Tom Gardner wrote:
I'm out of my element trying to test AC valve coils. Usually, If they
fail on me they smoke and crack and smell VERY bad...or, they have no
continuity. But, I've had some go bad with none of those obvious
symptoms. I Googled and for some of the testing methods you need a
magnetomatrix oscifier and capatrometer. There should be an easier way!


inductive ammeter - with AC applied if the coil is conducting at all you
should pick up the amp draw.

Compass and switched DC source. Switch so you can cycle the power to the
coil. Compass to tell if the coil is generating a magnetic field. (Use a
pulsed DC source with a low cycle time for best results)

VOM, non-contact thermometer and the data sheet for the valve.
VOM to measure the resistance of the coil.
NC Therm. to measure the temperature of the coil.
Data sheet to tell you what the correct number should be for a given
temperature.

--
Steve W.