Cool test equipment! GenRad 1863 Megohm Meter: Xformer Insulation resistance, diode & cap leakage.

Описание: Hi Folks!

Today I'm going to show you the GenRad (General Radio Co.) model 1863 Megohm meter. It measures resistance from 50 K Ohms through 20 Tera-ohms with the ability to apply voltages of 50, 100, 200, 250, and 500 Volts DC.
I have found the series of GenRad Megohm meters to be absolutely indispensable on my work bench! In this video, I'll show you how to check insulation resistances between transformer windings and cores, reverse leakage of diodes, and capacitor leakages. As part of this, critical high voltage/super low current Geiger counter parts (CDV-700 Lionel 6B transformer, HV rectifier diode, and HV filter cap) will be checked. This is truly where the 1863 shines: With it, you can check those parts where ridiculously small leakages that aren't normally an issue with standard circuits and can't be measured with common low voltage equipment can be identified and those parts replaced.
I got introduced to the GenRad Megohm meters at my last job, where I was a relay tech and engineer. The 1862-C's were used out on the production line. The 1863 and 1864's were used where more versatility was required.
We had around a dozen 1862-C's that weren't working, and the instrumentation techs weren't having much luck with them, so they asked me to help them out. It was cool working on vacuum tube equipment and being PAID to do so in the 21rst century!
I went through them one by one and fixed every single unit! In gratitude, they gave me one for myself. I picked up an 1862-A that one guy was going to scrap for aluminum, and soon added an 1862-B.
Later on, I lucked into a couple of 1644 type bridges (they go to 1000 Volts!) but never found a reasonable 1863 or 1864 until recently. Believe it or not, IET is STILL manufacturing 1863's and 1864's! The December 2025 price on an 1863 is $5,095. Showing that to the wife, and then showing her the Ebay auction for an 1863 at $400 and it being the holidays, she sprang for the 1863! I finally managed to purchase it at $375, and it thankfully arrived here safe, sound and working, in spite of United States Package Smashers.
The 1863 is current limited to 5 mA max, so a shock from it is more of an annoyance than a life threatening event. Make sure you set the test switch to "Discharge" before you hook up or disconnect an item!
Thank you for watching,

-Tom