Can you test tubes with an ohmmeter for more than shorts?

[Tweetybird]

The plates in tube?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

You should be able to check the heater filament.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

You should be able to check the heater filament.

That all you can do with an ohmmeter. Check for shorts and see if the filament is intact.

 

[Tweetybird]

I thought there might have been a specific ohm range between pins.sensors I test at work have them I have to call manufacture for specifics. Like an igniter for heater 50 to 75 ohm is good range,will work above 75 ohm but ready to pop.

 

[Tweetybird]

I thought tats what a tube tester checked along with shorts and voltage %

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I thought there might have been a specific ohm range between pins.sensors I test at work have them I have to call manufacture for specifics. Like an igniter for heater 50 to 75 ohm is good range,will work above 75 ohm but ready to pop.

Tubes should show either a complete open circuit or a dead short depending what elements are being checked. Filaments should show a nearly dead short while plate to grid should be infinity. Some tubes may have a grid connected to the cathode and will show a short. You need to know the pinouts of the tube to be sure.

 

[Tweetybird]

So to properly test a tube requires a tube tester ,not a multimeter

 

[BJ radionut]

I have to call manufacture for specifics

There are none to call!...
Those tubes in those amps have not been manufactured since the late '70s early 80's at latest.

 

[Road Squawker]

Sure a lot of trollin goin on

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

So to properly test a tube requires a tube tester ,not a multimeter

Other than for shorts....YES.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Sure a lot of trollin goin on

I'm just waiting to set the hook.

 

[mechanic]

I bought an Eico 350 tube tester about 15 years ago.... The only good way to check vacuum tubes or also known as valves. The tester will load the tube properly with correct voltages and measure resistances and drops. The only good way to check a tube!
If a tube has a dull white spot or spots then it has become gaseous, the getter has been oxidized. This is a visual check!
Vacuum tubes are consumables so they need to be replaced every so often and not many are made nowadays. Thankfully Guitar amps are still being made!
And I do remember Radio Shack had tube checkers in the store and some drug stores! Where did all this machinery go?

73 mechanic

 

[nomadradio]

Where did all this machinery go?

Attics, basements, garages, storage warehouses, the landfill and the occasional antique dealer.

Sold all of them we had years ago. Some on fleaBay and on Craigslist.

73

 

[543_Dallas]

The best way to test a sweep tube is to drop it on the concrete to make sure it's bad.

 

[oldtymer]

Sometimes they test good in the tester as there is not a big load on them but will not
function when placed in the unit and fully driven.