematic (likely for blue faced Eico) shows C1 and R7 as .01MFD and 500k ohms respectively. A later amended schematic (likely for later model grey faced Eico) shows C1 and R7 as .005MFD and 1M ohms respectively. All other components are the same. You have a later model Eico 625 and is the reason you see a .005MFD capacitor, which is correct. Great video!

[SIXSTRING]

The Eico 625 was one of the best emission testers ever made. I have a book by Igor Popovich that is dedicated to tube tester designs with all of the major ones of the era. He liked this one the best as a simple emission tester. I picked up an old GE emission tester from 1950 or so for $10. Very similar to the 625. I rebuilt it and just love it. Not very much info on it anywhere. Thank goodness it came with all the original paper work. I have a Hickok 539C, 6000A. Eico 666 and a B+K Dyna quick 500. I use that little GE most of the time unless I'm matching tubes and then I use the 539C, that wasn't cheap!! it was in pristine shape though. Good investment as they become more scarce I guess.

[Tysman]

When I restore vintage equipment I usually put down a soft cloth or towel to protect the meter or face from scratches or damage

[markrhine]

Dear Mr. Lindenas, Great video, I have learned a lot, I have an Eico 625 tube tester that was a kit, and it works perfectly, I need to restore it, and this video will be very useful to me.... Great Job....

[jDS-xhzq]

I have the Eico 625 and would like to replace:

miniature bulb (Part#2 /symbol B3 / #42 OVERLOAD)
+
miniature bulb (Part#3 / symbol B4 / NE-51 SHORT IND.)

Someone knows what are the values needed and where I can find these bulbs?

Thanks

[antonioruiz]

Muy buen video, tendrás el diagrama de eico 706 a ocilador

[rusty]

Hi, Jim.... At time mark 29:30 i am looking at your multi meter, and i was wondering where you got the stand for it.
Also, what is the test machine directly behind the tube tester? (6 knobs and a meter on it)

[SDsailor]

What type of capacitor did he replace it with anyone know? looks like polypropilene
Thank you

[cathound]

Just got one of these, wondering what the voltage rating is on the cap you replaced, I have a 1uf 50v cap not sure if 50v is high enough? What type of cap are you using?

[widecast]

Jim, the selector switch has a position for line adjust.

[worldmusic]

Thanks for this! I will be working on a less-pristine one shortly. Question: why not round file the connector a little to make more space for the power cord?

[dragongoff]

The 625 also came as a kit, so perhaps this unit was assembled by a hobbyist, not the factory.

[eduardoalfaro]

Que instrumento para medir los condensadores usa, Saludos

[stevec]

Speaking of devices that are death traps, I found an old Lafayette Radio tube tester at a thrift store and it has no isolation transformer at all! There is a small transformer that supplies filament voltages for the tubes but the AC is just rectified and then goes directly to all the switches and tube socked pins in the device! The chassis is not grounded and it doesn't even have a polarized AC plug so it's not safe to touch any part of the device.

[harryshector]

Line adjust is the most clockwise position of the "Selector" switch.