What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[GreyWoolfe]

I just bought another HP 3466A multimeter off of evilbay.  Listed as parts/not working but shown connected to a power supply having an accurate reading.  The seller says the display LEDs don't match the function.  My first one was like that and contact cleaner and vigorous button pushing fixed that.

[xrunner]

Searching for a long time already (with all probes, GPIB and all or a reasonable price - that nrequires to be patient).
Last weekend I got what I was looking for.

Cool. I got one earlier in the year, an excellent scope. You got more with it than I did. Be sure to get a floppy disk for the full user experience! 

[georges80]

Ordered a week ago and Fedex delivered today (across the country). BK9104 that was on sale with an additional price drop that brought it from $495 list to $388.

0-84V and 0-10A (any combo valid as long as total output power is no more than 320W). Now I can test a new LED driver design that runs about 150W output and needs to operate from nominal 48V (44V - 60V input).

New power supply will supplement my Rigol DP1116A (0-16V 0-10A, 0-32V 0-5A).

cheers,
george.

[nanofrog]

It was designed specifically for the military. The meter itself does have true RMS, unlike it's civilian counterpart. But it also included an HV probe (6kV?), and a custom case to fit it all IIRC (DMM, HV probe, standard probes, spare battery).

That refers to the 27 model, not the 27/FM then, so does that also extend to the 25? The one I have does indeed have the custom case but not the HV probe, the back of the meter also carries a MSHA label (Mine Safety and Health Administration and also states United States Department of Labor but does not mention military apart from an embossing in the moulding at the top.

This embossing states "Meets MIL-STD-810C, method 511.1 procedure 1 explosive atmosphere test"

If I understand you correctly, the answer is No in regard to the 27 v. 27/FM. The 27/FM was the military variant (it's NSN or NATO Stock Number is on a silver sticker on the back of the enclosure). So it wasn't just for the US DoD, but available to all NATO member nations (if you're not aware of these). Since some 27's use the same grey enclosure as the 27/FM, the easiest way to sort this out is by the printing on the LCD cover. So if it's missing 27/FM, then it's a civilian model. Regardless if it's in a grey or yellow enclosure.

Internally, U2 is a DIP package marked with Fluke RMS on the main board, while the civilian models don't have it. If repair is necessary, it's all PTH construction save U1.

Of the 8025A, 8025B, 25, 27, 27/FM (military variant), the 27/FM is the only version that has the Fluke RMS chip in it (it's the only SMD part in it BTW). As per the HV probe, it is 6kV peak model (P/N = 80K-6 High Voltage Probe).

The 25 series are all MSHA rated as they were purpose built for that environment. More recent versions used EX after the general P/N, such as the 87V-EX. They also used red for the boot color in order to easily differentiate it was designed for explosive environments. The current intrinsically safe model is the 28 II Ex.

Colors can vary depending on when it was produced (i.e. green, grey, yellow and when they were implemented).

Couple of sources that provide more information:

• Fluke Meters - Models and Series, main page on eBay. Lots of sub pages due to size limit according to the author.
• Fluke 25 - My first Digital Multimeter

Hope this helps. 

[Muttley Snickers]

Earlier on today I had ten minutes to kill so I stopped in on the local Cash Converters Store and found an almost brand new set of these Crescent Ratcheting Cable Cutters, I persuaded the guy to hand them over for fifteen bucks.   

[Cubdriver]

Earlier on today I had ten minutes to kill so I stopped in on the local Cash Converters Store and found an almost brand new set of these Crescent Ratcheting Cable Cutters, I persuaded the guy to hand them over for fifteen bucks.   

   Holy crap!!  Dude, you STOLE that for $15!!!  Looks like they go for something north of $100 new.  Nice score!

-Pat

[djos]

Today I bought myself an iPhone X and the wife an iPhone 8, I must say I’m massively impressed by the X, brilliantly engineered piece of gear, it’s really next level stuff! 

[aargee]

Noice cable cutter!

[tautech]

Earlier on today I had ten minutes to kill so I stopped in on the local Cash Converters Store and found an almost brand new set of these Crescent Ratcheting Cable Cutters, I persuaded the guy to hand them over for fifteen bucks.   

BS they're for cutting cables Muttley, you really got those for your pedicure needs. 

[PartialDischarge]

Today I bought myself an iPhone X and the wife an iPhone 8, I must say I’m massively impressed by the X, brilliantly engineered piece of gear, it’s really next level stuff! 

Great phone but I wouldn't use the face recognition feature if I were u, IR light from the illuminator is bad for the eye and already samsung users have reported discomfort with it

[djos]

Today I bought myself an iPhone X and the wife an iPhone 8, I must say I’m massively impressed by the X, brilliantly engineered piece of gear, it’s really next level stuff! 

Great phone but I wouldn't use the face recognition feature if I were u, IR light from the illuminator is bad for the eye and already samsung users have reported discomfort with it

It’s too damn convenient not to use tbh, it’s just so well integrated and seamless!

I believe apple are using different tech to Samsung so we’ll see how it goes in day to day use.

[Jeroen3]

The IR illuminator is pulsed only during recognition phase. How do you get discomfort from that? You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

[PartialDischarge]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4597594/Samsung-users-say-iris-scanner-causing-eye-discomfort.html

"studies have found that the protein found in the lens of the eye is very sensitive to the infrared radiation used in the biometric and when exposed, can lead to cataract"

You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

I feel my eyes itchy every time I incidentally look at a plate IR illiminator in a car parking.

[rsjsouza]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4597594/Samsung-users-say-iris-scanner-causing-eye-discomfort.html

"studies have found that the protein found in the lens of the eye is very sensitive to the infrared radiation used in the biometric and when exposed, can lead to cataract"

You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

I feel my eyes itchy every time I incidentally look at a plate IR illiminator in a car parking.

I find this statement from the article quite disingenuous, given that I am pretty sure nobody did studies on iris scanning technology leading to cataract - IR exposure maybe, but without more qualifiers (intensity and duration of the exposure, number of years) that is quite an empty claim.

I don't intend to discredit folks that feel strange things when exposed to direct eye exposure to IR beams - the variations of the human body among the population are extreme and can't be "bucketed" into saying technology such and such is "100% safe".

[djos]

The IR illuminator is pulsed only during recognition phase. How do you get discomfort from that? You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

I suspect the issue with Samsung's tech is that the light is focused directly into the iris, Apple's tech illuminates the entire face with 30,000 IR dots instead.

Iris recognition might look cool in the movies, but I think shining focused ir light into the iris a hundred times a day is not such a great idea.

[gamalot]

I've always wanted to have a multi-channel power supply, like the Agilent E3631A, but I've never found a cheap one, so I bought this compact Texio as an alternative.

It's cheap because seller claims it won't turn on and will sold it as 'parts or not working' 

[Specmaster]

I've always wanted to have a multi-channel power supply, like the Agilent E3631A, but I've never found a cheap one, so I bought this compact Texio as an alternative.

It's cheap because seller claims it won't turn on and will sold it as 'parts or not working' 

Don't look now but it's on[emoji23]

[gamalot]

I've always wanted to have a multi-channel power supply, like the Agilent E3631A, but I've never found a cheap one, so I bought this compact Texio as an alternative.

It's cheap because seller claims it won't turn on and will sold it as 'parts or not working' 

Don't look now but it's on[emoji23]

It took me 1 minute to fix it, the mains voltage selector switches were in the wrong position. 

[tooki]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4597594/Samsung-users-say-iris-scanner-causing-eye-discomfort.html

"studies have found that the protein found in the lens of the eye is very sensitive to the infrared radiation used in the biometric and when exposed, can lead to cataract"

You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

I feel my eyes itchy every time I incidentally look at a plate IR illiminator in a car parking.

But sunlight is 52% infrared at the earth’s surface. If anyone were that sensitive to IR, they’d feel like they were on fire in daylight — in the shade, never mind direct sunlight. Or anywhere near an incandescent lamp, or any kind of fire.

[fanOfeeDIY]

I've always wanted to have a multi-channel power supply, like the Agilent E3631A, but I've never found a cheap one, so I bought this compact Texio as an alternative.

It's cheap because seller claims it won't turn on and will sold it as 'parts or not working' 

Nice!

It looks like ex-Kenwood power supply and the brand changed to Texio when Kenwood T&M division was acquired by GW-instek.

Many of them are still used in Japanese assembly lines.

It is a popular power supply because it has very low ripple noise.
If I remember correctly these models were physically heavy:)

[BBBbbb]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4597594/Samsung-users-say-iris-scanner-causing-eye-discomfort.html

"studies have found that the protein found in the lens of the eye is very sensitive to the infrared radiation used in the biometric and when exposed, can lead to cataract"

You'd probably die when walking by IR LED CCTV camera's then.

I feel my eyes itchy every time I incidentally look at a plate IR illiminator in a car parking.

I find this statement from the article quite disingenuous, given that I am pretty sure nobody did studies on iris scanning technology leading to cataract - IR exposure maybe, but without more qualifiers (intensity and duration of the exposure, number of years) that is quite an empty claim.

Actually IR exposure has been studied, and as you concluded no link to cataract or retina issues (UV does hurt retina).
IR light and IR cameras are widely used in many ophthalmic devices (almost all imaging diagnostics and surgical lasers that require eye tracking). Simply the bast way to have enough light on the eye without bothering the patient or changing the pupil size and affecting eye tracking performance.

[gamalot]

I've always wanted to have a multi-channel power supply, like the Agilent E3631A, but I've never found a cheap one, so I bought this compact Texio as an alternative.

It's cheap because seller claims it won't turn on and will sold it as 'parts or not working' 

Nice!

It looks like ex-Kenwood power supply and the brand changed to Texio when Kenwood T&M division was acquired by GW-instek.

Many of them are still used in Japanese assembly lines.

It is a popular power supply because it has very low ripple noise.
If I remember correctly these models were physically heavy:)

Yes, it is only slightly more than half the size of the E3631A (138x124x380 vs 213x133x348), but it is even heavier than the E3631A (9 kg vs 8 kg).

[cncjerry]

I picked up an HP 5061B Cesium Beam Frequency Standard.  The person I bought if from is the recognized expert with HP rubidium standards.  He sent me the Allan Deviation plot for the 5061B demonstrating almost a factor of magnitude than a standard 5061B which he ran on his Hydrogen Maser.  I've been into frequency-nuttery lately having picked up 6 Rubidium standards and splitting my Lucent GPSDO into two.

He also gave me a backup Cesium tube and a matched driver board along with it.  Needless to say it wasn't cheap but I consider it a great deal compared to those I see on eBay.  It's also it excellent external condition.

I have to find a better counter now, something like an SR620 or PM6681.  A local nut and I are going to run some three-hat experiments on our Cs standards as he has two to my one.

Anyway, I'll load a picture or two along the way.

Jerry

[German_EE]

Fudge

Home made fudge being sold from a stall at a Christmas Market, two pieces of each flavor and there are twelve flavors from lemon to 'death by white chocolate'. It was damn expensive but SO good, you can only eat three pieces and you feel full. This bag should last us a week.

Oh, wait, you mean electronic stuff, so sorry 

[bitseeker]

It looks like ex-Kenwood power supply and the brand changed to Texio when Kenwood T&M division was acquired by GW-instek.

Many of them are still used in Japanese assembly lines.

Very interesting. Didn't know that.