Probably a long shot as old test gear seems out of flavour these days, but I am seeking any info on the Philoscope TA160 R/C bridge with a 'magic eye" indicator. The old ducons inside are split & require replacement as do the old cracked carbon resistors. Text on several components is unreadable so a schematic would be a great plus. A copy of original user manual would also be nice to have as well

Regards Paul

Interesting I did a MOH on an "Honor" TE-46 (Lafayette) Capacitance-Resistance Analyser. This week and a Heatkit IT-22 "In circuit" Cap tester. Both use Magic eyes & both were downright dangerous having metal cases with a cap to Neutral.

You may be lucky..... It's amazing what is out there.

Heatkit seemed to get a batch of those rsistors, every one in the OS-1CRO & IT-22 failed .

Honor has the grey precision type resistors. But they used a type of cap I have never seen. only the 0.1 mfd was leaking.

The Leader sig gen also used precision resistors but fell down by using oil caps. none of which were any use. Worse than papers.

Some of those caps, despite being leaky, often actually measure correctly. "Catch 22" You need something that can do it. And if they leak (likely) they have to go. Having leaky caps in a measuring circuit is not on.

A few caps in the measuring circuit of the Honor went in decimals of the same unit eg 4mfd, 0.4mfd, 0.04mfd ( shock horrror) I tested them for value & with a leakage tester & left them in there: None failed.

Marc

Thanks for the input Marc, sounds like some dangerous goods out there! I have an Honor TE-20 sig generator, interesting see inside when its turn comes around.

Nothing like that however in the Philco, it does have a magic eye which is what attracted me to it in the first place, chassis is even earthed!! Managed to nut out all parts eventually, although a schematic would be nice to check what was touched by those who went before me....!

Unit had some nice newish looking resistors of a beige body colour with orangey looking ends (unsure of vintage) & even some these were off tolerance significantly.... Looks can be deceiving. Noted in several claimed “refurbished” “restored” etc units that resistors were way off tolerance affecting performance in one way or another.

Anyway back to the unit at hand, all but a single “chocolate square” shaped cap leaked & have been replaced, only the rotary wafer switch left to sort out now.
Paul