Anyone else a Sun Equipment junkie??

[DTE]

I loved having one, I was in my teens using one in 1980 ( a new one ) it was a big unit with a leak down tester and exhaust analyzer on it. I was knee deep in making cars run and those machines were a great help and a real time saver. For the most part you could hook up a couple connections and have a miss located in about 30 seconds. I see a lot of modern day guys can't even tell the motor is missing.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

I love old Sun machines. I have an analyzer and a distributor machine. Purchased them together, and got the original purchase docs along with a boat load of other paperwork from 1959. Also have a COMPLETE set of tune up cards for every American car from 1956 through 1958, plus some others through 73.

I should have, but didn't purchase the VAT 20 that went with these two. Since this pic was taken, I cleaned up the and rebuilt the distributor machine converting all the tubes to solid state transistors. Also installed new power cord, belt, vac hose and all the wiring. It works great.

 

[Owyhee]

Hello, my first post as I've been googling to find where to post an old Sun 370-4V Alternator/Generator test station for sale. I can't start a new thread in classifieds since I'm a new user. If anyone has interest or suggestions on where to sell, we are trying to liquidate some of my late father-in-law's equipment. Thanks in advance!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37258096/IMG_3392.JPG

 

[sha_tay]

anybody know where I can get boards for a sun tut 1015 or 1115?

 

[sambabb]

Looking for a repair/service/schematic for a Sun 1115 engine analyzer. I need to repair the machine at McPherson College.

 

[Outlawmws]

is this it? http://www.docs-engine.com/pdf/1/sun-1115.html

 

[superfastone]

I just love my VAT 33 but can't use it yet. The zero adjust on the dials won't adjust down to zero.
Is there a variable resistor inside that I can adjust? Does anyone have a electrical diagram or service manual? I guess I can just open it up and trace something myself, but I thought a service manual could be found.
I have one for a VAT 40 and Vat 28, but can't find anything other than user instructions for the VAT33.
I had the same problem on the SnapOn AVR below it and found an adustment on the board that got some adjustment back to the front dial. It remains very sensitive to zero adjust. Maybe thats the way it is on a a digital machine.
Any tips or leads would be appreciated.

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[j-guenth]

I've had a Sun Battery Charger since the early 70's and it is still going strong. I had to change the charging cables and the power cord.

I won't ever sell it!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

I just love my VAT 33 but can't use it yet. The zero adjust on the dials won't adjust down to zero.
Is there a variable resistor inside that I can adjust? Does anyone have a electrical diagram or service manual? I guess I can just open it up and trace something myself, but I thought a service manual could be found.
I have one for a VAT 40 and Vat 28, but can't find anything other than user instructions for the VAT33.
I had the same problem on the SnapOn AVR below it and found an adustment on the board that got some adjustment back to the front dial. It remains very sensitive to zero adjust. Maybe thats the way it is on a a digital machine.
Any tips or leads would be appreciated.

]

I'm going to guess that :
a: any electrolytic caps inside are out of spec or dead. and need replaced, and:

b: after that is take care of it will need calibrated. (I built a heath kit version in HS and there was a calibration process to get it setup...)

 

[theoldwizard1]

I just love my VAT 33 but can't use it yet. The zero adjust on the dials won't adjust down to zero.

If you really want to restore it to 100% working order, you are going to have send the meters out to a metrology lab to be rebuilt/calibrated. Open your wallet W I D E !

 

[mikey_a]

I was looking for a timing light the other day and came across a TUT-1015 that had one. The guy was basically giving it away so I bought it. Figured it was worth the price for the cart alone. Problem is it didn't come with any manual. Would anyone have an electronic copy they could share with me. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jean-Pierre Fontana]

I have two Sun tester
one complete and partially operational SUN 1115
one SUN vat 40,( purchased new long ago) complete, not operational
Would like to sell both cheap
I need a small working SUN vat 28 or equivalent if in perfect shape, willing to trade

Note: oxyloscope was still working until recently, now only a baseline, all else powerup, light up. all leads, original guide. Strobe light not blinking.
Talk to me JPF

 

[engineer2]

FYI, there is a guy in Michigan who repairs Sun distributor testers.
http://www.paramountd.com/
Here is a link with soome vinstage Sun pictures
http://bambam.gmu.edu/sun/

 

[Homebody]

I just got one identical to this. The actual sign on it is worth 2-3 times the price of the whole unit.
I'm gonna put my old stereo equipment in the cabinet of it and wire it so the gauges come on when the stereo is playing.
Already pitched all the other **** that came with it..lol

 

[Outlawmws]

I've done that with old Oscilloscopes, thats the part you want to get going from the sound...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I just love my VAT 33 but can't use it yet. The zero adjust on the dials won't adjust down to zero.

You will likely have to find a metrology lab and they may have to "rebuild" that meter because all the adjustments are mechanical. $$$


I have been looking on and off for a VAT 28 or 33 for years. I can not find one that is "complete" or that the seller doesn't want an arm and a leg for.

 

[Karlos_The_Spy]

Sun certainly made some nice pieces of test equipment. I have owned the Sun 920 and VAT-26 since 1983 and they have always performed when called upon. Unfortunately I do not have a manual for the Sun 920 but I did find a manual for a VAT-20 which appears to have the same features as my VAT-26. The operation of these is pretty straight forward even without a manual. I would love to see a manual and see if there are engine diagnostic steps spelled out, or just to have it with the test equipment when I sell them.

 

[gnpenning]

Given that I have several pieces of old iron I kept an eye out for a old Sun machine. Picked up a 1215 for what I thought was a fair price. Wanted a 1115 but happy. Yes it's big. I pulled the printer off and stored it.

I need some information on calibration of the exhaust analyzer if anyone can help out.

 

[MBfreak]

GN Penning.

The gas analyzer in most SUNs were made by Beckmans ( a very high quality chemical instruments company. ) There is a sticker somewhere on the unit which has a patent number. Google that and you will have access to the complete schematic diagram.
The two tuned wavelength sensors for the CO and HC channels are virtually impossible to get hold of. I searched for modern replacements without luck.
A good cleaning , but very careful, of the filter in front of the sensor can help, as well as cleaning the optic path .
The IR source seems to last forever. The chopper circuit is triggered by photo sensors on a toothed wheel, basically LED source and and photo sensors, that can be replaced by any modern electronic photocell source and sensor.

The design of the electronics is really interesting for a geek like me. VERY innovative. Analog calculator at a high level!!

A side note. Acouple of years the design brain behind this CO/HC bench at Beckmans was a GJer and even posted a pic of himself back at Beckmans in the early 70´s. ( "I was the go-to guy for this at Beckmans" )If you trawl for Beckmans here, you might be lucky.

Best regards

Ola

 

[gnpenning]

MB thanks! ! When I get a chance I'll check it out.

 

[70staged]

I would love to find the distributor machine, generator tester, and the 1120 or something close to the 1120

 

[Rod7515]

I have a Vat 40 that was my dads from back in the 80's. I just purchased a Sun Interrogator 1085 but need more information on how it works. If anyone has some time to BS about this piece I would greatly appreciate it. Send me a PM and I will gladly call you. Im hoping I can use the Scope side of this as my dad has always regretted selling his sun tester from the late 70's and always tells me he wishes he had his scope back. Hoping someone will contact me and give me some help!
Thanks Rod

 

[HSURDDY]

Reviving the thread.... just brought this one home.... I believe the scope was added later.... can't solve the rotated image...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sun saw the writing on the wall that high voltage oscilloscopes were soon going to be useless (every Sun 'scope I have seen assumes you have one coil and a distributor; I don't know if they had some kind of adapter for the old GM HEI where the coil was mpunted on the cap). The sold out to Snap On.

 

[Tim C]

Sun saw the writing on the wall that high voltage oscilloscopes were soon going to be useless (every Sun 'scope I have seen assumes you have one coil and a distributor; I don't know if they had some kind of adapter for the old GM HEI where the coil was mpunted on the cap). The sold out to Snap On.

They did. The sun machine at work has a clamp for a wire, a clip on lead for hei, and a clip on lead for Honda or Toyota with the internal coil. We only use it a few times a year anymore.

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[fordcragar]

I have a Sun 1115 and a 504 Distributor machine.

 

[engineer2]

My Bear machine will work on HEI, Toyota and up to 8 cylinder distributorless ignition with plug wires. It got to be a pain with coil-on-plug to connect plug wires to each one. Connecting to primary ignition became impossible too. That and OBDII ended the "big box" analyzer era.

They are still great tool for muscle cars though. Haven't tried mine with MSD ignition, but I suspect it would cause triggering issues with the scope and RPM.

A scope is very useful. Once in a while it's handy to see a live signal from a sensor. Used to find lazy O2 sensors and noisy TPS's.

I used to have a Sun Master Motor Tester, but mine didn't have the roll cage. Yours looks to be in pretty good shape. Never got much of it working and parts weren't available (even with connections at Sun), so I junked it.

 

[Butchdon]

My fiend has a Sun Model TUT-915-R.

He got when when his boss told him to clean out this "old" stuff from the garage. It was all working when he brought it home, but he just let it sit in his home garage for years. Now everything works except the "kill" buttons.

I'm an electronics tech not a real car guy, so I looked online for a manual and someone recommended this forum.

Any ideas what could be wrong with the tester? Since none of the kill buttons work, I figure it must be something common to all 8 buttons. If I had a schematic maybe I could figure it out.

Know anyplace where I could find a schematic for the tester?

Thanks

 

[Halifaxhops]

I have a bunch of scopes, testers, vats, three distrib testers I restore them just have to have them yes I am hooked!

 

[rcourtem]

I have MEA 1500 and a 1805. I don't like the scope pattern on the 1805, the 1500 seems much better.

 

[Nascat]

I have a Sun tester with four different and separate test modules self contained in a Sun decaled case. I believe the case is from sun, well it definitely looks that way. Very well made and everything is fitted perfectly in the case.. Has all the cables, adapters..etc Plus this previous owner (deceased) hotrodder/dragster added a Heathkit engine analyzer in one of the component bin's. The case is 20x15x9 or 10 inches.
Has anyone ever seen one of these?
I would load some photos but it ask for a url for the photo. I have some Jpeg's of it, but cannot copy/paste them into the message. Sorry new to here...how can load the images?

 

[gnpenning]

Use the go advance button, then add photo.

 

[Outlawmws]

Posting pics 101:

Start from the "Go Advanced" posting menus, or the "Post Reply" button near the bottom of any page, (Or hit the "paperclip" button to get to the upload popup); and at step 5 copy it into the URL field after hitting the "postcard" button: (Step 4/5 is optional; you will still have thumbnails)

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[dodge610]

Another not sun but still a nifty piece in my garage and it still works.


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[The Wog]

Hi, everyone, newby here with forums. I have joined this one as so far I have got a Sun Vat-40 (with stand), Sun RDT-2, & a Sun Vat-20 (with stand). I regularly use the Vat-40 & RDT-2. Almost forgot the Sun 404 distributor tester. Very handy.
I had to do repairs to the Vat-40 when I got it, had to fix the volt gauge & amp clamp, now working perfect.
The Sun 404, had quite a few electrical repair to do to it, but very happy to get it.
The RDT-2 was in very good condition when I got it, no repairs needed.
The Vat-20 I am repairing at the moment. I have rebuilt the stand which was badly cut & ripped apart for shipping. My main thing I need is a volt gauge for it. When it arrived the rheostat panel and front panel where the volt gauge is, was badly bent in, wrecking the volt gauge. Glass and metal through the front gauge rotor spring pulling it to pieces. If it wasn't for that I could have repaired it, as the front gauge face panel is still good. I have repaired the panels, but need a volt gauge for it. Has anyone got one for sale? I have calibrated the amp gauge which was miles out. Just need to replace the cracked heavy cables, when I get a volt gauge. Can anyone help me out with a volt gauge? Please!!!

 

[GarageJunkie69]

Just joined this group a few days ago. I relate to your addiction to old Sun Equipment, I now have 4 pieces and can't seem to stay away from any sale ads for old Sun stuff. In the process of going through my Sun Model 320 Engine Analyzer and am amazed at the quality of this Sun Equipment. Built to live in a tough environment and keep working.

 

[WagonHo!]

Love Sun cabinets, great design and build quality like no other. This one I picked up rolls smooth and the Bakelite knob latch works and feels solid, paint is lustrous McQueen blue.

 

[Terranova]

Anyone have an extra one of these laying around?

 

[Carguy59]

Guys I’m a newby I have a TUT-915-R I am also looking for a manual or hand book if anyone knows where I can get one please let me know

 

[Odd Job]

I guess I'm on this thread now. I carted home an old Master Motor Tester that was not at all well stored. I was pleased to find only one dried up rat up behind the panel. A bit of research shows a front decal available. I'll be doing a total resto on this.......eventually. I think the biggest issue for me will be recreating the white lettering on the individual meter boxes. Any advice would be appreciated.