My Sunny Day.... Got a Vintage Sun Analyzer!!!

[Blacknwhitepit]

I have always wanted one of these.

Saw it on Craigslist last night and had to have it. Went to pick it up today and offered $250 Cash. The buyer bit right away (Dang, should have made it $150.00

Only issue is that all the vacuum lines are busted (need some help here), Still looks great, oscilloscope works fine.

An American made computer.... That should tell you how old it is.

I figure this was made from 80 to 84.... I need some help though, as I cannot find any reference to a date (Not on the instructions, dataplate, stickers, cards... Anything!!!!)

I like it for its retro looks, It is cleaning up nicely (look at later pics)

Who is the old Guy in the sticker!!! I don't know!!!








Cleaned up a little bit.
































Who is this balding Guy????





















I got the Banner!!!!


















































































-BWP

 

[Delray]

That could be the original Mr. Goodwrench. Is that a cylinder leak down gauge on the lower right?

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

That could be the original Mr. Goodwrench. Is that a cylinder leak down gauge on the lower right?

Yup,

It is a cylinder leak down gauge.

-BWP

 

[krusty the clown]

and yup........that's mr goodwrench alright. must have been originally purchased by a gm dealer.

 

[Delray]

My newest one I believe is a 110. Just has tach, dwell, timing light and scope. I believe mine is later 70's. Yours looks a lot newer. Did you find an HEI adapter with the accessories? Might even have a cable designed for it.

 

[Truxx1956]

$250 You ****!! I wish my recent find was that COOL!! I bought a Peerless Pulsar and it is cool and it does work, but aint near as COOL as that one. Good score dude

 

[uponroof]

Nice find. I also have an 1115 which does not work but is in good aesthetic condition and loaded with good parts. I think the power transformer is shot as it smokes when the unit is switched on. The previous owner seeing the smoke shot a chemical fire retardant into the back through the louvers in the rear cowling. Not much got through the small openings, but it's a bit of a dusty mess.... which is easily cleaned. I'm thinking (hoping) it might just fire up with new transformer.

I bought this as a spare part source to backup an eventual working 1115 (which I was waiting to find). In the meantime I came across a very nice Sun Infrared EET 947 from the late 60s which works and will become my primary analyzer. The 1115 is now for sale if you or anyone else out there wants it for parts or to take a shot at fixing (I'd like to get $175 for it as that's what it cost me).

Here's an interesting thread on a 1115 which includes a few videos of it in action.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/315672/an/0/page/0

The last page in the above linked 4 page thread has some good info from the Oct 05 issue of Musclecar Enthusiast on the collectability of old sun equipment.

I think these 1115s are from earlier than the 80s, perhaps early to late 70's but not sure. Mine even has some 69 stamps on it, but can't say for sure that they're date codes.

Good luck with it!

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Nice find. I also have an 1115 which does not work but is in good aesthetic condition and loaded with good parts. I think the power transformer is shot as it smokes when the unit is switched on. The previous owner seeing the smoke shot a chemical fire retardant into the back through the louvers in the rear cowling. Not much got through the small openings, but it's a bit of a dusty mess.... which is easily cleaned. I'm thinking (hoping) it might just fire up with new transformer.

I bought this as a spare part source to backup an eventual working 1115 (which I was waiting to find). In the meantime I came across a very nice Sun Infrared EET 947 from the late 60s which works and will become my primary analyzer. The 1115 is now for sale if you or anyone else out there wants it for parts or to take a shot at fixing (I'd like to get $175 for it as that's what it cost me).

Here's an interesting thread on a 1115 which includes a few videos of it in action.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/315672/an/0/page/0

I think these are from earlier than the 80s, perhaps early to late 70's but not sure. Mine even has some 69 stamps on it, but can't say for sure that they're date codes.

Good luck with it!

Could you take some pictures of you unit with the backside removed? All of My Vacuum lines have rotted off and I have no idea which goes where.

Thanks

-BWP

 

[goodfellow]

The problem with these units is that they are a "modular" solid state design and construction. The design consists of many plug-in circuit boards that are absolutley a PITA to track down nowdays. Fixing the boards yourself takes skill and specialized testing equipment --

If the transformer shorted to a point where it actually burned, there is an even chance that it "spiked" first and damaged one or more of the plug-in circuit boards.

 

[uponroof]

blackandwhitepit,

My hoses are also rotted off so I don't think it would be of much help. Not sure why this happens but I'm guessing they used a natural rubber hose, or something less likely to corrupt chemical readings, but susceptible to decomposing. I just assumed the sniffer was extremely difficult or not worth fixing given the complexity/sensitivity of all the circut boards etc...Along those lines Sun made a 1011 and 1015, which were abbreviated versions of the 1115, without the sniffer and (I believe) magnetic timing. Before landing the massive 947 I was considering a 1015.

goodfellow,

I see what your saying regarding the modular construction of the 70s and 80s units. The EET 947 is not modular (at least for the most part I don't think it is) and hopefully easier to service and maintain. I've seen some of your posts on other threads regarding Sun equipment and appreciate your expertise. I believe you also have a website devoted to the restoration of this equipment. Have you any experience with servicing a 947? Is there any chance of restoring the sniffer on it given it's (hopefully) less complex? I also have a VAT 28 recently purchased and on the way. Don't want to hijack this thread from blackandwhitepit's 1115 topic but love these old Sun analyzers. Thanks.

 

[goodfellow]

The scope is definitely modular, and represents the best technology that Sun had to offer in the mid-seventies. Very good quality scope. The problem with the emission modules isn't neccessarily complexity, but rather parts availability. There are very few parts available to service the emission testers. That said, they weren't too accurate to begin with, and even a working unit would not be useful for setting up modern cars.

The best you can achieve with this equipment is to adjust the carb on your vintage car within very basic rich/lean parameters.

Congrats on the VAT-28. That truely is a historic piece of equipment.

 

[uponroof]

goodfellow,

Do you have any idea on when any of these sun units were manufactured? Is there a date code on the equipment somewhere?It would be nice to be able to speak with some accuracy on dates when folks ask me.

Are there any (old or new) sniffers you recommend as useful for diagnosing exhaust?

Finding parts for the old sun stuff being difficult I have spoke (briefly) with Bob Masters and others hoping to find some answers... only to hear the same. The advice was to seek out those in my area who might have sun equipment which would be useful for parts.

Further searching, I found a few interesting threads on Sun resources and repair info which one alludes to the possibility of finding "wells/garner" monitors (scopes) at arcade video game suppliers.

http://www.servenet.com/shoptalk/messages/3856.html (open all replies)

http://home.earthlink.net/~rchaskell/auto/sun/index.html

Too bad Snap On didn't see the value in maintaining some sort of stock, or at least a cross reference vendor list, for the older Sun instruments.

Thanks.

 

[goodfellow]

No date code on the equipment badges, but many have a paper sticker on the inside that indicates the date of manufacture. Since it's just paper tape, most tags have simply fallen off and are lying somewhere on the floor of the cabinet.

The Infrared series were the last of the big analog analyzers that Sun manufactured -- they range from the early 1970's until 1977/78. They pretty much died with the advent of IC's in automobile electronics and increasingly sophisticated electronic ignitions.

 

[Vulturej]

Vacuum connection pictures.

 

[oldgoaly]

My wife called me up from an auction about 14yrs ago do you need a Sun machine? a postal service auction, it wasn't to far away so I ran over there, told her to go $200 a for one, they had 3, two had yellow out of service tags, first one sold for over a grand, she bought the other two for 65$ for both.... Ok one yelow tag said electrical hazzard only thing I found was the grommet was loose where the power cord went in. The other said gas analyzer would calibrate. My cousin had a 1015 that he kept a service contract with Sun, drove the 67 mustang to his shop check the car after they had just serviced the poertable gas analyzer, came home check my two, one right other way off, so I opened them up and the one that would not calibrate the mirriors were dirty on the gas anlyzer, so I cleaned them, spot on! , I did replace some of the plastic sampling hoses later,still have it, many years of good service out of the best one, the other I sold for a grand. I gave her a couple of hundred for getting such a deal!!! only thing I can say on humid days let it warm up awhile before using. Good luck with your machine! tt

 

[Bustawrench]

The problem with these units is that they are a "modular" solid state design and construction. The design consists of many plug-in circuit boards that are absolutley a PITA to track down nowdays. Fixing the boards yourself takes skill and specialized testing equipment --

If the transformer shorted to a point where it actually burned, there is an even chance that it "spiked" first and damaged one or more of the plug-in circuit boards.

Those boards can be built for you.

There is a place near here...........you take your fried board in to them, and they either repair it or make you a new one if it's too far gone.

Price is very reasonable as well. My brother does industrial automation reapair and he turned me on to them.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

VultureJ,

Thanks for the pics... That helps a lot!

-BWP

 

[OldIronLover]

VultureJ...

Thanks very much for posting the vacuum pics. I almost have enough info to rehose my 1115. I have a couple of questions left that I hope you would be good enough to answer if you have time. How is the calibration gas plumbed into the system and where does the hose that leaves the left (looking from the back) air pump go? This is the pump without the "T" on it. Is there anything connected to the fitting that comes out the bottom of the left end of the IR gas tube?

If I get my hoses all sorted out I will try to post a diagram all on one page. Apparently there are a few of us with 1115's and it looks like hose rot is common.

Like several others I got mine for $200 and most of the functions seem to work and it looks like I have all the pickups, etc. My $200 purchase included a distributor machine, a 505 I think, and some misc. test equipment like a nice compression tester and the MAG81 timing light.

Thanks again,

OldIronLover

 

[e-tek]

AWESOME piece!! I rarely come to the tools section so I missed this psoting. You got a beauty and a great deal - IF ONLY for the caart and banner!!!!!!!!!!! Mine doesn't have the kick-*** cart, wish it did.
Mine is also a much older unit - not computerized. Goodfellow is super-knowledgeable on these, very helpful chap. Good luck and good buy!

 

[sirstude]

Hi Guys. I just received up this SUN TUT1115 a couple of days ago. I had a 1015 back when I had my shop from 73 to 81 and for the last 10 years or so have been looking for one to have in my garage. This one showed up a few months ago at an auction that a friend of mine was at, and I asked him to pick it up. I gave him a max of $50 since some of the cables had been cut. He won't tell me what he paid, (I am guessing about $10) but he delivered it on Thursday evening. I managed to pick up a bunch of cables on e-bay and that bunch included the magnetic pickup stuff. All the hoses for the gas analzer are intact, so if anyone needs pictures, I can take them.

The question I have, does anyone have a manual that can be copied or scanned, or sold, or know where I can buy one, can you let me know please?

Thanks
Doug

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

The question I have, does anyone have a manual that can be copied or scanned, or sold, or know where I can buy one, can you let me know please?

Thanks
Doug

Nice looking machine.

PM goodfellow, he'll know.

Four years and only twenty posts? You're the anti-Merkava!

 

[norry]

$10 for THAT? Holy Guacamole! Great deal, my friend. I have a much smaller o'scope (vintage Tek) but it wasn't $10!

 

[64merc]

I was at an estate sale the other day where the 2 car garage was almost filled with these types of machines. I don't know anything about them so I couldn't even tell if they worked or what was missing. They were going from about $10-$80 each. I wish I knew what they all did.

 

[sirstude]

Hi all again. I am still looking for some kind of operators manual(s) for a Sun TUT1115 that I picked up. I did contact Julia as recommended, but she does not have any for it, just the 1015, and it does not cover any of the exhaust gas stuff.

Doug

ps. wow, I have 2 posts today, a record for me.

 

[engineer2]

The recommended tubing for emissions analyzers is nylon. Only problem is that it is stiff and harder to work with. I've never tried Teflon tubing, but I suppose it would work too. Rubber vacuum hose or Tygon will cause errors in hydrocarbon readings due to what's known as "hydrocarbon hangup". Hydrocarbons bind to the tubing and you'll have a hard time getting back to a zero reading with fresh air.

Many time the emissions analyzer gas bench (the thing that reads the gas) can be carefully taken apart and cleaned to get it working. The blue pump is made by Thomas Pump and is still available. Harder to get parts for because Thomas doesn't sell small parts directly.

The Sun 1015/1115 were said to be one of their best machines.

 

[mbazinet]

i just acquired a nice SUN 1115 its not presenting a opening screen test pattern as it should my tech has been very helpful supplying me with boards and ancillary items to try and fix the issue. Were doing this long distance so he and i are doing our very best to describe and try to diagnose using the most commonly thought culprits, but so far still no test pattern I feel we are dam close I have suggested we try a new CRT card given the way the CRT is behaving ; signal comes in momentarily upon startup then goes blank. I am thinking a bad transistor,

Several of the "Bank cards" have been replaced thinking from past field experience they were the usual suspects. Any ideas ? i like this unit, it looks solid and it has all new test leads, and I really need it to properly work on my 66 230SL Benz. really excited to keep a fine pice of equipment working !

 

[R-Savage]

Nice Finds Guys. That is an awesome find. Congrats People!

 

[R-Savage]

Didn't realize how old this thread was. Very interesting topic. How would you do a 5.7 Hemi on one of these? 8 cylinders 2 plugs per cylinder? Would you even be able to do it?

 

[raya3581]

I have a sun-105 and all the hoses inside the pump box model 0120-0422 all hoses have fallen off and apart anyone have a diagram?

 

[sirstude]

Didn't realize how old this thread was. Very interesting topic. How would you do a 5.7 Hemi on one of these? 8 cylinders 2 plugs per cylinder? Would you even be able to do it?

I have an HEI adapter for mine, and I think that is probably the newest technology that it would work with. Don't see individual coil setups with it.

btw, I am still looking for a copy of the manual for a TUT1115

Doug

 

[R-Savage]

I have an HEI adapter for mine, and I think that is probably the newest technology that it would work with. Don't see individual coil setups with it.

btw, I am still looking for a copy of the manual for a TUT1115

Doug

Ebay I know. would these help?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sun-manual

 

[sirstude]

Thanks, I happened across that on Thursday and ordered it.

 

[sirstude]

btw, R-Savage, the box that is your avatar is sitting in my garage with a side box on it. I just replaced it with a 75th anniversary Snap On "Metal Haven" top and bottom a month ago. I have had the old one and worked out of it for nearly 40 years.

 

[dodge610]

Here is mine not a sun but everything works. And it was given to me and yes it is in desperate need of clean up and restoring.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sirstude]

I picked up a .pdf manual for my 1115 and it has a hose diagram in it. I sent it off to one of the guys and he said that did the trick.

 

[Blackwolfe]

Saw this on craigslist in the Grand Rapids Michigan area if someone need a project for a retro garage. Sun 300 Scope Tune Up Tester.

https://swmi.craigslist.org/tls/5832459836.html

 

[L5wolvesf]

$250 You ****!! I wish my recent find was that COOL!! I bought a Peerless Pulsar and it is cool and it does work, but aint near as COOL as that one. Good score dude

Agreed, great score and you **** .

The old guy looks a bit Like Groucho

 

[mikethomas123]

I'm a new member, this is the first forum I've joined. I found this sight because I was searching for a picture/diagram/schematic for the hose routing on a Sun exhaust analyzer.
What I have is a Sun Infra-Red Engine Performance Analyzer. Model #EET 945
Inspection tags on inside are dated 1975. The exhaust analyzer module model # U-912-I.
Everything works perfectly on this vintage Sun machine except for the exhaust analyzer. The hoses are deteriorated to the point that they are laying in the bottom of the cabinet.
There were some pictures posted in 2016 but they are no longer available in photo bucket. I would really appreciate some pictures or diagrams. Gladly pay for the information.

 

[MDchanic]

Hey.

Re-re-re-re-resurrection of this thread.

I just picked up a 1115 ($125, if you MUST ask, from a reform school).

I've got a (really terrible) set of schematics and service information that I bought off of eBay a couple of years ago (scans of 75th-generation Xerox copies - you know what I mean), which should serve the purpose for me, but the photos that Vulturej apparently consigned to PhotoBucket Hell would be useful, if a person could actually see them.

I'm not planning on setting up any 1980s cars to pass their 1980s emission tests, but, you know, if I've got the machine, it might as well work, right?

For what it's worth, I'd bought an Atlas AMA-460 a couple of years ago (Sun's "low rent label," same as the Sun 1015), but I'd always wanted a 1115, and this one was in good shape, so I couldn't resist. Also, the Sun works, and the Atlas, well, kinda works.

The Atlas has EXACTLY the same electronic components inside as the Sun, which is completely screwing up my plans to sell it, because how could I sell such a trove of spare parts, right?

So, if anyone's got a good, clear, set of schematics or photos for the gas lines, or a nice clear set of scans of operating or service manuals, I'd love to see them.

And, hey, if anyone's got a spare Sun decal for the cabinet door, I'd love one of those, too.

Thanks,

- Eric

 

[BeemerNut]

Months ago a friend getting out of the auto repair business gave away a Sun Investigator machine (1400 series), a Sun VTA-40 battery / alternator tester and a Hunter G111 alignment machine (light not string alignments). All itens witout any owner / operator manuals. Totally lost where to buy manuals or CD's if available.

The G111 Hunter, was told they had a calibrating beam with something else to recalibrate or alignment for the wheel sensors yourself plus a service repair trouble shooting manual. Would like to find them for the G111 machine. All three machines were free just pick them up. Told they all were working last used.
Sun manufacturing person laughted at me asking for support. Told best used as wall art.
Any help would be great, thanks.......Carl.....~~=o&o>......