Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Berni]

I’ve had good luck using these fans. I see the price has more than doubled though (I last paid $8 for one in 2014). They are very quiet -even when the RPMs ramp up under load.. Admitedly, I don’t highly stress my PSUs with prolonged high power output or prolonged current sinking. And ambient temps in my lab remain cool.

IIRC, the heat sinks in those supplies looked pretty hefty to me, though I suppose it’s all relative. I suspect those HP PSUs are built to withstand very prolonged max loads in an industrial environment, so my feeling has been that there’s plenty of temperature management headroom in the design and little danger that my hobby use will cause problems even if my quiet fan solution does keep things as consistently cool as the OEM fan. I hate loud fans!  So far so good....

Ah nice fans with temperature control built in.

Well compared to for example the HP 6629A then the heat sink is small. That thing has huge heatsinks on each channel and then a 120mm fan moving air trough it. Swapped the fan out with a nice quiet PC fan in that one and now you can barely hear it. I tested it with the outputs shorted and got the heatsink inside just pleasantly warm.

Tho it is possible that my HP 66332A gets so warm because the bias current in its push pull output stage was increased on these models to help it handle the fast output voltage changes.

[Brumby]

In reading through the group therapy thread, I'm not sure that there is a term that appropriately covers the challenges of storing and accessing gear.

... I say this as I'm now on day 4.. or is 5.. of trying to fit computing, electronics, 3d printing, R/C, and music all in my office at one, accessible and "tidy". ... while waiting on a keithley 2015 to arrive and complicate things again.

Some suggestions....

RAM:  Random Access Management.  The process of locating various pieces of test equipment in a manner so that they are quickly and easily accessible.  This process can be applied to both equipment storage areas as well as the active work bench.  Failure to implement a RAM protocol will result in equipment getting buried, requiring the moving of several other pieces of equipment to gain access to a specific item or, even worse, to prevent that specific item from being found.

RAMBUS:  Random Access Management - Building Useful Structures.  An inevitable sub-activity of implementing a RAM policy.  Applicable to both equipment storage and active work bench areas, this activity can include any number of sources for materials, including, but not limited to, Ikea, Craigslist, eBay, yard/garage/boot sales and hardware stores.  Typically overengineered, the resultant structures are designed to safely support equipment for at least 150 years.  These structures - especially ones on any workbench - are designed according to the RAMDAC requirements.

RAMDAC:  Random Access Management - Distribution, Access and Comfort.  The process of designing the layout of a workbench to accommodate all the equipment desired and to have it placed in a functional manner where everything can be comfortably accessed.  This process can become somewhat of a challenge in ordinary circumstances, but even more so if other factors - such as DPI, EMI or TEST - are involved.

DRAM:  Dynamic RAM.  A Random Access Management plan that is under constant change due to a consistently evolving inventory.  This has a significant influence on the style of RAMBUS solutions implemented, where options such as adjustable shelving and rack mount feature strongly.

SRAM:  Static RAM.  A Random Access Management plan that changes infrequently, if at all.  This can be the result of a lazy attitude or the unfortunate situation where the equipment at hand remains unchanged.

TETRIS:  Test Equipment Torment - Reorganization In Situ.  The equivalent of changing spark plugs while driving down the highway, this is the high stress process of rearranging equipment - but being limited to doing so in the existing space.  Any attempt to 'borrow' space in another area of the premises is met with threats of items found outside the boundaries of toleration will be immediately disposed of.  Protests are met with references to some storage area that was temporarily borrowed 3 years ago - that you still occupy.

BOT:  Boundaries Of Toleration.  The limits of acceptability for the physical and/or financial impact of one's hobby - as defined by other members of the household.

[Mr. Scram]

That's funny. I've been organising my workspace and supplies following the RAM principle for years and actually calling it that too. As soon as you need to start shifting things to get to other things, it quickly gets out of hand. You need to make sure you have quick access to the whole inventory.

I'm not necessarily a believer in first order retrieval, as that's more like having a huge cache. Having too much in the cache has a tipping point where it starts hurting performance and cluttering the workspace in itself. It's okay to retrieve things from RAM, then keeping that subset in the cache and thus on the workbench for fast access. When done, stow things back in the RAM.

[bd139]

I've got so little RAM that I'm swapping all the time 

[Mr. Scram]

I've got so little RAM that I'm swapping all the time 

It's surprising how far you can take the analogy before it breaks.

[Brumby]

I thought I was cute - but you guys are making it something much more entertaining...!

I've got so little RAM that I'm swapping all the time 

It's surprising how far you can take the analogy before it breaks.

Keep going....  You are cracking me up ....

[jasonbrent]

I thought I was cute - but you guys are making it something much more entertaining...!

I've got so little RAM that I'm swapping all the time 

It's surprising how far you can take the analogy before it breaks.

Keep going....  You are cracking me up ....

Haha... these are awesome and completely apropos.

One side effect of underorganized RAM is the ability to hide new acquisitions in plain sight for months before use, so the question of "is that new?" Can be answered with "no, it's been there."

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Berni]

Getting a 42U server rack with caster wheels under it is great for RAM

Makes it easy to move a quarter ton worth of boatanchors around when you need to get at the back of them or just want it a bit closer to your work.

You don't want to use DRAM when your spectrum analyzer weighs 50kg.

[Specmaster]

I thought I was cute - but you guys are making it something much more entertaining...!

I've got so little RAM that I'm swapping all the time 

It's surprising how far you can take the analogy before it breaks.

Keep going....  You are cracking me up ....

Haha... these are awesome and completely apropos.

One side effect of underorganized RAM is the ability to hide new acquisitions in plain sight for months before use, so the question of "is that new?" Can be answered with "no, it's been there."

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

How very true and is indeed something I've deployed a few times so far to great effect 

[Mr. Scram]

The postal services tend to be hard driving. When they get their hands on something, it unfortunately often requires defragmenting.

[Blake]

I've got the Quicko T12 OLED Kit on it's way and now I'm wondering about the DIY Hot Air Stations.  Has anyone tried them?  Another option would be to get another OLED and use a circuit like this to power it.  I could run it off the same power supply and just have a switch between the two.

[rrinker]

 I need to do some TETRIS soon - I noticed my one shelf is sagging a bit. Need to put the heavier stuff closer to the supports and lighter stuff more int he middle. And to think, I don't even have any of the REAL heavy stuff. Oh yeah, need to make room to slip more in, not exactly test equipment but some tools and test lead kits.

[bitseeker]

These new additions are great, Brumby! I've put them in the glossary.

I used to play a lot of Tetris back in the day. Who knew TETRIS would be back, now.

("TEAnniversary" has also been added to the glossary.)

[GreyWoolfe]

Despite my best efforts the list of equipment is growing.  I found at our local surplus store, an HP 5314A counter with button caps missing that I snagged for $20, to get the button caps to replace the broken ones on my HP 3312A.  Naturally, I hooked it up to a function generator and, of course, it works.  Now I need another broken piece of gear to replace the button caps on 2 pieces of equipment.    Obviously, despite my best efforts, it seems there is no hope for me.  On the plus side, another piece of gear with red LEDs to go with my 2 HP 3346A meters.   I love red LEDs. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, red.

[bitseeker]

Yeah, that 5314A looks great. If you've got to be stuck with extras of something, at least it's nice HP gear.

With regard to your best efforts, just give in. The rest of us have come to terms with our TEA. You'll feel better if you just enjoy it.

[neo]

Well the united states postal service has really screwed the pooch this time. They somehow completely lost track of my 3312A, a massive box in comparison to the normal fare. Not only that but after a two hour hold yesterday all i got was a case number and told that they will "look into it". 

[Specmaster]

Well the united states postal service has really screwed the pooch this time. They somehow completely lost track of my 3312A, a massive box in comparison to the normal fare. Not only that but after a two hour hold yesterday all i got was a case number and told that they will "look into it". 

Haha, they've found the massive box and looking into it for the 3312A? 
 
Seriously though, don't it just make your blood boil when they can't locate something that they are supposed to be tracking all the way through their system? Perhaps next time the sender should send it as postage paid on delivery, I bet it wouldn't get lost then. no way on earth.

[neo]

Well the united states postal service has really screwed the pooch this time. They somehow completely lost track of my 3312A, a massive box in comparison to the normal fare. Not only that but after a two hour hold yesterday all i got was a case number and told that they will "look into it". 

Haha, they've found the massive box and looking into it for the 3312A? 
 
Seriously though, don't it just make your blood boil when they can't locate something that they are supposed to be tracking all the way through their system? Perhaps next time the sender should send it as postage paid on delivery, I bet it wouldn't get lost then. no way on earth.

That's a good idea, the problem with this case is that it is priority mail and the tracking number just stopped updating.

[HalFET]

Well the united states postal service has really screwed the pooch this time. They somehow completely lost track of my 3312A, a massive box in comparison to the normal fare. Not only that but after a two hour hold yesterday all i got was a case number and told that they will "look into it". 

Haha, they've found the massive box and looking into it for the 3312A? 
 
Seriously though, don't it just make your blood boil when they can't locate something that they are supposed to be tracking all the way through their system? Perhaps next time the sender should send it as postage paid on delivery, I bet it wouldn't get lost then. no way on earth.

TNT managed to lose a Solartron of mine that way, they kept sorting it for multiple days and suddenly found it and returned it to sender, it never arrived at the sender... Since it was sent through eBay global shipping Pitney & Bowes ended up paying for that one luckily

[GreyWoolfe]

Yeah, that 5314A looks great. If you've got to be stuck with extras of something, at least it's nice HP gear.

With regard to your best efforts, just give in. The rest of us have come to terms with our TEA. You'll feel better if you just enjoy it.

I know.  I'm just lying to myself, apparently.

[Specmaster]

Well the united states postal service has really screwed the pooch this time. They somehow completely lost track of my 3312A, a massive box in comparison to the normal fare. Not only that but after a two hour hold yesterday all i got was a case number and told that they will "look into it". 

Haha, they've found the massive box and looking into it for the 3312A? 
 
Seriously though, don't it just make your blood boil when they can't locate something that they are supposed to be tracking all the way through their system? Perhaps next time the sender should send it as postage paid on delivery, I bet it wouldn't get lost then. no way on earth.

TNT managed to lose a Solartron of mine that way, they kept sorting it for multiple days and suddenly found it and returned it to sender, it never arrived at the sender... Since it was sent through eBay global shipping Pitney & Bowes ended up paying for that one luckily

Well I've been working on a 30" monitor for my bench so that I can display schematics in a large format while working on the equipment. It needed a new T-Conn board and I tracked down one via AliEx and ordered it at the beginning of the month and after days of trying to get it dispatched from China, it appeared on their tracking site as "Waiting for Pickup" a week in that mode, then it went to "Dispatched" for 2 weeks. Today I checked the status thinking it must surely have reached the UK by now, and I was greeted with this :- 

[bd139]

Dicks! Can you shitpost some bad feedback?

[beanflying]

I had an AliExpress order 'claimed' to have been sent twice after 2 months I contacted them to be offered a 'gift' and to 'resend' all I wanted was a refund at this stage and they still sooked about it. None of the tracking numbers seem to have been genuine on the $12USD order. 

Watching my 740B slowly drive away from me on a US road trip for a week isn't much fun either  Hope the pace and direction improves........

Processing at Global Shipping Center
Jan-25-2018, 09:44 PST, Erlanger, Kentucky 41025-2501
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-24-2018, 11:09 PST, INDEPENDENCE, KY 41051
In Transit - In transit
Jan-23-2018, 23:18 PST, ALPHA, IL 61413
In Transit - In transit
Jan-23-2018, 11:17 PST, SUTHERLAND, NE 69165
In Transit - Departed FedEx location
Jan-22-2018, 22:58 PST, NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 22:51 PST, NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
In Transit - Left FedEx origin facility
Jan-19-2018, 20:18 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 14:51 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - Picked up
Jan-19-2018, 12:03 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - In FedEx possession - Tendered at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 10:50 PST, SPANISH FORK, UT 84660

[Specmaster]

Dicks! Can you shitpost some bad feedback?

Too bloody right I will, as you know I have the dammed thing on my bench preventing me from getting with much else, because I was under the impression that it was on its way. I've messaged them to find out what the hell is going on. Looks like I might be back at the drawing board on this one now.

Trouble is it's in mint condition overall and it seems a shame to have to junk it.

[Specmaster]

I had an AliExpress order 'claimed' to have been sent twice after 2 months I contacted them to be offered a 'gift' and to 'resend' all I wanted was a refund at this stage and they still sooked about it. None of the tracking numbers seem to have been genuine on the $12USD order. 

Watching my 740B slowly drive away from me on a US road trip for a week isn't much fun either  Hope the pace and direction improves........

Processing at Global Shipping Center
Jan-25-2018, 09:44 PST, Erlanger, Kentucky 41025-2501
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-24-2018, 11:09 PST, INDEPENDENCE, KY 41051
In Transit - In transit
Jan-23-2018, 23:18 PST, ALPHA, IL 61413
In Transit - In transit
Jan-23-2018, 11:17 PST, SUTHERLAND, NE 69165
In Transit - Departed FedEx location
Jan-22-2018, 22:58 PST, NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 22:51 PST, NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
In Transit - Left FedEx origin facility
Jan-19-2018, 20:18 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 14:51 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - Picked up
Jan-19-2018, 12:03 PST, VINEYARD, UT 84058
In Transit - In FedEx possession - Tendered at FedEx location
Jan-19-2018, 10:50 PST, SPANISH FORK, UT 84660

Yeah, problem is of course that AliExpress is like a Chinese Amazon and they are sales window for many other sellers but not all Chinese sellers are equals, some head and shoulders above most in their dealings with customers and then there's the ones that are a bit dodgy and this seller is one of them in my opinion. I have been lied to all along the whole process by them it seems so now I have to source another replacement board if possible and fight for a refund from this devious seller.

With regard to your awaited parcel, if its any consolation, I had a Fluke 8505A shipped from the states to me in the UK and I too watched it crawl its way from the west coast to Erlanger, Kentucky where it was processed by the Global Shipping Center and then onto the air carrier where it sat according to the tracking data. then it was in the air for 2 days, landed in UK and then a further 5 days to me, so you may not to have to wait much longer.