Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[INFINIUM]

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[med6753]

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   

[Specmaster]

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Whats with the morse code?  ISOK

[bd139]

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   

Looking good.  Definitely plenty of space for more stuff 

[mnementh]

Does anyone know where one might obtain HP seven segment displays for the older voltmeters? Turns out the character on my 3455A that handles the most significant digit is dead, and I hadn't noticed it simply because I hadn't needed to measure anything above 10V. The part number according to the service manual is 1990-0540.

Figure this will make an even better excuse to open the front panel and fix the sticky keys! 

http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/hp-parts/hpparts5.html
13 in stock @ $8 ea

   Did you see this little gem also on the same page?

I know $45 for a 6 digit 0.4-0.5" display is crazy. but part of me STILL wants to buy it just so I HAVE to build something out of it. 

Does anyone know where one might obtain HP seven segment displays for the older voltmeters? Turns out the character on my 3455A that handles the most significant digit is dead, and I hadn't noticed it simply because I hadn't needed to measure anything above 10V. The part number according to the service manual is 1990-0540.

Figure this will make an even better excuse to open the front panel and fix the sticky keys! 

these should work.  pm an address and i'll stick a couple in an envelope.  (they came out of a long gone 5345a counter)

I looked, and the ones I have are HDSP-3400. I've attached the datasheet; if they'll work, drop me a PM and I'll put a couple in the mail.

..  ...  ---  -.-

Yes... Yes it is. 

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   

Looking good.  Definitely plenty of space for more stuff 

Enough room for med to be REALLY dangerous!     I think we all need to pitch in and get him some digit prophylactics... 

mnem

[0culus]

Does anyone know where one might obtain HP seven segment displays for the older voltmeters? Turns out the character on my 3455A that handles the most significant digit is dead, and I hadn't noticed it simply because I hadn't needed to measure anything above 10V. The part number according to the service manual is 1990-0540.

Figure this will make an even better excuse to open the front panel and fix the sticky keys! 

these should work.

pm an address and i'll stick a couple in an envelope.  (they came out of a long gone 5345a counter)

PM sent!

[GregDunn]

It's really great to see fellow members rifle through their spares bins looking for parts to help other members out of a hole, long may this spirit of comradeship continue, this just has to be very best electronics forum in the world 

Seconded.  I've been asked not to publicly name them, but I've been the recipient of some very kind assistance in getting parts via the forums.

[Wolfgang]

Does anyone know where one might obtain HP seven segment displays for the older voltmeters? Turns out the character on my 3455A that handles the most significant digit is dead, and I hadn't noticed it simply because I hadn't needed to measure anything above 10V. The part number according to the service manual is 1990-0540.

Figure this will make an even better excuse to open the front panel and fix the sticky keys! 

http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/hp-parts/hpparts5.html
13 in stock @ $8 ea

Hi,

who cares about the LEDs, but the octopus is great. Where did you get this one ? 
   Did you see this little gem also on the same page?

I know $45 for a 6 digit 0.4-0.5" display is crazy. but part of me STILL wants to buy it just so I HAVE to build something out of it. 

Does anyone know where one might obtain HP seven segment displays for the older voltmeters? Turns out the character on my 3455A that handles the most significant digit is dead, and I hadn't noticed it simply because I hadn't needed to measure anything above 10V. The part number according to the service manual is 1990-0540.

Figure this will make an even better excuse to open the front panel and fix the sticky keys! 

these should work.  pm an address and i'll stick a couple in an envelope.  (they came out of a long gone 5345a counter)

I looked, and the ones I have are HDSP-3400. I've attached the datasheet; if they'll work, drop me a PM and I'll put a couple in the mail.

..  ...  ---  -.-

Yes... Yes it is. 

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   

Looking good.  Definitely plenty of space for more stuff 

Enough room for med to be REALLY dangerous!     I think we all need to pitch in and get him some digit prophylactics... 

mnem

Hi,

who cares about the LEDs, but the octopus is great. Where did you get this one ? 

[Specmaster]

It's really great to see fellow members rifle through their spares bins looking for parts to help other members out of a hole, long may this spirit of comradeship continue, this just has to be very best electronics forum in the world 

Seconded.  I've been asked not to publicly name them, but I've been the recipient of some very kind assistance in getting parts via the forums.

Ditto, I have both been the recipient and the donor but identities not revealed of the other parties as requested. It is good to see the spirit of cooperation living on[emoji106]

[bd139]

Interesting device: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192742756736

I suspect the board is cracked based on the circumstances of the damage and the fact the fuses test out ok. Unfortunately it's the EX version which means the board is mostly potted into the chassis so that will never work again properly. 

[0culus]

I looked, and the ones I have are HDSP-3400. I've attached the datasheet; if they'll work, drop me a PM and I'll put a couple in the mail.

Thanks! I'm not sure if those will work, but let me check. nixiefreqq is sending me the ones he has, so we shall see if they work first. Thanks all! You guys rock! 

[xrunner]

Hey it's Friday Night TEA!

It has arrived - the hp 8904A Multifunction Synthesizer! 

Packed very, very nicely - and ... it has feet! I finally got hp kit with feet. I plan to celebrate that with a glass of wine 

It is a very clean unit inside and out. Outputs look good. It has option 002 (two outputs). I hope to hack the other options into working tomorrow via The DEFPOMs video. 

The two outputs with grounded returns are marked with a green pen. I can't really make out the symbols. May have had something to do with a specific test - who knows?

[Brumby]

Nice condition 

[Neomys Sapiens]

The two outputs with grounded returns are marked with a green pen. I can't really make out the symbols. May have had something to do with a specific test - who knows?

Looks like arrows like 'connect here'.

[med6753]

Nice unit and beautiful condition.  But all that function and only 600KHz? I would have expected much higher bandwidth capability or am I missing something concerning it's intended use?   

[med6753]

Enough room for med to be REALLY dangerous!     I think we all need to pitch in and get him some digit prophylactics... 

mnem

That will come in quite handy to give to certain individuals on the day I retire. 

[beanflying]

That will come in quite handy to give to certain individuals on the day I retire. 

I am thinking of 'special' Kris Kringle presents with maybe a flashing LED fitted inside. Mmmm 3D printer sitting spare at present.......

Already available  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2986959

https://youtu.be/qaktn2QLpFc

[tautech]

That will come in quite handy to give to certain individuals on the day I retire. 

I am thinking of 'special' Kris Kringle presents with maybe a flashing LED fitted inside. Mmmm 3D printer sitting spare at present.......

Already available 

https://youtu.be/qaktn2QLpFc

Do it !

New lab door greeting. 

[xrunner]

Nice unit and beautiful condition.  But all that function and only 600KHz? I would have expected much higher bandwidth capability or am I missing something concerning it's intended use?   

No you aren't missing anything. In the time period when it was developed (remember this is probably two decades ago) it fit a market niche in the lower frequency range that hp decided to sell to.

From the brochure -

"Broad sinewave
frequency coverage from 0.1 Hz to
600 kHz with 0.1 Hz resolution make
the 8904A ideal for a number of low frequency
applications.

...

All this unique capability makes the
8904A a powerful tool for demanding
applications like VOR, ILS, FM Stereo,
and communications signaling."

[Specmaster]

@xrunner, that hp 8904A certainly looks like its been well cared for, great catch but why to big for my little bench and its why to restricted in its frequency but if it suits your needs, you did well there. 

[GreyWoolfe]

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   

Are you planning to put shelves above it?  If so, depending on shelf depth, 24" might be a bit shallow.  My bench is 33" wide with 12" shelves above it and that seems just enough room.

[med6753]

OK kiddies, I've started my renovation project and I'm going to reveal my plans. That area in the first pix will now be occupied by a 2 foot (61cm) x 8 (244cm) foot bench. The 2nd pix is the rough top completed. Two 12 inch (30cm) by 8 foot (244cm) pine boards butt jointed together with glue and cleats. There is still much more work to do before it's done. Trim work then sanding. Stain and poly. Fashion the bench legs and install electrical. I hope to have it done before Christmas.

Once done this will more than double the bench space. Which means infinitely more TEA.   



Are you planning to put shelves above it?  If so, depending on shelf depth, 24" might be a bit shallow.  My bench is 33" wide with 12" shelves above it and that seems just enough room.

No, there are no plans at this point to install shelves above it. Any "overflow" will go into the special TEA closet. 

[mnementh]

(SNIP)

mnem

Hi,  who cares about the LEDs, but the octopus is great. Where did you get this one ? 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2425465

Thingiverse; where else? 

   The two outputs with grounded returns are marked with a green pen. I can't really make out the symbols. May have had something to do with a specific test - who knows?

Looks like arrows like 'connect here'.

Same here. Looks to me like it was part of a test jig of some sort, and those marks were placed there to remind the user to plug into the HIGH pair, rather than a HIGH and a LOW which, somewhat confusingly, are placed side by side in an alternating pattern.

Nice unit and beautiful condition.  But all that function and only 600KHz? I would have expected much higher bandwidth capability or am I missing something concerning it's intended use?   

I think this was the one that was described earlier as a "prehistoric AWG"... mayhaps the value is more what it achieved with the tech of the time?

Sure could be interesting as a signal source to a MOOG rack... 

Enough room for med to be REALLY dangerous!     I think we all need to pitch in and get him some digit prophylactics... 

mnem

That will come in quite handy to give to certain individuals on the day I retire. 

Look above for where to get it for yourself. 

That will come in quite handy to give to certain individuals on the day I retire. 

I am thinking of 'special' Kris Kringle presents with maybe a flashing LED fitted inside. Mmmm 3D printer sitting spare at present.......

Already available  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2986959

https://youtu.be/qaktn2QLpFc

That is both hypnotic and disgusting at the same time. 

mnem
Dammit... now I need to shop for some translucent filament... 

[xrunner]

   The two outputs with grounded returns are marked with a green pen. I can't really make out the symbols. May have had something to do with a specific test - who knows?

Looks like arrows like 'connect here'.

Same here. Looks to me like it was part of a test jig of some sort, and those marks were placed there to remind the user to plug into the HIGH pair, rather than a HIGH and a LOW which confusingly, were placed side by side.

I think this was the one that was described earlier as a "prehistoric AWG"... mayhaps the value is more what it achieved with the tech of the time?

Sure could be interesting as a signal source to a MOOG rack... 

Yes exactly mnementh it's a classic hp product so for me it's all good in the hood. 

Yea looks like someone who set up a test rig/scenario just took his/her green pen and marked the correct outputs for the technicians to take note of.  However, I don't need those marks to help me so they have been removed with 91% alcohol. 

I did check the backup battery and it reads 3.3V. Seems pretty good. I have found the same exact replacement available - should I replace it? All opinions are read and considered! 

[mnementh]

I did check the backup battery and it reads 3.3V. Seems pretty good. I have found the same exact replacement available - should I replace it? All opinions are read and considered! 

Don't go by the voltage. Go by the date code on the battery. THAT is your only real yardstick. If you're lucky, it's been replaced recently.

mnem
*More than the sum of my differential pairs*