I found a old 1930's Cathrode Ray Oscilliograph (Or however you spell it) In my barn is it safe to plug up?

Question

My barn is old and that thing has been sitting out there since the beginning of time Idk where it came from or why its out there so should I plug it up? my barn isn't very sealed and gets rain and all kinds of **** inside of it but this ray thingy seems pretty sealed up tight. and will it give off any kind of weird radiation or blow up or anything if its not working right

I brought it up to my garage and blew it off with a Air blower and cleaned it with a wire brush will that hurt me?

Answer 1

It is likely an oscilloscope. Before connecting it to any electricity check the power cords for wear, etc. and also check the fuses. Make sure there is no serious corrosion and that things move properly.



Were it me, I would open the case and make sure there was nothing obviously wrong with the insides. You will find vacuum tubes in there that plug into sockets. Try removing the tubes and checking the pins. Clean them with steel wool or a bit of emery paper if they are really bad. Do this one at a time and don't get them mixed up. Each one is different, performs a different function, and won't work properly if you put it in the wrong socket. DO NOT mess with that little plug on the top of the CRT. While it has obviously been a long time since it was working this particular little gem has been know to harbour a few joules of stored electrons and can give you a nasty jolt.



Check the operation of the front panel controls. Make sure there is a serious click when you turn the power switch on/off and make sure you leave the switch OFF before plugging it in.



Plug into any outlet and turn it on.



The chances of it working are pretty remote but you just never know.

Answer 2

My guess is the first oscilloscopes (They were called oscillographs) were built in the early 1930s. TV was demonstrated at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. The electrolytic filter capacitors would have died long ago, and should be replaced with modern equivalents. The values are not critical. Most of the other capacitors are likely leaky, but will possibly perform. Run it on reduced voltage first, and cut it off quick if it smokes or arcs. It is likely designed for 110 volts instead of 120 volts. Unplug it after a few minutes even if it seems to be working, and check for hot parts. Only the tubes should be hot. High voltage is possible with it off, so be careful. Likely it is not an Xray and the xrays produced by the cathode ray tube = CRT are weak. Neil

Answer 3

A capacitor may let go with a bang or a fizz or it may do what mine did. I had a Cossor osclloscope/oscillograph from a similar era (late 30's) and turned it on slowly using a variac (variable AC transformer). It worked initially at full mains voltage and I thought it was probably going to be OK so I thought I'd leave it on for a couple of hours. Unfortunately after 1.5hrs the power transformer inside the unit gave up in a cloud of smoke. Fortunately I'd had the forethought to stay with the unit just in case and unplugged it and took it outdoors. When the smoke cleared I took the cover off and had a look inside the scope and it was only fit for the bin.



If you are going to try yours then take the cover off first and have a look at the components. If there's signs of corrosion or "weeping" from the capacitors/condensors then don't turn it on, in all probability components in that state will fail. You can also check the tubes. If the silvery coating inside a tube has turned white then the tube has gone" gassy" and and failed due to lack of vacuum inside it. It's very unlikely you'll get a replacement tube. It wouldn't hurt to take a vacuum cleaner to the insides of the unit to remove years of spider residency. Put the case back on if you decide to get brave and plug it in. I would recommend using a variac if you can borrow one and don't leave the oscillograph turned on and/or plugged in unattended. Good luck.

Answer 4

Electrolytic capacitors tend to absorb water, and go bad. Heat or ozone may make thermoplastic insulation degrade, and the whole thing may have been built to codes and standards which may now be considered unsafe. You might at least let an electrician look at it, and maybe take it to a museum. They might give you a considerable tax deduction for the donation of a valuable antique, or help you restore it. It *might* give off x-rays, but I expect it would not be much, especially if you will not be spending hours in front of it. I expect it would be more likely to short out (sparks) or catch fire. If it was sealed up, relatively un-used, it a place where it did not get too hot, it *might* actually work, and be fun. Even if it does not work, and museums do not want it, the tubes, etc. could be valuable to collectors.

Answer 5

You mean a scope ? Or a X-ray generator ?

X-ray tube was invented in 1895, but cathode ray scope was not yet invent in 1930.

X-ray tube need very high voltage about 25000 to 75000 volts. To generate this kind of high voltage in 1930 was battery bank that has over 20000 pieces 1.5 volt cell.

I do not think your device is made in 1930. If it has a round glass surface display in front of the machine,it is a scope. Make no harm if you plug it in. Better show its picture.

Answer 6

please err on the part of warning, what ever you do, do no longer "purely plug it in". the CRT makes use of a extreme voltage of one thousand to 5000 volts!!! in case you have a television technician buddy it incredibly is sufficiently previous to endure in innovations the tube days, then you definitely ought to better half to artwork in this. the front face of the CRT has phosphor, that's what glows. If the CRT is broken, this is going to react with air to make Phosgene gas it incredibly is poisonous. additionally those tubes have a habit of imploding, it incredibly is somewhat like an explosion, you do no longer choose for to be around whilst the glass is flying. As to radiation, the HV of the CRT will accellerate the electron beam sufficiently to generate x-rays. Pre-1960 television instruments have been relatively stable X-ray turbines, in the previous government regulations required protections. each and all the electrolytics must be replaced. the skill cord desires to get replaced. look into the switches and controls for corrosion. The vacuum tubes would be gassy after sitting for 80 years, they'd desire to get replaced. replace the HV anode, the rubber around it has probable cracked. Google and attempt and get a Sams Photofact for this kind, it provides you with cautions, areas checklist and restore intructions plus supply the schematic to assist perceive the resistors and capacitors. This kind is sufficiently previous that it develop into initially under pressure out by hand, making it much less stressful to make maintenance now. yet returned 1000 plus volts is somewhat risky, and as quickly as fired up, the CRT has inner capacitors which will shop the HV on the anode long after the set is off and unplugged. previous television techs understand a thank you to discharge the anode in the previous commencing provider artwork. no count if it relatively is a 30'ish Oscilliograph, then it relatively is a somewhat useful previous. i think it relatively is somewhat from the previous due 40's or 50's. The provider marketplace develop into flooded with oscilloscopes then because of the fact the government had ordered CRTs by the hundreds to be made for RADAR in WW2. With the abundent and decrease priced surplus supply of CRTs all and sundry have been given interior the act after the conflict. Heathkit began its nicely prevalent company making use of conflict surplus CRTs for construct it your self oscilloscopes. wherein case its no longer so useful, yet nonetheless a worth undertaking to repair. stable success and characteristic relaxing.

Answer 7

Better pug it up from a mile away. Humidity should have spoiled it to a point of no repair.

Answer 8

Yeah your barn will probably catch on fire.