[R-390] Advice - Proper Use of Meggers

[Leigh Sedgwick]

I recently picked up a megger but, honestly, I don't know
much about them.  They are apparently great for checking
leakage through caps which is the main reason I bought it.

For the record, it is a old Navy unit made by Winslow
Teletronics, Inc., Model ZM-63/PSM-35 with a Navy
designation of AN/PSM-35.  It measures Megohms resistance at
500V.

I notice that I can vary the output voltage by rotating the
crank at a slower speed but the readings fluctuate.  So I
take it, that the proper use requires rotating the crank at
normal speed and full-voltage output?  While 500V is fine
for some caps, it typically exceeds some of the smaller caps
found in receiver boat anchor receivers.  So, does one need
a smaller unit for lower voltage caps to get reliable
readings.  

Sorry for my ignorance on the subject, I've just never used
one of these.  Can someone shed some light on this subject
for me or point me at a reference for their proper use.  Any
manuals available for this animal?

BTW, just finished tearing apart my RF deck and cleaning all
the gears.  I found that even a clean looking unit like mine
was before I started, should be rebuilt...many gears were
stuck together from hardening of the lubrication oil even
though they looked quite good to the naked "eye".  I'm
looking forward to experiencing the "smooth" action of an
R-390A.

Hey thanks all...

73 de Mike
K7PI
Mercer Island, WA