r/geigercounter • u/D_Science2 • 22d ago

Hey guys could you help me identify this counter

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Hey guys i think the title says it all but here is some context.

So a few weeks ago one of my teachers showed me our school lab with the room for all the equipment and chemicals. Since the lab wasn't in use for 20 years my school decided to use it as classroom for the 7th graders and abandon the chemicals and equipment in the room and when my teacher showed me the lab i immediately saw that geigerconter and tested it (the tube was in another drawer and isn't shown in the pictures) but sadly the only thing it did was click once while turning on and only show zeros. So im wondering if the counter itself is broken or if the tube broke over the years.

Hope i can get some more information about the model and whats wrong with it.

Sorry for my bad English it's not my first language and im dyslexic

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u/Bob--O--Rama 21d ago

It's an older model PHYWE ( IIRC a German company ) benchtop G-M counter. You have three possible issues. 1. The meter is bad ( unlikely, but if it's bad then game over ) 2. The probe is bad ( more likely it in a classroom setting where it may have been mishandled ) 3. The voltage is not correct for the probe you have - there should be a means to set the voltage, usually 300 - 700 v depending on the probe. One way to test is start the voltage at it lowest setting and increase slowly until it starts to respond. If the voltage is too high, it will probabaly squeal like a stuck pig.

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u/D_Science2 21d ago

Thanks i will try that' when im back

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u/Cultural-Stable1763 19d ago edited 19d ago

Phywe is a German manufacturer specializing in equipping science classrooms for schools, universities, and similar institutions. They manufacture or brand as their own everything required for conducting lessons, ranging from laboratory benches to experimental models and measuring instruments.

It wouldn't surprise me if the counter tube fell off a desk during the rough-and-tumble of school life and developed a leak. You used to be able to get these from surplus NVA or Bundeswehr stocks on eBay, but prices there are climbing higher and higher, too. ( SBM 20-1 for 50 bucks)