There are some things to consider when using solid state solid
state replacements for the #83 & 5Y3 tubes in nearly all Hickok tube
testers. If this is done with no load on those tube's
filament supply, the test readings will be inaccurate. Plus the DC
voltages provided by the solid state devices will be higher as
well. The increased voltage provided by the solid state
replacements is not so much of a problem in and of itself because
all the applied voltages will be a bit higher with respect to
each other. However since there is no voltage regulation in
these tube testers the lack of filament current draw
(of the now missing tubes) will cause other voltages to rise
significantly affecting all the test readings. The #83 filament
draws 3 amps, the 5Y3 another 2 amps. That's a significant amount of
current not to compensate for.
I
have successfully replaced the tubes using solid state
devices without seriously altering the test readings. This
was done by installing power
resistors across the filament supply of the missing tubes to compensate the tube's filament
current. Adding dropping resistors for the increased B+
were also installed. A lot of work for tube substitutions,
5Y3's are common and cheap. The #83 is a bit more expensive
but not rare.
BOTTOM LINE! - Save yourself some grief, it's best to use
the tubes.
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