BUILDING THE CDV700Pro Geiger-Mueller / Scintillation Counter

© July 2005, David Prutchi, Ph.D. www.prutchi.com

 David Prutchi’s CDV700 Pro
• George Dowell (A.K.A. K0FF, GeoElectronics) started the trend of
modifying the Electro Neutronics CD V-700 model 6b into a Lionel
CD V-700 model 6b clone. In George’s words:

“The Electro-Neutronics CD V-700 model 6b has had a bad

reputation for 40 years. On the other hand, the Lionel CD V 700
model 6b is regarded by many as the best circuit ever.
Surprisingly, of all the variations in CD V 700's I have seen,
including Victoreen's various models, and the Antons, there is no
circuit more similar to the Lionel's than the ENi! At least it is
similar enough to make a logical transformation that is really
significant electronically, but easy to do. In my opinion the
physical layout of the ENi is better than that of the Lionel, so the
merger of the Lionel circuit concept into the ENi mechanical
layout really does give the best of both worlds. By performing
the simple and inexpensive K0FF LENi mod, you can create a
Lionel clone from an ENI.”
 David Prutchi’s CDV700 Pro
• The “CDV700 Pro” is based on K0FF’s LENi, but adds the following
features:

– Preamplifier to make it compatible with scintillation

probes (GM tubes can still be used)
– Selectable, regulated bias voltage (900V or 1,200V)
for connection to GM tubes and photomultiplier tubes.
A blinking indicator warns of the high voltage
selection.
– Noise-reduction circuitry eliminates hum.
– Internal piezo clicker.
– Power input jack saves batteries when powered from
car or AC-operated power supply.
– 8-digit digital counter.
 CDV700 Pro Controls
Integrator capacitor Meter response selector
reset (Fast/Slow)

Probe type selector

(GM tube or scintillator)

External 3VDC
power input
Blinking indicator warns
of 1,200V HV selection
Headphone
jack
Probe connector
CDV700 Pro Displays
Analog rate meter

8-digit count
totalizer
 -15V

R4
- 35k
M1
R1 R2

A
50uA METER
27k 10k R6 + C1
HEADPHONE 19k D3 200uF 3V
SW1C
OUTPUT OFF 30PIV SILICON +
D2 X100
AMPHENOL 75-PC-1M 30PIV SILICON R3 X10
C2
1.9k X1
1 R7
8.2k
-15V
0.05uF
D1 C3
J1 30PIV SILICON Q2 0.002uF 50V
PNP
SW1B
OFF R8 R5
X100 150k 39k
X10
X1

C5 D7 PNP
0.01uF 2kV 30PIV GERMANIUM Q3

C4
L1
0.018uF 50V

24mH 150 Ohm

Geiger Mueller Tube
COAX

HIGH VOLTAGE

R12
2.7M
SW1A
OFF
-3V
D5
R13 T1
-15V D4 1k 8 2
BT1 BT2 N/A 30PIV SILICON
1.5V 1.5V 1350PIV SELENIUM
5
7 C8
0.01uF 2kV
C6 + D6
BT3 BT4 25uF 25V 15.5V 6 11
1.5V 1.5V
Q4 ENI CD V-700 TRANSFORMER
PNP

Schematic of unmodified Electro Neutronics

CD V-700 Model 6-b Geiger-Mueller Survey Meter
David Prutchi, July 2005
ENi CD V-700 model 6b PCB
component location
 Schematic Diagram of
David Prutchi’s CDV700 Pro
 Step 1: Convert the ENi CD V-700
into a LENi (almost…)
• Study the schematic diagram of the original ENi CD V-700 and
identify the components on the PCB.
• Disconnect the GM probe.
• Follow George Dowell’s instructions for modifying the power supply
section:
– Remove Zener diode CR6 (sometimes 2 diodes in series) and
discard, it will not be used.
– Remove R13 and reinstall it in series with the base lead going to
– the oscillator transistor.
– Add a .0022μF 50V capacitor between the base and collector of
transistor V4 (Q4).
– Substitute CR5 (D5) by a modern >5kV silicon diode. I use a
Fuji ESJA53-20A, 20kV, 0.5A, 5mA diode
– Substitute C8 by a modern 0.01uF @ 3kV capacitor.
– Substitute C5 by a 0.0022uF @ 3kV capacitor.
– Replace R13 by a 1.8MΩ and a 3.3MΩ in series.
To Probe
R12
3.3M
-3V R17
1.8M

D5
C6 T1
+ 47uF 60V D4 8 2
1N4001
15kV Silicon
5
7
C10 C8
0.0025 0.01uF 3kV
6 11

Q4 R13
2N404A 1k ENI CD V-700 TRANSFORMER
 Check your progress
• Check that your DMM has a 10MΩ input impedance when set to a
range suitable for measuring 200VDC (use a second multimeter to
measure the resistance across the input terminals of your DMM).
• String 9 10MΩ resistors in series to make a X10 probe:
Body of plastic ballpoint
pen contains 9 10MΩ
resistors in series
Silicone-coated
probe cable
Dab of epoxy

Wire-wrapping pin
Banana plug

• Use this probe to measure the voltage across C8. With no GM tube
connected, you should measure between ~1,300 and ~1,900VDC
(130 to 190V on your multimeter).
 Step 2: Build the Zener Stack
• Build the Zener-diode stack using 9 1N5383 150V Zeners and 2
NTE5081A 24V Zeners.
• Use piece of perfboard as a substrate. Place 1 layer of Kapton
insulation and add C15 to the back side of the board. Wrap the
assembly with Kapton tape.

R17 D13 D14

1.8M 24V 24V

D5

D12 D15
150V 150V
15kV Silicon

C8 D11 D16
0.01uF 3kV 150V 150V

D10 D17
150V 150V

C15
0.001uF 3kV D9 D18
150V 150V
 Step 3: Connect the Zener Stack
• Mount the Zener-diode regulator board onto the CD V-700
PCB. Make a small hole on the edge of the CDV’s PCB and
connect the ground end of the regulator board directly to the
ground line on the CDV’ PCB:

Make hole and connect directly to GND

• Check your progress: If you power the instrument, the voltage
across C15 should be ~1,200V and ~900V if you short the
cathode of D17 to GND.
 Step 4: Add Biasing Circuit
• Add R14, R15, R16 and C9. Consult George Dowell’s
instructions on modifying the CD V-700 PCB to accommodate
these components.
R16
22k

SW1A
OFF
-3V

R14
N/A 1.2k

R15
C9 3.3k
0.1uF 50V
 Step 5: Modify Metering Circuit
• Remove CR7 (D7). Connect the emitters of the metering
transistors in parallel and route them to the -3V line.
Consult George Dowell’s instructions on modifying the
CD V-700 PCB.
• Replace L1 with an 18kΩ 1/2W resistor (R18 in the
CDV700 Pro schematic).
• Modify the circuit to insert a 10Ω 1/2W resistor between
the anode of D4 and the “-15V” line feeding the metering
circuit.
• Replace C6 by a 47μF 60V electrolytic capacitor.
• Replace C1 by two 100μF capacitors. Leave the
negative terminal of one of these capacitors open so that
it can be connected to the front-panel time-constant
selection switch.
 Step 6: Mount Probe BNC
Connector
• Remove and discard the sealing nut
through which the GM probe cable
passed.
• Tap this hole using a 3/8” diameter 32 tpi
pitch tap (McMaster-Carr 25705A64 ).
• Mount a non-isolated bulkhead BNC
connector (Jameco 71589) on this tapped
hole.
 Step 7: Modify Front Panel
• Drill front panel
(use casting
marks on back
side) to
accommodate the
extra switches,
connectors, piezo
speaker and LED:
 Step 8: Wire the Front Panel to PCB
• Wire the instrument using clean, new cable with
insulation for the appropriate voltage rating.
• Route cables next to the enclosure and keep
connections as short, direct and clean as
possible.
• Use high-voltage test lead wire between the
PCB and the center terminal of the probe BNC.
• Use good heat-shrink tubing to dress all switch
connections.
• Keeping things tidy will really pay off later. Once
the PMT preamplifier is added, noise will creep
into the system if you don’t pay attention to your
wiring habits.
Step 9: Test your “Almost LENi”
• Measure the voltage at the BNC connector using
the high-impedance X10 probe:
– You should read ~1,200V with the probe selector
switch in the “Scintillator” position. The blinking LED
should light up and blink.
– You should read ~900V with the probe selector switch
in the GM position. The LED should remain off.
• Turn the probe selector switch to the “GM”
position. Connect a GM probe (e.g. the original
CD V-700 probe that has been connectorized).
The unit should produce background clicks and
be able to detect the radiation emitted by the
operational check source.
Step 10: Install the Digital Totalizer
• Use a nibbling tool to cut a 68mm x 33mm rectangular
hole on the enclosure bottom to accommodate the
Veeder-Root A103-000 Totalizer.
• Connect the totalizer to the circuit and verify that the
counter advances once for every “click”
 Step 11: Build the Preamplifier
• Build the preamplifier circuit on a small piece of
prototyping board. Keep wires short and the circuit neat
and organized.
-15V
R23
D25 R20 10k 100uF C16
C14
+
1N914 1M Q7 0.1uF
2N3904
C12
Q5
2N3906
Q6
2N3906 R25
R21 R22 10k 0.0022uF
1M 33k

C11 D24 R24 10k R26 R27 1k

+

10pF 1N914 10k

Gain
PREAMPLIFIER BOARD C13 10uF
Step 12: Mount the Preamplifier
• Unsolder C5.
• Mount the preamplifier board directly onto the CD V-700
PCB as shown in the pictures and wire C5 and C12
between the preamplifier board and the CD V700 PCB:

C12
GND
C5
“-15V”
C16
C17

• Add the ground wire and bypass capacitors C16 and

C17.
 Step 13: Complete Assembly
• Add a 2-D-cell plastic battery to make space for
the preamplifier circuit. Make some mounting
holes on the PCB and mount it using ¼” nylon
spacers.
• Connect a scintillation probe (next section), set
the probe selector switch accordingly and trim
R26.
• CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed
modifying the ENi CD V-700 model 6b into a
CDV700 Pro!
David Prutchi’s Scintillation
Probe for the CDV700 Pro

Thick cardboard tube ~2” ID

XP2102 PMT
Voltage
divider

8” x 2” dia NaI(Tl) scintillation 2” OD

crystal in steel jacket PVC
 Index-coupling gel or adhesive

Photonis XP2102
Photomultiplier Tube

Cathode

Anode
DY10
DY1

DY2

DY3

DY4

DY5

DY6

DY7

DY8

DY9
Grid

NaI( Tl) Crystal

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12

10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M 10M

C1 C2 C3

C4 0.01uF 0.01uF 0.01uF To CDV700 Pro

J1

1
0.0047uF 3kV

2
Schematic of Scintillation Probe for "CDV700 Pro"
David Prutchi, www.prutchi.com July 2005
Other Scintillation Probe Ideas
• Charlie Thompson’s paint can
scintillator:
http://home.austin.rr.com/cthom
pson15/PaintCanScint.html

• Charlie Thompson’s
Hamamatsu R1307 conversion
circuit:
http://home.austin.rr.com/cthom
pson15/R1307-10.gif
 APPENDIX

A compilation of material by
George Dowell on modifying
the ENi CD V700 model 6b
into a “LENi”
K0FF’s Zener Diode Board