Note: This site and the data it contains have been reposted from an archive of Nolan Lee's original web site by Steve Johnson.

I think that the Hickok 546 , Hickok 547 , Hickok 547A , and the Hickok 548 testers may use the same settings data as the TV-3 and TV-10 series testers. I'd like to verify this. I'd appreciate it if anyone that owns one, or has a manual, schematic, or settings data for the 546, 547, 547A, or the 548 would contact me.
I read somewhere that the 546 was a civilian version of the TV-3/U and that the 547A was a civilian version of the TV-3B/U. Any help on this would be appreciated.

I'm also looking to chat with anyone that has a Hickok model M1 tube tester. It looks to be a civiliam model of a TV-3* but without the VOM. I've added the information of the one that someone set me photos of to the SN/Contract listing below. It uses the same settings data. I'd also like to add data for the Hickok 546, 547, 547A, and 548. If you have one of these, please drop me a note with the information off of the tag. If you have taken it apart, the date code off of the bathtub capacitor wired across the meter would be helpful too, thanks!

TV-3/U TV-3A/U TV-3B/U TV-3C/U TV-10/U TV-10A/U TV-10B/U TV-10C/U TV-10D/U

TV-3 and TV-10 Series Tube Tester Data Settings Project

January 5, 2003

The current downloadable beta is .018

Please email me after you download and look at this thing and let me know what you think...

OK, I just finished a major revision. It added about 50K to the size of the zip file. Instructions to operate the tester were added.A major rework of the graphics for the basing information has been done, and was a lot of trouble. It willprint out with clear numbers now. New tube numbers were added. Errors were corrected. The printing format has changed. No more greys, only black and white when printing this beast. That'll save you some toner/ink and is easier to read. It prints fine on MY printer, an HP 5L.. Never blindly print out one of my files without checking the printing options and printing a few sample pages first. I set it up to print the settings data pages in landscape format with enough room at the edge of the page to punch holes and put it in a binder. I also set the page breaks so that it wouldn't give you the settings for one half of a tube on one page and the settings for the other half on another. Other than me doing the ballast settings and adding a shorts table, the major part of the typing is done. What I need now if proofreading. Anyone?

I'm also looking for MORE settings data. Anyone?

Also, more serial numbers have been added to the list below:

Due U wAnt 2 help pro0f reed? If so, drop me a note telling me which rollchart and/or manual you will be comparing my file to to check for errors and I'll send you a copy..

I've FINISHED typing in all of the data (01A to XXL) from the below listed source material. If you have any additional source material that I'm looking for (listed below) it's time to let me know. It's now time for some error checking. After that, I start adding additional settings data for tubes not listed in any of the Govt. publications.

I'm sitting at over 3000 lines of settings data typed in so far. I used the 1966 roll chart in my TV-10D/U as the "primary" source and added settings data from the documentation listed at the bottom of this page that I have access to. There is settings data for hundreds and hundreds of tubes that's scattered around in the various manuals etc. that's not on any of the roll charts. This will be one hell of a file when it's finished. I'm guessing that it will be larger than any of the other settings data files that I've done for the other models of testers as far as "coverage".

As best as I can tell, the May 1966 roll chart was either the last update or damn close to it. If you have a roll chart later than May of 1966, please email me.Also, if you have any manuals or supplements that are listed at the bottom of the page as "wanted" drop me a note.

If you want to spend some time proof reading, drop me an email telling me what data source you'll be using for comparison on your end along with a note on which part you'd like to proof read. I've learned a lot doing these projects and have found that I get the best response when I ask for on one "number" per person. As an example, all of the 1 volt tubes or all of the 5xxx numbered tubes, etc. At any rate, drop me a note and I'll attach a copy of the whole thing just in case you want to check more than 1 series of numbers. :-)

The current beta is 0.15 which covers all of the tube numbers from 01A to XXL. It is a zip archive containing an Excel file created with Office 2000. Info on the file format along with a link to a free reader for Win32 platforms is listed toward the bottom of this page.

I'd also like to thank the people that have taken the time to email me the contract info and SN off of their TV-3 and TV-10 series testers. It looks like there were a total of six contracts for the TV-3 series and a total of ten contracts for the TV-10 series. What we need know is more SN information to get an idea of just how many of them were built.

<snip>

The data collection continues, but more is needed...please check the list below.

I have added what contract information that I've put together so far just below. Please drop me a note if you have any contract numbers not listed or any "high" or "low" serial numbers to add in order to help get an idea of just how many of the TV-3 and TV-10 series testers were built.

Well, it was a matter of time I guess. It looks like I have another project. :-)

I now have a TV-10D/U in my grubby little hands. I did a quick check and it appears to be basically functional. I had to replace the latches on the case and decided that while I had it apart that I'd go ahead and do a total check of all of the components, give it a good cleaning, and do a couple of modifications. The calibration tag lists it's next calibration as being due in mid 1968. Looks like it's overdue. :-)

The first mod is a meter protection mod that decreases the chances of frying the meter due to an "accident". It involves placing two silicon rectifiers across the meter in opposite directions. I use 1000 volt 1 amp ones for this. This mod is a good idea on the TV-7 series and the I-177 series testers also. Make sure that you test the rectifiers before you install them. Here's a picture:

The second mod involves the 40 or 50 year old or so electrolytic capacitor across the meter circuit. This one leaked bad enough to affect the calibration. This same cap is also used in the TV-7 series of testers and this mod works fine for them too. Been there, done that....

Finding new current production bathtub caps wouldn't be much fun so I used a Sprague Atom mounted on two gold plated 500 volt insulation standoffs. The original value was 100 mf at 15 volts. My replacement is rated 100 mf at 50 volts. The existing holes could have been used but I went ahead and drilled a central hole in the existing pattern. Here's a picture of what it looks like after installing the new cap:

Another mod was to use the solid state replacement for the number 83 rectifier worked out by Alan Douglas. It's simple enough to build using nothing more than an old 4 pin tube base, two 1 amp 1000 volt rectifiers and a pair of 10 ohm 1 watt resistors. I used the micanol base from a dead 809 and two watt resistors. "More is better". This will save about 15 watts of internally produced heat in the case of the tester and end the problems with the mercury vapor rectifier: This mod is reported to work fine on the TV-2, TV-7, and I-177 series of tube testers but I haven't tried it on those yet. Naturally, recalibrate the beast after you do it.

I plan to replace the paper blocking cap and all of the carbon composition resistors that have drifted up in value in the TV-10D/U. I have the parts and will be using WW and film type. I'll post pictures when I get around to doing the work.

At any rate, since the settings data for the TV-3 and TV-10 series testers appear to be identical, it makes sense to combine both designs of testers for this project.

I'm now in the information gathering stages for creating a settings data file for the TV-3 and TV-10 series tester as I have for other models of military testers. This file, as is all of the previous ones, will be available for free download. I'd also like to hear from anyone that is interested in proof reading the file as it progresses.

Jamuary 5, 2003

So far, I know of the following contract and production number
range for the TV-3 and TV-10 series. Let's fill in the blanks,
especially if you have a higher or lower serial number, or a
different contract number or any other additional information
that will round the file out and we can get an idea of the total production
number of the TV-3 and TV-10 series testers.

TV-3/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 42087
dated 27 Jan 1948 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 91254
No SN info yet.

TV-3A/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 43282
dated 18 May 1949 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 91435
SN 536 only one reported so far...

TV-3A/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 49238
dated 30 Jun 1950 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS ?????
Low SN 687
High SN 728

TV-3B/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 52672
dated 25 Jun 1951 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 91747
Low SN 510
SN 578 Meter Cap Date of 10-52
SN 886
SN 977
High SN 1029

TV-3B/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 57554
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS ?????
Low SN 1296
SN 1690
SN 2586
SN 2991
SN 3201
High SN 3403

TV-3C/U by Jetronic with contract number of NObsr 59586
dated 23 Dec 1952 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 92193
Original cost was $190.00.
Low SN 37
SN 69 Transformer stamped MFP May 1954
SN 868R
SN 1721
High SN 2074

Hickok Model M1
Civilian Clone of the TV-3* Without the VOM finctions
SN 96 only one reported so far...

Hickok 546
Civilian Clone of the TV-3*
No SN info yet...

Hickok 547
Civilian Clone of the TV-3*
No SN info yet...

Hickok 547A
Civilian Clone of the TV-3*
No SN info yet...

Hickok 548
Civilian Clone of the TV-3*
No SN info yet...

TV-10/U by Forway Industries with contract number of NObsr 64838
dated 30 Jun 1955 -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93021
Original cost was $108.90
Low SN 15 Cap Date of 3/57
SN 28
SN 69 Cap Date of 3/57
SN 142
High SN 605

TV-10/U by Jetronic with contract number of NObsr 75157
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93021
Original cost was $???.??
No SN info yet.

TV-10A/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 71284
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93069
Original cost was $113.68
Low SN 319
SN 328
SN 476
SN 636
SN 707
High SN 1622

TV-10A/U by Hickok with contract number of NObsr 71374
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93069
Original cost was $113.68
No SN info yet.

TV-10A/U by J H Keeney with contract number of NObsr 81409
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93069
Original cost was $150.93
No SN info yet.

TV-10B/U by Jetronic with contract number of NObsr 75157
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS ?????
Original cost was $136.00
Low SN 24
SN 57
SN 945
SN 1027
High SN 1124

TV-10B/U by Jetronic with contract number of NObsr 75721
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS ?????
Original cost was $159.00
No SN info yet.

TV-10C/U by Forway with contract number of NObsr 71761
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93400
Original cost was $187.00
Low SN 47
SN 91
High SN 356

TV-10D/U by Western Reserve with contract number of 85308
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93069 with suppl.
Original cost was $???.??
Low SN A4 -- Meter Capacitor dated 10-62
SN A18
SN A225
SN A245
SN A479
SN A608
SN A615
SN A680
SN A725
High SN A779

TV-10D/U by Western Reserve with contract number of 87455
dated ?? ??? 19?? -- Manual is NAVSHIPS 93069 with suppl.
Original cost was $???.??
Low SN B68
SN B167
SN B329
SN B380
SN B397
SN B400
SN B435
SN B496
High SN B504

Rather than clog the list, please email your responses to me.
The data will be posted on my TV-3/TV-10 page as I compile it.

The current settings data documentation that I have access to for compiling the settings data file is as follows:

TV-3A/U , TV-3B/U , TV-3C/U , TV-10/U , TV-10A/U . TV-10B/U Supplementary Test Data For OlderTube Types. Hickok Part No. 3200-96 Dated November 1, 1963

TV-3B/U Instruction Manual (NAVSHIPS 91747) dated 5 Sept. 1952 for contract number NObsr 52672

TV-3C/U Instruction Manual (NAVSHIPS 92193) dated 26 March 1954 for contract number NObsr 59586

TV-10/U Technical Manual (NAVSHIPS 93021) dated 10 July 1957 for contract number NObsr 75157

TV-10A/U Tech Manual (NAVSHIPS 93069) dated 4 Oct. 1957 for contract number NObsr 71284 and NObsr 71374

TV-10/A and TV-10D/U Revision Sheets for Contract NObsr-85308(FBM) and NObsr-87455(FBM) dated August 23, 1962

TV-10C/U Roll Chart Hickok Part # 3200-114 dated 1 June 1964

TV-3A/U--TV-3B/U--TV-3C/U--TV-10/U--TV-10A/U--TV-10B/U Roll Chart Hickok Part # 3200-124 (supersedes Hickok Part Number 3200-99) dated 1 May 1966

What I'm looking for right now:

I'm collecting TV-3 and TV-10 series contract data. I'd like to hear of who make your tester along with the information on the nomenclature tag. I'm trying to get an idea of just how many of the TV-3 and TV-10 series testers were built. Thanks.

Tech Manual for the TV-3/U and any changes for same.

Tech Manual for the TV-3A/U and any changes for same.

Tech Manual for the TV-10B/U and any changes for same.

Tech Manual for the TV-10C/U and any changes for same.

Roll Charts for the TV-3 and/or TV-10 series dated later than May 1st of 1966.

Any supplements or "changes" for the above manuals that I have access to.

Any other manuals or roll charts that will help the progress of this project.

I'm also looking for the little metal cover for the square storage compartment inside the lit. I think that this originally had "fuses"or "spares" printed on it. Mine is missing. ;-(

This project will be done with Office 2000's version of Excel in Excel Workbook format.

If you don't have Microsoft's Excel, or have an old version, you can download a free viewer for 32bit Windows OS's from: http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/xlviewer.aspx

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