EICO Model 625 Tube Tester

I attended the Greater Houston Hamfest and as I walked past the tables of equipment I wondered if interest in vacuum tube equipment was starting to wane. Compared to the last few years the prices of collector quality gear had held steady but parts and restorable gear seemed to be going for less.  I’d like to know your thoughts if you’ve noticed trends one way or the other.

I was happy to pick up a EICO Model 625 tube tester for $15. It is in good condition and appears to work well. The roll of settings for each tube is in good condition and a little searching on the internet supplied settings for older tubes like the number 78 in the picture below.

EICO Model 625 Tube Tester with a number 78 tube

The EICO 625 is not a top of the line tester but it does basic tests and will let you know if a tube is functioning and an idea of the life left in it. It was sold in kit form for $34.95 in 1958 which is roughly equivalent to $274 in 2012.

Inside the EICO 625 from diyaudioprojects.com

The EICO 625 is fairly unique in having its own 6H6 diode tube to rectify the 30V filament voltage. It provides DC for the neon short-indicator bulb. If the tube is suspected of having a short then there is a fairly comprehensive series of tests than can be administered to isolate shorted elements.

EICO Model 625 circuit diagram
Here is the Users Manual and Roll Chart for the EICO Model 625 Tube Tester

Here is the complete TUBE TEST DATA 1/1/78 for the EICO Model 625 Tube Tester

Some settings for less common and older tubes are contained in : eico_625.zip

Excellent information on servicing and calibrating your Classic emission tube tester.

Owen Morgan, KF5CZO, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Texas, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

4 Responses to “EICO Model 625 Tube Tester”

  • harry k7zov:

    Boy that brings back memories of my childhood days. My father had one and I remember him using it…and I even got to burn my finger a few times.. What a blast from the past… hihi

    73
    Harry k7zov

  • Steve Kuznetsov:

    Can you send the old tube chart for the eico 625 tube tester. I am trying to test number 57 and 59 tubes and cannot find eico settings on charts listed. The old chart download does not work. Thanks much. Raytheon electronics engineer

  • Merlin Heggs:

    I get my love of music from my father, who was a conductor. He always listened to the radio on his bus.

    https://ebay.com/itm/265590438608

  • Michael O'leary:

    Will the EICO 625 tube tester test 1920’s 30’s and 40’s tubes? Thank you

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