Zantech quartz watch tester I picked up

[LittleWatchShop]

As part of an estate purchase, I got several pieces of Zantech equipment from the early quartz era.  This thing is well made and the things I have tested work. I am a little surprised that it can ouput 0-20 volts.  Whoa!  I cannot think of any quartz watches that needed 20 volts.

[RichardHarris123]

Am I missing something? Isn't the voltage on the bottom scale which goes to ten? 

[watchweasol]

Correct Richard. The top scale is Current bottom. Volts.Apms scale switchable between. Mili amps ans Micro  Amps.

[JohnR725]

what no pictures of the inside of the unit?

10 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

I got several pieces of Zantech equipment from the early quartz era.

it's amazing how fast the early days of quartz watches came and went. Including stuff like this where they did have all kinds of interesting stuff for working on the early quartz watches.

[LittleWatchShop]

4 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Am I missing something? Isn't the voltage on the bottom scale which goes to ten? 

I measured it before posting.

2 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

what no pictures of the inside of the unit?

it's amazing how fast the early days of quartz watches came and went. Including stuff like this where they did have all kinds of interesting stuff for working on the early quartz watches.

Here is another of the bygone era.

[RichardHarris123]

The scale goes to 10V but the output goes to 20V, any idea why?

[LittleWatchShop]

2 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

I measured it before posting.

Here is another of the bygone era.

The load test resistor is very interesting. I am a believer in testing batteries under load, but really?

3 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

The scale goes to 10V but the output goes to 20V, any idea why?

I think it was simply an error. I see what appears to be a later version that remedies two issues, 1) voltage range, and 2) meter scale.

[praezis]

2 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

what no pictures of the inside of the unit?

I bet, about 50 pc. TTL ic.
 

34 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

The load test resistor is very interesting. I am a believer in testing batteries under load, but really?

Today people are no more aware, how essential it is that the load resistor for the battery is adjustable to 0.1 % …

Probably highest value of the whole instrument is that ten-turn potentiometer.

Frank

[LittleWatchShop]

43 minutes ago, praezis said:

Probably highest value of the whole instrument is that ten-turn potentiometer.

Yeah, they are nice.  I have a few in my vintage collection of electronics.

Impressive.

43 minutes ago, praezis said:

I bet, about 50 pc. TTL ic.

The logic gates are CMOS.  Opamps are bipolar (of course). OH WAIT!! The CA3140 has a PMOS diff pair.  Cool.

Two crystals...hmmm

Edited December 29, 2024 by LittleWatchShop

[LittleWatchShop]

Here is a video of the newer version of the Zantech.

And here is the Obit for the guy who founded Zantech.  The guy was a true innovator.  Kinda like me

[JohnR725]

7 hours ago, praezis said:

I bet, about 50 pc. TTL ic.

I've seen inside of one before what I remembered was the huge wiring mess.  just seem like lots and lots of wires which is maybe why couldn't remember the circuit boards at all.

 

 

 

[LittleWatchShop]

3 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

I've seen inside of one before what I remembered was the huge wiring mess.  just seem like lots and lots of wires which is maybe why couldn't remember the circuit boards at all.

 

 

 

The wiring harness is very well done.