[GreenKeys] Strobotac

[Richard Knoppow]

    I have a 631B sitting about two feet from me right now. I 
also have a Strobolux for it. The Strobolux is a higher power, 
white light, source that is driven by the Strobotac. The later 
models of the Strobotac had white light xenon lamps in place of 
the neon lamp in the early ones.  GR was a pioneer in making 
practical stroboscopes under the Edgerton patents. GR had 
stroboscopes in catalogs as early as 1935 and made them for 
decades. A great deal of information on GR and later instruments 
may be found at:
https://www.ietlabs.com/

On 12/31/2018 9:23 PM, ken Schwieker wrote:
> 
> I have not seen anyone mentioning using a strobotac to view a 
> machine in operation. I have an older model
> GR 631 strobotac that has been useful in locating problems in 
> several different teletype machines. The accuracy
> of the strobotac is such that it can be used to ascertain the 
> speed of motors, shafts or other parts to approx
> 1% accuracy.
> 
> Basically the strobotac flashes at a rate set by the adjustable 
> dial to the same frequency as the operation frequency
> of the part or parts you are observing. With the room lights low 
> or turned off for better vision the dial can be adjusted
> so the operation of said parts appears to move slowly either 
> forward, in reverse or stopped. One example is that fan
> blades would appear to be stopped while operating at full speed.
> 
> For teletype machine viewing, the machine would need to be 
> operating at a constant speed. If regular text was being
> received the parts that were changing positions for different 
> letters/numbers/punct would not be seen as stopped but
> those parts that were in repetitive motion would be. If a letter 
> or number was repeated (via the keyboard repeat key or
> otherwise) then the complete print cycle from start to finish can 
> be viewed in slow motion.
> 
> Hope everyone has an excellent 2019.
> 
> Ken S

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL