Heathkit estate sale find, fix, part out or something else?
I have one identical to this that works fine I got many years ago at a sale for like $1. Got one today for $10 on half off day, because having two identical seemed kind of cool.
Got it home it seemed odd first the power light flickered and was dim, played with knobs managed to get a dot to display but seemed very touchy, ran for maybe two minutes. Tried a bit more with it maybe 5 minutes then heared an odd liquid/venting like sound, so pulled plug. I let it sit about an hour opened the case took it to the garage tried it seemed to work better but still touchy. Around 5 min noise happened again, pulled plug. Let it sit looked over things no sign of bulged caps, though sound seemed to be from the rear portion of the unit. transformer was warm but not anything I'd worry about. I went to plug in again nothing, found the line fuse blown so makes me think transformer.
It be cool to fix it but i'm guessing odds of getting parts, etc slim to none as far as transformer. I don't know if a bad tube could have trashed it, I noticed the large ceramic resistors on the back were quite warm but they are high wattage and to me I would not say it was alarmingly hot. I think if part out save the tubes if nothing else. The CRT yeah fit my other unit but odds of failure i would think slim? I may just part out and junk the rest or maybe cut the cord on it put on a shelf for something interesting and partout if need ever comes.
What are your guys thoughts on fixing or scavenging anything from this. All the tubes looked like worked as were glowing, I could not see anything glowing on the rear tube over the transformer but it is all mirror like and seems my other unit was this same way. I don't have or know anyone with a tube tester. I feel like if I do anything with this unless fix the tubes should probably come out and put in bubble wrap and a sturdy box somewhere safe and mark as spares.
Posted May 24, 2026, 2:46 AM UTC