What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[Mr. Scram]

Just got given one of these. A CI-94 Oscilloscope from Russia (1984). It's in perfect physical condition, looks like it was just taken out of the box, but I won't be turning it on until I've checked replaced those Russian electrolytics from the 80's. Strangely, the early ones (including the one I got) used a DIN connection for the probe instead of BNC.
Difficult to see in the picture (not my actually device), but it's tiny, the front is only 9cm x 18cm!

McBryce.

That's one good looking device! I love the design.

[rdl]

Mastech, or somebody, used to make a small 10MHz analog scope with CRT that had the same vertical format design. I almost bought one because I had limited space at that time. That was around 15 years ago though. I doubt it's still made.

[jimdeane]

Just scored an old VT220 from the office.



Oh, and is someone missing a stapler?

Nice terminal!  I would love to have one just to plug into my linux box and play like it's 1992.

Holy grail for me right now: I want a red/orange plasma display GRiD systems laptop from the 80's. Second option, I'd like a yellow EL display GRiD  Compass like flew on the Space Shuttle in the mid 80's.

I would LOVE to have a full size monochrome red/orange plasma display.  Why?  I've just always loved the appearance.

[McBryce]

Nice terminal!  I would love to have one just to plug into my linux box and play like it's 1992.

Holy grail for me right now: I want a red/orange plasma display GRiD systems laptop from the 80's. Second option, I'd like a yellow EL display GRiD  Compass like flew on the Space Shuttle in the mid 80's.

I would LOVE to have a full size monochrome red/orange plasma display.  Why?  I've just always loved the appearance.

The Toshiba T5200 laptop had a very nice orange plasma screen and are still regularly up on ebay. It was also a halfway ok laptop for the time.

McBryce.

[boffin]

Just scored an old VT220 from the office.



Oh, and is someone missing a stapler?

Nice terminal!  I would love to have one just to plug into my linux box and play like it's 1992.

Holy grail for me right now: I want a red/orange plasma display GRiD systems laptop from the 80's. Second option, I'd like a yellow EL display GRiD  Compass like flew on the Space Shuttle in the mid 80's.

I would LOVE to have a full size monochrome red/orange plasma display.  Why?  I've just always loved the appearance.

I'm going to pull +5 out of it to drive a RPi ZeroW.  Haven't decided if I'll build the zero internally, but I might.

[shakalnokturn]

Sold as fully working, came with battery contamination / corrosion, higher  ranges false and 10's of mV DC offset. Luckily it was cheap enough to be worth it even after spending 3 hours decontaminating PCB and reworking tracks / vias. Appears to be saved and is only waiting a new battery holder now.
It will be fed lithium cells only!

[tsman]

It will be fed lithium cells only!

This may not be a good idea. Fresh Lithium cells start off at 1.8V and can cause problems in low current applications because the voltage doesn't immediately droop to 1.5V. Dave's 121GW shouldn't be used with fresh Lithium cells because of this. Your one might be similar. Hard to tell though without spending a lot of time reverse engineering it.

Some low self discharge NiMH batteries like the Eneloops or the rebranded Eneloops like the IKEA LADDA are a better choice IMO and cheaper.

[glarsson]

Received a box containing two Agilent 66319D, bought for almost nothing. I bought them unseen for use as spare parts for the 66319D I already have, but now I realize that I can't use them for that.

The first one I unpacked is missing a foot and the knob, have problems powering on sometimes and needs calibration. Probably easy to fix.

The second one is squeaky clean both outside and inside and seems to work just fine.

So instead of spare parts I will soon have three working 66319D. That was not the plan.

[bitseeker]

Just scored an old VT220 from the office.



Oh, and is someone missing a stapler?

Nice terminal!  I would love to have one just to plug into my linux box and play like it's 1992.

I'm going to pull +5 out of it to drive a RPi ZeroW.  Haven't decided if I'll build the zero internally, but I might.

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I have a Wyse 30+ terminal that I can't decide what I want to use it for.

[tooki]

Mastech, or somebody, used to make a small 10MHz analog scope with CRT that had the same vertical format design. I almost bought one because I had limited space at that time. That was around 15 years ago though. I doubt it's still made.

You mean like these ST16A scopes that constantly pollute the local auction site at silly prices?

[TERRA Operative]

Got a delivery of another POS boat anchor to restore.

Tektronix 577 Curve Tracer with the 177 test fixture.

[rdl]

That does look a lot like it, vertical format and all, but it's hard to say if it's the exact one.

Mastech, or somebody, used to make a small 10MHz analog scope with CRT that had the same vertical format design. I almost bought one because I had limited space at that time. That was around 15 years ago though. I doubt it's still made.

You mean like these ST16A scopes that constantly pollute the local auction site at silly prices?

[blackbird]

Holy grail for me right now: I want a red/orange plasma display GRiD systems laptop from the 80's. Second option, I'd like a yellow EL display GRiD  Compass like flew on the Space Shuttle in the mid 80's.

It's not a plasma GRiD but still a nice one, the Gridcase 1530. Got it from my father, don't know how he got this one. The dark spots in the center of the pictures are caused by my phone (dust in the camera).
The laptop is functional if I can manage to reset the startup password. Disconneting the battery did not work 

[bitseeker]

Got a delivery of another POS boat anchor to restore.

Tektronix 577 Curve Tracer with the 177 test fixture.

You get some really nice POS.

[salvagedcircuitry]

Holy grail for me right now: I want a red/orange plasma display GRiD systems laptop from the 80's. Second option, I'd like a yellow EL display GRiD  Compass like flew on the Space Shuttle in the mid 80's.

It's not a plasma GRiD but still a nice one, the Gridcase 1530. Got it from my father, don't know how he got this one. The dark spots in the center of the pictures are caused by my phone (dust in the camera).
The laptop is functional if I can manage to reset the startup password. Disconneting the battery did not work 

Try pulling the bios/cmos battery. However, it's likely dead this long after production.

[shakalnokturn]

It will be fed lithium cells only!

This may not be a good idea. Fresh Lithium cells start off at 1.8V and can cause problems in low current applications because the voltage doesn't immediately droop to 1.5V. Dave's 121GW shouldn't be used with fresh Lithium cells because of this. Your one might be similar. Hard to tell though without spending a lot of time reverse engineering it.

Some low self discharge NiMH batteries like the Eneloops or the rebranded Eneloops like the IKEA LADDA are a better choice IMO and cheaper.

Thanks for the tip, I wasn't aware of this kind of problem. I have tried it on Lithiums and not found any issues, a MAX856 is used as step-up to 5V in this meter.
The DMM's internal battery measurement reports the (new) Lithium cells as 3.3V, that's lower than the 3.6V measured externally.

[FrankBuss]

Got a grinder, "Proxxon Tellerschleifgerät TG 125/E". Nice little tool.

[tooki]

*disc sander. A grinder is the thing with hard discs (like a Winkelschleifer) or stone (like the grinders for sharpening blades).

How do you like proxxon’s other tools, like the sander? So far I just have a proxxon “dremel” (IBS/E and the MB200 drill stand).

[maginnovision]

Bought an R&S NGPE supply. Didn't work because some caps were shorted, and possibly bad regulators. Because of that the +15V rail was low and unit thought it was pulling about 50A at all times. In the process of fixing it by replacing every tantalum capacitor and all of the +15V regulators. Also had no mains cable so I had to find the right connector(4 pin circular amphenol connector) and make a cable. The amps panel meter is cracked but I can't seem to find any part number or a similar style. I have every board out of the unit and all the tantalums removed and all ready to be replaced. Parts don't come for a couple days though. After that hopefully it'll work.

[DC1MC]

Bought an R&S NGPE supply. Didn't work because some caps were shorted, and possibly bad regulators. Because of that the +15V rail was low and unit thought it was pulling about 50A at all times. In the process of fixing it by replacing every tantalum capacitor and all of the +15V regulators. Also had no mains cable so I had to find the right connector(4 pin circular amphenol connector) and make a cable. The amps panel meter is cracked but I can't seem to find any part number or a similar style. I have every board out of the unit and all the tantalums removed and all ready to be replaced. Parts don't come for a couple days though. After that hopefully it'll work.

Totally get rid of the two blue elcos on the middle boards, I never seen a case when they don't create problems.

 DC1MC

[maginnovision]

Bought an R&S NGPE supply. Didn't work because some caps were shorted, and possibly bad regulators. Because of that the +15V rail was low and unit thought it was pulling about 50A at all times. In the process of fixing it by replacing every tantalum capacitor and all of the +15V regulators. Also had no mains cable so I had to find the right connector(4 pin circular amphenol connector) and make a cable. The amps panel meter is cracked but I can't seem to find any part number or a similar style. I have every board out of the unit and all the tantalums removed and all ready to be replaced. Parts don't come for a couple days though. After that hopefully it'll work.

Totally get rid of the two blue elcos on the middle boards, I never seen a case when they don't create problems.

 DC1MC

What sort of problems? The power unit also uses some Philips HP caps but much higher voltage ratings. The ones on the smaller boards are for the split +15 / -15 rails.

[Jeroen3]

I bought this. And it's really useful doing things in my first house I also bought recently.

My new house will have a 3.5x3.5M attic room, space for an electronics room!

[beanflying]

I was going to convert this HP Battery module to LiPo's but decided to swap out the 2500 long dead NiCads for 'allegedly' 10000mAh NiMh instead to keep the other mods to a minimum. Under $4 USD each delivered on special so also a chunk cheaper than LiPo's.

I will be testing your claims Eastlakes Electronics so you had better not have used  marketing or I will claim on your evilbay/paypal butt and leave appropriate feedback 

Time to breakout the vinegar and water to clean up the crusty crystals on the chassis.

[FrankBuss]

How do you like proxxon’s other tools, like the sander? So far I just have a proxxon “dremel” (IBS/E and the MB200 drill stand).

Can't read the type number anymore, it's scratched, but I have a small dremel from Proxxon as well with a stand. Works pretty good for drilling small holes (a few millimeters) or cutting traces. But for bigger holes I need my drill press.

[TERRA Operative]

Picked up yet another portable mini TV from Akihabara, along with a 'Corning' brand 10MHz crystal oscillator.

Having a bit of trouble finding info on it though, it's part number MC833X4-006W and cross references to HP part number 1813-0644.

Anyone got any ideas how to find a pinout for this thing?