Russian L3-3 tube tester

 

Test cards for L3-3. Complete package.

When ordering, just use order number 380-178-66. The price is 75 Euro if the buyer address is outside Europe. In Europe we have to add 19%VAT tax, which makes the total 89.25 Euro (which includes 14,25 VAT tax).


The good thing: No shipment cost, and we can send the item by email. Unless you order some goods along with it, in that case we send it on CD.

What is offered?

You receive is the full package of cards, in pdf form, the way we use it here in our company, and we made those cards only for our own use. We did so best way we could. But.....

Legally, we must say, the purpose of these cards is only to show you, what we use in our own company, and there is no other purpose. Please understand the legal reasons why we have to say this.

Emission Testing

This is the most difficult part of tube testing. Emission is not clearly defined what that is, so before you know it, we are comparing apples with bananas. That the first difficulty. So there are several methods for that, some of which are well thought of, some simplify it, some making it misleading, and in the end comes just plain stupid stuff. The only thing these methods have in common is, the simpler it is, the more people like it. Many times such an approach is not very ideal.

Emission for the tube manufacturer, is the short circuit test. This test is not possible to repeat. It is done with a short impulse, trying to get maximum peak current from the tube. Though it is not good the tube, it has to be done, and of done wrong it causes permanent damage. Even the tube manufacturer will not repeat it, after the tube is sealed. This is the real emission test, and the result is, peak current can be a factor 3...5 above maximum specified. .

Now on the bench, we mean to do something else. People want to know if the tube is 100%. Assuming that is what new tubes are. Though it gets a bit strange when a new tube is 120%, like a bottle can also not be filled with 120%. So whatever we measure, as a replacement for a REAL emission test, it should not be something much larger than 100%.

The following text, please take it with a grain of salt. Believe it or not, but not only makers of tube testers have thought about how to test tubes. We have found evidence, leading to the assumption that producers of tubes, must have though about this as well. This sounds unbelievable, but it seems they really did. Even so, their ideas were published, and not just that. These documents are still available! Isn't that amazing? So if you thought, forum babble is the only source of pre digested information? No.... it is not. The original data sheets of old tubes can be found on line. So all we need to do, is read those data sheets, and voila! No more need for forum gurus. Simply read data sheets of high quality tubes, as published by their makers. That is all we need to do.

But let's have a look at such genuine informations. Perhaps Telefunken is a good brand. So what is a very expensive Telefunken tube? How about ECC803S? How to test it? Do you think Telefunken recommends an uncalibrated tube checker, and if the tube tests in the green, the tubes is good. And then of course, the greener, the better. Do you think this is professional? Or will they say to test the tube with cold anode and fixed grid voltage, and undefined plate current resulting from this, and then measure Gm at this random plate current? How about that? Do you think that is professional? Probably it is not, because I do not see this written in the ECC803S data sheet. (But I do see this only in the manuals of impulse testers... mmm?!) .

But then, what IS Telefunken is saying in the ECC803S data sheet? If you ask this now, it means you still have not read the data sheet.

They say you must test the tube AUTOBIAS in a real circuit, which they even specify in the ECC803S data sheet.

Here is a screen shot:

Now what do we see in this data sheet at 250V:

Cathode Resistor = 1k6 (so that is auto bias - have you noticed?)
Test results Ia = 1.2 ....1.4mA
Test results Gm = 1.3 ....1.95 mA/V

Also they tell you what tests results a new, out of the box tube must have, and at what test data you need to replace a used tube.

As you can see, they apply -4V to the grid (With Cathode Resistor 1k6) and then Ia is cut off. So that is the cut-off test. But that is not the emission test.

So where has the grid voltage gone? Well it is auto bias, so the grid is grounded.

THAT is the Telefunken test circuit. If I compare this with those digital testers, simply attach -2V to the grid, no auto bias resistor, and directly convert plate current into "Percent of Emission", this is so blatantly wrong, I have no good words for this kind of stupidity.

On the L3-3 cards we have printed an individual formula, for each tube, how to calculate Emission in a much better way. This needs an individual factor for each tube. This method simulates Auto bias by adjusting the plate current by hand, to the data sheet value. You can read here for some more information and an example for 6SN7.

The cards

The current package has 189 cards. This will bring your L3-3 tester to another level.

  • Most of it are tube test cards.
  • Lab cards, to check the tester itself.
  • Instruction cards. Just good reminders, having the same dimensions as other cards.
  • Auto Bias test cards. To decide if tubes are good or bad.
  • Auto Bias cards for external bias resistor. For circuit design. So test out the bias of the tubes which these cards are made for. (Not for every tube)
  • Emission Test cards. To estimate remaining lifetime, by Funke W19 system. For some of the relevant tubes, like E88CC and ECC83, for which this test works very nice.
  • Some of the most used Voltage Stabilizers.
  • Universal card for Neon Lamps.
  • EL34 Magic Eye test card.
  • Rectifier test cards.
  • Universal card in color
  • Lab Power supply card.
  • Some Burn in cards
  • Rejunivation cards for: 2A3, 300B, 6SN7, 211 and 845
  • Internal Factory Tests of TESLA KT88 simulated ( I have original documents)

Printing these cards

DOWNLOAD CARD SAMPLE HERE. To see if you can print it well. These are working cards.

WARNING:

This tester is a highly professional, and voltage and current can be very high. There are specific points on the pins deck, with 1100 Volts between them! Do not use it at the level of a Hickok tester or a multi meter. Follow this link to increase the safety, while working with this tester:

Safety Warnings

When I opened the lid of my first L3-3, I thought Oh no, what a mistake to buy this! Later, I realized, there is simply no better tester for the money. Roger Kennedy, one of the best tube testing experts in USA, brought some of the genius details of the Gm bandwidth filter to my attention. The original cards are in Russian, which is difficult, when you are, like most people, not a Russian.

The Russians use partially the same letters as we, but add to this several letters of their own, so the variety of written sounds and symbols is richer. To make it nicer, they exchange some letters, like replace S with C. Or they use "almost" the same like the mathematical Pi symbol for a small letter P, and the "micro" symbol for a small letter u. Use the Ω symbol for am O Like "Omega". And add some letters which look like borrowed from Chinese, like: ж which is pronounced "sssh" and is pronounced and written the same in Chinese, where it means 'bug'. Add to this, the handbook is only in Russian, with some amateur translations just in a few languages available. I do have a Russian text version (so not scanned pdf) and this translates in Google gets better every year. One of the greatest testers ever made. The days where you could bought them for 200 Euro via the Ukraine are gone, but really they cost that little for two decades. You must have noticed that, if you were interested before. Today the go for 800 Euro or more. To my opinion absolutely worth it. They run on any voltage and frequency, but.... no cards. There is no manual how to make them, and trial and error, can and will damage the tester. Believe me, I learned my lesson with that. Same thing with some pdf printed free cards which are ghosting around in the internet. I damaged one of my testers with a bad rectifier card for RGN1064. Which was the moment when I decided to never use these any more.

Now for the positive things. This this tester can do almost any tube there is! After spending days, making a few new cards, and still unsure if they have mistakes, I decided to write software for this. What is needed is the basic set up of a specific tube type, this can only be done (safely) by taking a similar, 100% proven good card, then enter the datasheet information in the software, and voila: A new card. As far as I know, these cards run also on the earlier versions Kaliber testers, so not just L3-3. Please verify yourself if a lower type works on L3-3 cards. If it does, you can use these cards also.

Click here for general information about how to test amplifier tubes with this tester.

At first I made these cards only for myself, but some friends wanted them also, so I have put them up for sale. I need to maintain a color laser printer just for this only. If I would use the office printer, then after each windows update the card dimensions might be changed, and the cards would not fit the holes nicely. Microsoft produced a few jokes like this already. Even length and width ratio they like to change with updates.

So all in all it is a lot of work making a set of cards, and it hardly covers the cost. They are plastified, and I have to hand punch the holes with a tool. Also designing a new card is not easy. There is no guidance of any kind, and the options to make mistakes are many. So I am always grateful for good suggestions if a card needs am improvement. Many good ideas have also come from other users, and are included in newer versions.

When you are satisfied with the cards, I would much recommend you the three-scale meter face plate, so reading can be done without calculator. Also the "quick settings" which I have on the card is very useful, BUT this uses the '15' scale, which standard meters don't have. So you need to use the '150' scale instead.

Like that, for a set of personal cards, and a new meter face plate, you spend perhaps 130 Euro all together, but this brings your L3-3 at a fully other level. For instance I have a customer with a HiFi shop, and all he does, is testing KT88, ECC83, and 5U4G. For him the small investment payed off after one amplifier repair.

Available cards (Continuously expanded)

Card Number Description Part 1) Cards to check the tube tester itself
380-064-91
Card #1:
Universal Card L3-3
This card has all appr 130 holes. For the function and the use of the universal card: Read all text here.

 

Card #2:
Empty space for new to be made card.
380-052-26
Card #3:
Instruction card.
No settings
Heater to cathode Leakage. This kind of leakage is very useful to test, with tubes, that can be source for hum. That is usually all pre-amp tubes, but also tubes like KT88 or EL34 if used with AC heating in the music amplifier. It is only a card, with pictures 'how to do this '. It has the same dimensions as the other cards. The L3-3 handbook explains this measurement too complicated. So this card is handy every time you want to do such a measurement. Read all text here.
380-057-35
Card #4:
Instruction card.
No settings
Grid1 Leakage may develop when tubes get older, or at high temperature. It can be caused by gas, by grid emission, contamination inside the bulb, or dirt inside the socket. .Also grid leakage appears like a form of damage when tubes were over heated. Grid leakage change the bias of the tubes, causing damage at tube or amplifier. Even so, when leakage is caused by gas, the tubes can spark unexpected. The L3-3 handbook explains this measurement too complicated. So this card is handy every time you want to do such a measurement. Read all text here.
380-078-62
Card # 5+6. Transformer tests.
This order number is for two cards. With those you can test most windings of the mains transformer, and in addition verify if the internal mains calibration of the tester is correct. This test is much recommended for any unknown tester, like when you just bought it. Some people damage the mains transformer, or burn the cable tree, and the tester still works, but with limited precision. Typically such a tester gets sold on Ebay, as feedback on Ebay is for initial satisfaction only. I once was fooled with such a tester myself, so it can happen. Read all text here.
380-074-85
Card # 7
Reference Voltage Tests.
This card tests all reference voltages inside, also the AC output signal of the tone generated can be monitored. Reference voltages can be re-adjusted also when a transformer is damaged, but the precision of the whole tester depends on those. Not only to check a new-bought tester, but also good to check periodically. See full card description here
Order Number Description Part 2) New meter face plate.
624-024-09

A three scale meter face plate is one of the most recommended upgrades. . The Russians used a very good quality standard industry meter for the L3-3, with a scale or 150 divisions only. This is a pity, as in fact the tester uses three different scales. So one 30, 75 and 150 scale, and you need a calculation all of the time.

For a three scale upgrade, you can send in the face plate of the meter, or the whole meter. The original printed divisions will not be removed, because there is a correction of movement unlinearity, via the faceplate printing. Only lower class panel meters will have one face plate for all movements, but not to the KALIBR testers. This can be recognized from the precision category of the meter which can not be achieved otherwise.

For this reason, only the numbers will be removed, but not the divisions. An opaque, transparent foil will be attached to the face plate, with three scales in color, and a red marking at '6.3' which is very handy to adjust any 6.3V heaters. You can't see the difference with an original color printed face plate. Also the 'quick setting ' of the cards below is easier, as this always refers to the scale '0...15 '. Whereas the original meter scale doesn't have that scale.

In case you send in the whole meter, we do also an antistatic treatment of the glass. This is recommended way, but i case you send the white face plate only, it is no problem, but price is the same.

Meter Repair: Though the L3-3 meters are generally in very good condition, you can send them in for repair if damaged. Take care when you replace the meter of your tester. These are standard 150uA Russian meters, but you need a type with 0.5% maximum error, and the same impedance as the one you have, and there are different impedances used in the different data codes of the L3-3. So just any '150uA meter' for L3-3 can be the wrong one.

Each tester has a factory calibration for the individual meter that is used. So when you replace the meter, you need to re calibrate the tester for the new meter. This alone tells something about the precision of an L3-3, and in case of doubt, better repair the old meter than replace it without need.

Card Number Description Part 3) Circuit Design Cards , with EXTERNAL Bias Resistor

These cards show how powerful the programming of the L3-3 tester is.

Simulate a real amplifier circuit with the L3-3, and test this tube in auto bias. Use variable plate voltage, and measure plate current and plate voltage directly with the L3-3. Uses internal decoupling capacitor of the L3-3, and your own bias resistor can be connected to socket #9 with normal banana plugs. One banana cable comes in one of the two wide holes, another cable comes in the ground plug. To the other end of the cables you connect the bias resistor. I use a resistor bank for that, but you can also use a fixed resistor.

Or, you build a 100mA variable resistor into a box, and connect this with banana cables directly to the tester. All other electronics is inside the tester.

These cards are quite universal, because the critical thing is the heater voltage. The range for voltage is adjustable, and bias is auto bias anyway.

380-107-53

2A3 2.5V Tap

About 2.5 or 3V tap
External Bias

Depending on your actual tester tolerance and on the actual mains voltage you need either the 2.5V transformer tap or the 3V transformer tap, in order to be able to adjust to exactly 2.5V. Buy both cards is a good advise, because mains voltage can always change.
380-121-55

2A3 3V Tap
External Bias

About 2.5 or 3V tap

380-108-01
45
External Bias
.
380-109-84
300B
External Bias
.
380-110-57
10, VT25, AVT25A
External Bias
.
    .
Card Number
Description

Part 4) Lab Power Supply cards

These are some ideas that I want to follow up.

These cards turn the L3-3 into a lab power supply. Why pay a lot of money for high voltage supply?
We plan to make this card.

Plug in a 5U4G tube, and the tester will become an unstabilized DC power supply

xxx-xxx-xx

This card will turn the L3-3 into a stabilized dual power supply of 2x 300V / 150mA, with separately adjustable voltage, and current measurement for one power supply via the panel meter. Higher voltage is possible at lower current, but this is unspecified. Additional, an adjustable heater voltage is generated, which can be set via the panel meter. All connections via the Octal socket. So you need to make your own adapter box, which plugs into the octal socket.

THE CARD YOU NEED IS NOT LISTED HERE?
Please inquire, this tester can do a thousands of tubes! If necessary you need to
make an adapter socket, and then here virtually every tube is possible.
Order Number Description Part 5) Test Cards for tubes.
380-082-40
Click the link in the left, for details.
380-033-38
0C3 / VR105
Stabilizer tube
Click the link in the left, for details.
380-053-23
Click the link in the left, for details.
380-001-37

2A3 at 2.5V tap
Adjustable Bias
About 2.5 or 3V tap

Card to analyse a tube. It uses AC heating, and a method to fine-adjust the AC voltage. You can verify a tube against RCA 2A3 curves with this card.

380-106-90

2A3 at 2.5V tap
Auto Bias
About 2.5 or 3V tap

Lifetime Test / or burn in card at 60mA.
380-107-53
2A3 (on 2.5V tap) #107 External Bias
External Bias means, you can connect an external Bias resistor to the L3-3
380-119-91

2A3 at 3V tap
Adjustable Bias
About 2.5 or 3V tap

Card to analyse a tube. It uses AC heating, and a method to fine-adjust the AC voltage. You can verify a tube against RCA 2A3 curves with this card.

380-120-18

2A3 at 3V tap
Auto Bias
About 2.5 or 3V tap

Lifetime Test / or burn in card at 60mA.
380-171-53
2A3 Grid Cleaner Card
If over heated only once, 2A3 tubes may develop a permanent thermal instability. The tube anode glows orange and the amplifier fuse blows. Such a tube may be repaired. Read more here.
380-063-52
2C22
Adjustable Bias
Interesting tube. This seems to be a better 6SN7. Only with plate caps and it has 2V heater.
380-039-15
This card tests the rectifier under full load, in a real rectifier circuit. Unlike most other testers, which test tubes at lower power, and try to say assume from there how the tube 'might ' work in a real circuit. There are no settings with this card. Just plug and read. Some rectifier tubes can output 250 Watt. Because of great heat, the tester may be used only 1...2 minutes like this, and must cool down 1...2 minutes before test another tube. If so, this is written on the card.
380-083-25
UX4-Base-rectifier-Special-Info
Rectifier general instructions
380-141-04
6AH4-GT
This is a very linear high power Triode. It is recommended to make final measurements, after plate current stabilizes fully.
380-099-76
6AS7
6080
6H13
Adjustable Bias
This is a very high heater current tube, and the adjustable DC source of the L3-3 can't supply this. So the tube must be AC heated. However, the closest AC heater voltage is 7Volts, and you need to offset the mains calibration until the 7V becomes 6.3V. The card tells you want value you need for that on the meter scale, it's an odd value, but the result is correct. However, with my tester I can't get any lower than 6.5V. Which is ok because tolerance is 0.31V on the 6.3V. So you have to see how this works out with your tester, as it depends on your mains voltage too. For the rest the card is fine, I tested some 6080 with it, and they perform nicely up to the data sheet. This card is adjustable bias. Which makes sense for 6080, as the difficulty with this tube is plate current is very variable. So you can check the difference between two of the triodes in one bulb.
380-062-90
6BR7
Triode mode
Adjustable Bias
This is a low hum pentode for HiFi purposes, but this tube cannot be plugged in Pentode mode with this tester, due to unusual pin out of the tube. However, it can be tested in triode mode, and a detailed triode datasheet exists from Brimar, allowing normal testing of this tube. Attention, this card will show two Anode plugs, in green color, but you must always leave both plugs in.
6CA4
See EZ81
6CA7
See EL34
380-075-99

6C19

Mixed Bias. Bias resistor and adjustable grid voltage at the same time

This is the original factory test method for this tube, it works with auto bias, but also gives a fixed voltage of -7Volts to the grid. Like this the tube will show some of it's natural variation, but at the same time the auto bias gives a certain level of protection. Also, you can adjust the grid voltage if needed, so to get 95mA, which is the only right current to test the Gm of this tube. Original factory limits are used here. Note: 6C19 has a Zirconium getter, which has no silver color on the glass. So don't be confused by the missing getter mirror.
380-076-18
6C19
Adjustable Bias
This card allows to do what you want yourself, so it's for analysis the way you want it, and you need to give your own interpretation, or compare it with the datasheet Also this is better for matching. Whereas the Mixed bias is better to check tube quality. It is recommended to use both cards. So the mixed bias card tells you if the tubes are good. The adjustable bias card is more suited for matching.
380-002-42
6C45
Adjustable Bias
This tube shows a lot of variation in DC Bias. It is a bit unclear what test limits shout be, and original Russian datasheets say not much about it. Data used here is collected from hundreds new production and NOS tubes that we tested with this card.
6DJ8
See E88CC
380-003-86
6H30
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-004-09
6L6
Adjustable Bias
380-087-91
380-143-76
6N6P
(not for 6N6P-I)
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

6N6P information.

380-155-29
6SJ7, 5693, 6Ж8
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-005-84
6SL7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-090-59
Dual Triodes option.
380-006-89
6SN7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-072-55
6SN7
Auto Bias

(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option.
380-103-91
6SN7
Rejunivation Card

6SN7-REJUNIVATION. Under some conditions, tubes with low emission can be improved. It seems 6SN7 is one of those tubes.

380-043-91

6X4, EZ90, 6Z31
Power Test

Rectifier general instructions

This is a good / bad card. So it will test the tube in a real circuit, at high voltage, and it should supply the full output current.

This tells not much about the expected tube life, for that the Quality Test card is needed.

6X4-special instructions

380-146-65
6X4, EZ90, 6Z31
Quality Test

Rectifier general instructions

6X4-special instructions

This card is to measure the use condition, and to burn in NOS tubes.

For information about leakage, gas or high voltage capability, use the POWER TEST card.
380-148-09
7DJ8, PCC88
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-163-92
7F7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 6.3V, and equals 6SL7 but with Loctal base.

380-164-19

7F7
Auto Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 6.3V, and equals 6SL7 but with Loctal base.
380-165-64
7N7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 6.3V, and equals 6SN7 but with Loctal base.
380-166-52
7N7
Auto Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 6.3V, and equals 6SN7 but with Loctal base.
380-092-19
10, 10Y, UX210
Adjustable Bias
@250V Plate.
Read more about these part numbers. See also Card for VT25, it is slightly another card.
380-100-97
10, 10Y, UX210
Adjustable Bias
@425 Plate.
Read more about these part numbers. This card needs a 425V DC Voltmeter. You have to attach it to the banana plugs in the deck.
12AT7
See ECC81
12AU7
See ECC82
12AX7
See ECC83, E83CC, ECC803S
380-097-14
12AY7, 6072
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-101-25
12BH7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.

380-126-40

12SJ7
Adjustable Bias
 
See ECC832
12DW7
 
380-161-09
14F7
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 12.6V, and equals 12SL7 but with Loctal base.
380-162-85
14F7
Auto Bias
Dual Triodes option.
This tube is 12.6V, and equals 12SL7 but with Loctal base.
380-093-94
20B
Adjustable Bias
Emission Labs tube. Special information about this card.
380-094-83
20B-V4
Adjustable Bias
Emission Labs tube. Special information about this card.
380-008-17
45
Adjustable Bias
.
Card can be made
50
Adjustable Bias
.
380-061-58
71A
Adjustable Bias
.
380-040-93
80 / 274A
Power Test
Adjustable Bias
UX4-Base-rectifier-Special-Info
Rectifier general instructions
This card is the same as 274A card.
Card can be made
Mono diode
380-068-23
UX4-Base-rectifier-Special-Info
83 Rectifier special instructions
Rectifier general instructions
380-068-23
UX4-Base-rectifier-Special-Info
83 Rectifier special instructions
Rectifier general instructions
380-053-23
85A2 Stabilizer
Click the link in the left, for details.
380-045-56

101D (UX4)
Adjustable Bias

These use the UX4 socket.
380-049-84
102D (UX4)
Adjustable Bias
These use the UX4 socket.
380-048-19
205D (UX4)
Adjustable Bias
These use the UX4 socket.
380-129-38
211
Adjustable bias card.
Instructions for 211 / VT4C / 845
380-131-91
211
Rejunivation card #1
Rejunivation Card 1 (normal card). This card is also used for 845
380-132-65
211
Rejunivation card #1
Rejunivation Card 2 (for hard cases).This card is also used for 845.
380-040-93

274A / 80
Power Test

UX4-Base-rectifier-Special-Info
Rectifier general instructions
This card is the same as 'Type 80 ' card.
380-041-68
Rectifier general instructions
380-009-23
300B
Adjustable Bias
Instructions for 300B. This is for matching. Do not confuse this with a life time test.
380-142-39
This is a lifetime test. Do not confuse this with Adjustable Bias results.
Card can be made
300B
Emission Test
.

380-171-53

300B Grid Cleaner Card

If over heated only once, 300B tubes may develop a permanent thermal instability. The tube anode glows orange and the amplifier fuse blows. Such a tube may be repaired. Read more here.
Card can be made
1605, 300B-XLS, 320B
Adjustable Bias
.
380-014-28
408A
Adjustable Bias
This is a 20V heater tube, but there is a way to set the heater voltage to 20V, and use an external voltmeter to set it.
Card can be made
520B
Adjustable Bias
Emission Labs
Card can be made
520B-V4
Adjustable Bias
Emission Labs
380-010-89
717A
Adjustable Bias
You will be surprised how many 717A tubes are sold in Ebay as so called 'NOS ', but these are heavily used, with loss of emission. Really do not buy 717A without test data! As these were inside equipment, the optics is usually fine, even when half worn out. Ebay sellers put those on a Hickok, and the tube is 'fine '. I can tell you, when you have an L3-3, you will be able to separate the used from the real NOS much better as with an Hickok.
380-134-67
807
Adjustable Bias
An amazingly good working card. It seems RCA 807 has by itself a very stabile and reproducible plate current in auto bias mode.
380-129-38
211
Adjustable Bias
Adjustable bias card.
Instructions for 211 / VT4C / 845
380-130-49
845
Adjustable Bias
Adjustable bias card.
Instructions for 211 / VT4C / 845
380-131-91
211 / 845
Rejunivation card #1
Rejunivation Card 1 (normal card). This card is used for 845, 211 and VT4C.
380-132-65
211 / 845
Rejunivation card #1
Rejunivation Card 2 (for hard cases).This card is used for 845, 211 and VT4C.
380-196-69
1626
Adjustable Bias
1930 coke bottle triode with optics of the 45, but indirectly heated. Used in the "Darling" amplifier. Good tubes may have small grid current, which may be normal for this tube, some people say.
380-115-01
4654
Adjustable Bias
Lovely coke bottle pentode, with Top Cap, very similar to EL34. Some TESLA have faint blue colored glass.
380-012-93
5687
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-104-29

5687

Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test, at first introduced by Max Funke.

5691
Use 6SL7 Card
5692
Use 6SN7 Card
5693
Use 6SJ7 Card
380-013-34
5751
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
Card can be made
5751
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option. Card can be made
See 12AY7
6072
.
See KT88
6550
All 6550 are tested with the KT88 cards, unless manufacturer data exist specially for their 6550 (see lines below here).
380-011-76
6550-JJ
Adjustable Bias
JJ has slightly different transconductance, compared to RCA datasheet This card is only for JJ tubes 6550.
380-084-91
6550-RCA
Adjustable Bias
By original RCA datasheet. Screen grid specifications differ slightly from KT88.
6922
See E88CC
n.a.
7247
See ECC832
See D3a
7721
See D3a tube for three test cards.
380-015-90
AD1
Adjustable Bias
For this tube you need to build your own adapter socket from UX4 to AU8, triode connected.
See notes

Rectifier general instructionsOption1) Order the RGN1064 card, and build an adapter from RGN1064 socket to AZ1 socket yourself. Then, this makes this AZ1 card work.

380-124-67

Option2) This card requires an AZ1 socket build into the tester. Instructions are om this website.
380-017-58

C3m
Adjustable Bias

This is a 20V heater tube, but there is a way to adjust the heater voltage to 20V, and use an external voltmeter for adjustment.
380-055-76
C3m
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
This card uses original Telefunken Data, which is available for very few tubes only. This is a health Check. It shows exactly at which reading the tube must be replaced.
380-017-58
C3o
Adjustable Bias
6.3V Version of C3m.
380-055-76
C3o
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
This card uses original Telefunken Data, which is available for very few tubes only. This is a health Check. It shows exactly at which reading the tube must be replaced.
380-054-79
C3g
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
This card uses original Telefunken End-Of-Lifetime limits, which is available for very few tubes only.
380-138-84
D3a Adjust. Bias (pentode)
This card is for matching in Pentode mode. Use Auto Bias card (380-140-43) for lifetime tests.
380-139-09
D3a Adjust. Bias (triode)
This card is for matching in Triode mode. Use Auto Bias card (380-140-43) for lifetime tests.
380-140-43
D3a Auto Bias (pentode)
This card uses original Siemens End-Of-Lifetime limits for plate current and transconductance. The L3-3 tester has exactly the required cathode resistor of 400 Ohms, as needed for this test.
380-113-75
E80CC
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option. Normal tube test, and cut off test can be done with this card.
380-066-77
E83CC
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option - Note about ECC80XS
380-067-29
E83CC
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option.
380-056-95
E88CC / 6922
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option. This card uses original Telefunken Data, which is available for very few tubes only. The 'Good ' value must reproduce exactly for a new tube. There are two limiting values on the card. These are 'good ' and 'bad '. However, you may see a tube is below 'good ' and above 'bad '. This is called the '? ' range. This means a tube may work in circuits that are less demanding.
380-023-29
E88CC / 6922
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-070-29

E88CC / 6922
Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test introduced by Max Funke. Interesting, this can be repeated with the L3-3, by extracting the test settings and test results from the original cards. This is much recommended when you have used tubes, and you want to know how much lifetime is in them still.
380-065-86
E182CC
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-044-63
E188CC
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-050-81
E283CC
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-160-35
EC86
Adjustable Bias
 
380-111-29
ECC32
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option
380-169-95
ECC33
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option
380-018-90
ECC81 / 12AT7
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-088-64
ECC81 / 12AT7
Auto Bias
(Health Check)

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-153-93

ECC81 / 12AT7

Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test introduced by Max Funke. Interesting, this can be repeated with the L3-3, by extracting the test settings and test results from the original cards. This is much recommended when you have used tubes, and you want to know how much lifetime is in them still.

380-019-51
ECC82 / 12AU7
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-091-66
ECC82 / 12AU7
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option
380-154-47

ECC82 / 12AU7

Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test introduced by Max Funke. Interesting, this can be repeated with the L3-3, by extracting the test settings and test results from the original cards. This is much recommended when you have used tubes, and you want to know how much lifetime is in them still.
380-020-72
ECC83 / 12AX7
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-085-58

ECC83 / 12AX7

Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test introduced by Max Funke. Interesting, this can be repeated with the L3-3, by extracting the test settings and test results from the original cards. This is much recommended when you have used tubes, and you want to know how much lifetime is in them still.
380-081-92
ECC83 / 12AX7
Auto Bias
(Health Check)

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-021-88
ECC84
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-022-87
ECC85
Adjustable Bias

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

380-086-49
ECC99
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option / Special information for ECC99
380-089-66
ECC801S
Auto Bias
(Health Check

Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC80XS

.
ECC801S
Adjustable Bias
Use ECC81 card for this
   
380-101-25
ECC802S
Auto Bias
(Health Check

ECC802S has tighter tolerance than ECC82, which is reflected by this test card.
Dual Triodes option

Note about ECC802S

380-128-90
ECC808S
Adjustable
(Health Check

ECC808 is a tube with Specified data for hum, noise, and microphonics. It is the studio version of 12AX7 / ECC83. Data is almost the same, but pin out is another, to had to be done, to enable an electrical connection to the static screen between the two triode systems. This is an ultimate tube, like ECC803S.
Dual Triodes option

n.a.
ECC832
All bias methods

Use one ECC82 card and one ECC83 for this tube.

More information here.

n.a.
ECC823
All bias methods

Use one ECC82 card and one ECC83 for this tube.

More information here.

   
380-102-46
EF86
Adjustable Bias
.
380-024-93
EL8
Adjustable Bias
You need to make your own adapter socket, which you have to wire as EL34.
380-025-72
EL11
Adjustable Bias
Settings and test method is for original EL11, but the tester has no socket for this. You have to make your own adapter socket. Wiring scheme same as EL34. So taken an Octal base, and solder a P8 socket on it. wire it from EL11 to EL34.
380-026-09
EL34-17.5Watt
Safe Mode.
Adjustable Bias
This card is pre-set for 17.5 Watt, which is the safe mode. Without any guarantee on this, it is expected you can plug in any EL34 and even such tubes that tend to draw more current that normal, will not be biased above 25 Watt. Yet you do need to check this always. Good card for series testing.
380-027-95
EL34
25Watt
Adjustable Bias
Card for individual tube testing. Adjust the plate current always at max 100mA by hand, to prevent over heating the tube.
380-028-65
EL34
25Watt
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
The tube is tested in the manufacturer's recommended Auto Bias Circuit. The 'Good ' value must reproduce exactly for a new tube. There are two limiting values on the card. These are 'good ' and 'bad '. However, you may see a tube is below 'good ' and above 'bad '. This is called the '? ' range. This means a tube may work in circuits that are less demanding.
380-116-45
EL34
Triode Mode
25Watt

Adjustable bias

Data in pentode mode, or triode mode is be different. Also, a pentode matched Quad, will not necessarily be matched Quad in triode mode. Click the link in the left, for more information

380-029-39
EL84
.
380-030-85
EL84
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
With DC heating. For more precise testing of the tube as with AC heating.
Card can be made
EL84
Auto Bias
(Health Check)
With AC heating, to enable faster set up, and long time burn in, without over heating the heater voltage regulator. Ideal for series testing, because it needs only one adjustment for all tubes.
380-118-85
EL84
Triode Mode
Adjustable bias
First, the general data in pentode mode, or triode mode will be another . Also, a pentode matched Quad, will not necessarily be triode matched Quad. Click the link in the left, for more information
380-105-58
EM34
MAGIC Eye.
Magic Eye. This card needs two resistors of 1 Meg Ohms inserted in socket 14. You can Adjust the eye with grid voltage pot meter. This card is partially tested only.
EZ81
Card can be made
380-031-98
GU50
Adjustable Bias
This card tests the tube at full 37.5 Watt, and also shows transconductance and Screen grid current. Amazing, L3-3 has the socket for it :)
380-042-39
Rectifier general instructions
380-069-73
KT66 JJ
Adjustable Bias
Card for JJ tubes, which have lower Gm as original tubes. Use this card only for JJ KT66. 100mA is original data sheet value. Meter scale is full scale 150mA, you can go above 100mA for a few seconds, on your own risk, but this is not recommended.
380-112-92
KT66 GEC
Adjustable Bias
Original G.E.C. settings. 85mA is original. Meter scale is full scale 150mA,you can go above 100mA for a few seconds, on your own risk, but this is not recommended.
380-114-39
KT66 GEC
Auto Bias
Original G.E.C. settings. With AC heating, to enable faster set up, and long time burn in, without over heating the heater voltage regulator. Ideal for series testing, because it needs only one adjustment for all tubes. This card should auto bias at 85mA.
Special information
KT88

If you have the budget, take at least the auto bias card, and the 140mA Adjustable card. Whereas the cut -off card can unveil leaky tubes. So these three cards are a useful combination Auto Bias is for quality, Adjustable is for matching, and cut-off test is for a specific form of leakage which may be an issue with KT88.

Click for more information here....

380-080-67

KT88 40 Watt
Auto Bias
(Health Check)

KT88 testing begins with this card. If the tube fails this test, it's a full reject.

Like most Auto bias cards, this is a Health Check for the tubes. A real auto bias circuit with cathode capacitor is programmed inside the Tester. To make the test harder even, this is done at higher current than normal, and lower voltage than normal, so to get 40 Watt dissipation under harder than normal conditions. This is in accordance with the GEC datasheet If the tube passes here, it has a lot of emission. For matching you would need the Adjustable Bias KT88 card.

I seems possible with this card, to unplug a KT88 without having to switch off the tester, but I cannot guarantee this. So far, this worked fine with all four of my L3-3. Like this acceptance tests could be performed quickly, as there is no settings to be done at a tube change.

380-032-18
KT88 JJ 100mA
Adjustable Bias
JJ tests it's tubes at 100mA vs 140mA for the G.E.C. KT88. Doing so, transconductance comes out lower at 100mA of course, for any brand tube. The purpose of this card is to test JJ tubes vs JJ specifications. For the rest, you can test any KT88 with this card too, the normal way. Just some awareness should be created, JJ uses 100mA, and this by itself gives different 'good-bad ' acceptance levels, and it is just these special JJ limits are marked on this card, which includes also the color bands at the bottom of the card.

380-125-94

KT88 140mA
G.E.C. England
Adjustable Bias
This card tests the tubes by the low voltage / High current specification, by the original G.E.C. datasheet from 1957. The cathode is grounded here, and you can change all voltages, so to verify several working points of the datasheet, which is what this card is for. It will not necessary tell you the lifetime expectation. For a quality test, the auto Bias card is intended.
380-079-99

KT88
Triode Mode
Adjustable Bias

Data in pentode mode, or triode mode is be different. Also, a pentode matched Quad, will not necessarily be matched Quad in triode mode. Click the link in the left, for more information
380-073-29

KT88
TESLA Factory Transconductance acceptance level

I have a copy of the original TESLA Factory acceptance level tests, which I do not hand out (Sorry). I think it is by coincidence, but the programmable circuit of the L3-3 can exactly repeat this test. So it was logical to make a card for it. You can use this card to check quickly a quantity of KT88 for Gm at incoming inspection. This card is by the internal TESLA Factory tests.
380-135-56

KT88
TESLA Factory
Cut off test.

This is a good second card to take for KT88. I have a copy of the original TESLA Factory acceptance level tests, which I do not hand out (Sorry). From this, I have this cut off data for the KT88. You can use this card to check a quantity of KT88 for Gm at incoming inspection quickly. As any cut off data is hard to find, this test is a very good one to do. Also the L3-3 anode current meter could be set for 1.5mA. So the acceptance level is 2.5 divisions on the panel meter, which you can see indeed.
380-047-76
PC86
Adjustable Bias
.
380-148-09
P88CC / 4CM4
Adjustable Bias
Dual Triodes option.
380-149-58
P88CC / 4CM4
Auto Bias

(Health Check)
Dual Triodes option.
380-122-52

P88CC / 4CM4
Emission Test

W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example. L3-3 Card looks different

Dual Triodes option. This L3-3 Card simulates the famous FUNKE W19 test method. To my opinion the best emission test introduced by Max Funke.
380-034-62

PX4
Adjustable Bias

This test is not valid for Chinese PX4, since these tubes are not in accordance with the historic data sheet

See Mystery resolved about PX4, on Emissionlabs website.

External link here, from there Go to "Technical Items", and then to Technical Bulletin #6.

380-035-19

PX25
Adjustable Bias

This test is not valid for KR Audio PX25, since this tube is not in accordance with the historic data sheet.

This is a 4 Volt tube. The heater is adjusted to 4V AC, using an AC voltmeter. The meter itself is plugged into the wide pins of the two large holes of socket 17, using normal banana connectors (They fit in there exactly). Then, with the 'mains ' adjustment knob, you can set the heater to 4V, AC. This is not such an extremely elegant way to get 4V, but the current draw of PX25 is quite high, and it works well. More info about how to do this is on the card.
380-197-91

PX25
Lifetime test
ENGLISH METHOD

Do heater setting as above.

This EXCELLENT and so CLEVER method was invented by AVO, and used in their 1925 "Dual Unit Valve tester", from which later AVO Mk1 was derived. (Max Funke used a downgraded method of this, for his emission testers). It uses intentionally too low anode voltage of only 100V. Then, at 0V grid, the tube is forced to give some current, best as it can do. Thus bypassing effect of the grid. Some Gm can be measured still. The trick here is, worn out tubes will not have enough plate current and more, and then will not be able to give Gm=7.5. And in addition have Gm loss anyway. So without having to know plate current and grid voltage, this test unveils low emission tubes, while still doing a dynamic (gm) test. How well this replicates on L3-3, I can not guarantee, but it should work pretty good, and this is definitely worth as try.

Though essentially an emission test, it also tests the grid function, all in one. This makes this method so clever. 100 years old, and never improved. For adjustable bias, take the card one row above here.

380-036-67
RE084
Adjustable Bias
This is a universal tube, for DC direct heating. See this data sheet.
380-037-90
RE134
Adjustable Bias
.Directly heated Triode for loudspeaker.
380-201-77
REN1004
Adjustable Bias
 
380-203-28
REN1104
Adjustable Bias
 
380-204-25
REN1822
Adjustable Bias
20V heater tube. Mesh anode, very linear, with exceptional nice glow picture. SECRET TIP!
380-197-91
RES094
Adjustable Bias
Untested Card available for evaluation. Please ask.
380-198-37
RES964
Small output tube
380-038-49
RGN1064
Power Test
Rectifier general instructions
380-144-98
RR282
Adjustable Bias
RS282 Info
380-145-26
RS282


W19-Quality Test

Funke W19 Card - Example only

RS282 Info
Card can be made
Rectifier general instructions
Card can be made
Rectifier general instructions
380-095-09
VT25A
Adjustable Bias
Read more about these part numbers. See also Card for '10 ', it is another card.
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The Card you are looking for is not listed? Very probably it can be made! Just inquire!