Selenium cells

[mrmekon]

Anybody know what a normal voltage range is for a small selenium cell? I got a 'Hickok Duplex' meter with a camera I bought, and the needle didn't move. I popped it apart and measured the voltage coming out of the cell... it ranges from 0 in the dark to 380mV held a few inches from a 13W fluorescent bulb, and seems pretty linear in between.

I don't know what the range is supposed to be. Is it diminished from old age, or is the cell working and the needle mechanism is broken?

I assume cell size is important, too. It looks like about .75" x .5".

 

[Q.G.]

Selenium cells do not age. They just keep on working as ever.

One thing that can happen to them is that the glass seal they are in is broken. Typically by corroded leads cracking the glass.
If the seal is compromised, they deteriorate pretty rapidly, and stop working completely.

So it will be the microamperemeter that is broken.

 

[mrmekon]

Thanks. I got in deeper and found the electromagnet's coil was broken. It's garbage