Author Topic: Sun VAT-33 battery/Charging System Tester -- refurbish  (Read 2447 times)

Offline goodfellow

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Sun VAT-33 battery/Charging System Tester -- refurbish
« on: October 10, 2020, 12:06:47 PM »
Note: These threads are old. I managed to restore these Sun Automotive Equipment threads from backups that I had made several years ago.
Hope you like them -

This tester was a true find. Not too may were ever made, and the one's that left the production line were mostly sold for export. It's unique because it was the last of the "red series" models and was also the first VAT to use an inductive pickup. The next version was the most popular VAT-40; which was produced with the now distinctive wide gauges and "cabinet style" form factor.

If you happen to find one of these at a garage sale or swap meet; buy it!! They are the most rare and sought after of all vintage VAT testers, because they included test functions for both old and new ignition systems (it could test both generators and alternators with ease).

What a nice tester this is -- some parts are modular "solid state" components interlaced with old fashioned 50's vintage electronics.

The magnetic pickup was rewired, as was the low side battery leads. Other than that, the cabinet received some hammered paint and the face was thoroughly cleaned with a soft brush and solvent. The knobs and brass hardware were also removed, cleaned and buffed.

refurbished face plate and primary leads/clamps




Magnetic pickup, field wire and low-side battery leads were rewired.



Outside cabinet received fresh hammered paint and a brushed undercarriage.