Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Cubdriver]

But now I've already caught myself looking at vintage HP supplies again on eBay.

The result:  1 6632b and 2 6216As.

Rationalization:  1) My favorite PSU - a 6632a - doesn't have a VFD or a knob.
                          2) I need a couple of small, quiet PSUs for my desk in the house
                          3) The were too cheap to pass up!   

Nicely done.  I like my 621xA power supplies - they're very handy little creatures, and stack nicely.  The 6632B looks like a fine piece of hardware too.  And variable power supplies definitely should have knobs!

-Pat

[mtdoc]

I have a Agilent 66332A in my rack that has both of those. I got it because it can sink current as well as source it so i have it as a electronic DC load. Tho not a big fan of it cause of the said fan being so loud when it runs.

I replaced the fan on my 6632a with one of these temp controlled Vantec fans.  It runs very quiet now. I also added front binding posts.  I'll do the same mods to its new sibling.

[bitseeker]

I got the price knocked down to $350 and decided to roll the dice, since I rarely if ever see them go on evilBay for less than $800 or so, and some recently have gone for north of $1k.

I guess along with the 740B, 745A and 6920B acquired over the past year or so and still waiting in the queue, this means that I've begun my journey down the rabbit hole of voltnuttery now...   

Yeah, the various Fluke calibrators go for a lot of money on eBay. I finally decided not to go down that rabbit hole. Of course, getting a good deal can ruin such a plan. So, next on the list...a multi-function meter calibrator?

[bitseeker]

I have a Agilent 66332A in my rack that has both of those. I got it because it can sink current as well as source it so i have it as a electronic DC load. Tho not a big fan of it cause of the said fan being so loud when it runs.

The Keithley 228A that I have sources and sinks, too. It'll be handy since my GW load maxes out at 60V whereas the 228A handles up to 100V.

The 228A is in my repair queue, though, because the NiCd battery backup on the digital board leaked. Everything else seems to be fine with it. I guess I should have it jump the queue and take care of it sooner rather than later. Anyone know of a suitable replacement? The service manual just has a Keithley part number.

[tggzzz]

because the NiCd battery backup on the digital board leaked.... Anyone know of a suitable replacement? The service manual just has a Keithley part number.

You'll probably end up getting a NiMH replacement. Note that the max trickle charging current isn't C/10, but C/20 to C/40, so you may need to increase a series resistor.

[Vgkid]

I bought a milliohm meter, for about half of what they wanted. Not because I needed one, but because I wanted one. Plus I will end up building a milliohm meter, and my 3456a is really cumbersome to measure down that low accurately. Have to use 2 resistors ratiometrically, and swap polarities/leads 2 times.

[Cubdriver]

I got the price knocked down to $350 and decided to roll the dice, since I rarely if ever see them go on evilBay for less than $800 or so, and some recently have gone for north of $1k.

I guess along with the 740B, 745A and 6920B acquired over the past year or so and still waiting in the queue, this means that I've begun my journey down the rabbit hole of voltnuttery now...   

Yeah, the various Fluke calibrators go for a lot of money on eBay. I finally decided not to go down that rabbit hole. Of course, getting a good deal can ruin such a plan.

I didn't really have a plan, per se, just went looking for cool stuff.  I am afraid that this might lead me to follow the bunny down into his warren.  Yike.  As if the counters weren't bad enough.   

So, next on the list...a multi-function meter calibrator?

I'm not even going to do a search on that.   



http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=otLEa0xj&id=E10A4B3772D07E67E5D38B8898774710DACB66A2&q=nope+nope+nope+octopus+gif&simid=608047824359261208&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0

-Pat

[bitseeker]

because the NiCd battery backup on the digital board leaked.... Anyone know of a suitable replacement? The service manual just has a Keithley part number.

You'll probably end up getting a NiMH replacement. Note that the max trickle charging current isn't C/10, but C/20 to C/40, so you may need to increase a series resistor.

I suspected going NiMH. Thanks for the insight on the charging current. At least it's lower than C/10. Higher would be bad for NiMH. I'll adjust accordingly.

[Cubdriver]

The Keithley 228A that I have sources and sinks, too. It'll be handy since my GW load maxes out at 60V whereas the 228A handles up to 100V.

The 228A is in my repair queue, though, because the NiCd battery backup on the digital board leaked. Everything else seems to be fine with it. I guess I should have it jump the queue and take care of it sooner rather than later. Anyone know of a suitable replacement? The service manual just has a Keithley part number.

If nothing else, on the remote chance that you haven't already done so, I'd pull the board, remove the battery and try to neutralize any residue to stop further corrosion.

-Pat

[bitseeker]

So, next on the list...a multi-function meter calibrator?

I'm not even going to do a search on that.   

Riiight!

[bitseeker]

Well, I had a little accident. My itchy trading finger landed on a Fluke 8100A Nixie tube multimeter. Oopsie!

[Cubdriver]

Well, I had a little accident. My itchy trading finger landed on a Fluke 8100A Nixie tube multimeter. Oopsie!

You should get some calamine lotion for that finger...   

Your wallet will thank you.

-Pat

[bitseeker]

Good idea. Thanks, Pat!

[xrunner]

Well, I had a little accident. My itchy trading finger landed on a Fluke 8100A Nixie tube multimeter. Oopsie!

[mmagin]

I knew that HP 59304A would come in handy.  The 3457A is nice, but located inconveniently high up to look at while probing things.  Put it in talk-only mode (address 31), connect them up, and done.  Much nicer than LCD too!

[bitseeker]

Well, I had a little accident. My itchy trading finger landed on a Fluke 8100A Nixie tube multimeter. Oopsie!

 

[bitseeker]

I knew that HP 59304A would come in handy.  The 3457A is nice, but located inconveniently high up to look at while probing things.  Put it in talk-only mode (address 31), connect them up, and done.  Much nicer than LCD too!

Do you also get the extra digit displayed that way since it's over GPIB?

[xrunner]

I knew that HP 59304A would come in handy.  The 3457A is nice, but located inconveniently high up to look at while probing things.  Put it in talk-only mode (address 31), connect them up, and done.  Much nicer than LCD too!

Way cool setup - way cool! 

[mmagin]

I knew that HP 59304A would come in handy.  The 3457A is nice, but located inconveniently high up to look at while probing things.  Put it in talk-only mode (address 31), connect them up, and done.  Much nicer than LCD too!

Do you also get the extra digit displayed that way since it's over GPIB?

Not as far as I can tell, you'd have to query math hires register manually still, which doesn't happen in this simple talk-only/listen-only setup.

[bitseeker]

Ah, OK. The remote display looks quite nice. Before clicking the thumbnail, I thought it was a GPIB clock (forgot the model designation).

[Cubdriver]

So, next on the list...a multi-function meter calibrator?

I'm not even going to do a search on that.   

Riiight!

I'm not looking!!!   

-Pat

[Berni]

I have a Agilent 66332A in my rack that has both of those. I got it because it can sink current as well as source it so i have it as a electronic DC load. Tho not a big fan of it cause of the said fan being so loud when it runs.

I replaced the fan on my 6632a with one of these temp controlled Vantec fans.  It runs very quiet now. I also added front binding posts.  I'll do the same mods to its new sibling.

I did get the idea of replacing the fan, but after testing it some i found that the heatsink runs very warm even with no load on the output. The fan also didn't show any bearing noise so a replacement fan that moves the same amount of air would likely also be loud. Id need to fit a larger diameter fan or something in it but there is no room.

Maybe the output stage on mine has its bias current set too high, i never looked too deep in to it but i would assume there is likely a trimm pot somewhere for setting that. Measures well within spec on the output tho. It could be on purpose tho since this PSU can program its output at a rate of 100KS/s for reproducing transients.

[capt bullshot]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Datron-1081-opt-20-40-50-7-5-digit-/182454411220

Uhh, I've acquired a 1061A two week ago ... It's readings are some 50 ... 200ppm (depends on range and value) off my 34401 and Keithley 2015 (they agree to +/- 1 ...2 digits in highest resolution in the lower ranges).
So now I need a way to calibrate the 1061A ...

BTW I really like the panaplex display, want some more equipment with Nixies and the like ...

[VK5RC]

I have GAS attacks from time to time.
GAS = Gear Acquisition syndrome...

HP Iron arrived a few weeks ago.....
More on that in the near future.

If no pics it didn't happen! HiHi

PS my "parts unit" U 1252B arrived - one of those NOS clearance units - all good.  - but how can you fall in love with an LCD!! not like Nixie, LED  (or OLED - ducks for cover)

Re THz test equipment - that is a WHOLE NEW AREA OF HURT!  Nixies (far more warm and inviting) = cookies and milk - terrrahurtz (spelled correctly!!!)= 'speed'!

Got a bit distracted with some volt-nuttery - 'cooking slowly' some LTZ1000s - must get back to fixing my old HP 521C counter.

PS For a laugh Just registered my 521C with "My Keysight" ;  Dave and Bill would be furious as the system doesn't even recognise it!

[bitseeker]

Register a 521C? That's a good one!