Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mnementh]

Whoever unplugged that without looking got a "sizzling" experience....   

Well, no... that's why you do the bodge in the LAMP... so you can leave the lamp unplugged until you've finished making "Terror Object Number 17". And if you have ANY sense, you make sure you plug it in from a safe distance.

mnem
But I have NO direct knowledge of this sort of MacGyver-fyin' whatsoever... nope, not me. 

[mnementh]

Does it have tin foil?   Yes it does!   A Redneck Repair - "Here - hold my beer and watch this ..." 

No, no, no... you got that wrong... That's the Texas School of Driving: "Here, hold muh beer & watch THIS!!!"

mnem
https://youtu.be/pY7nx5Z6Kzo

[beanflying]

You want to see real Mechanics at work watch a few Episodes of this Mob at work and play.

This Episode the might of the Hatchet as a repair tool

https://youtu.be/IIcmsjT73Yk

[mnementh]

mnem

[0culus]

Does it have tin foil?   Yes it does!   A Redneck Repair - "Here - hold my beer and watch this ..." 

No, no, no... you got that wrong... That's the Texas School of Driving: "Here, hold muh beer & watch THIS!!!"

mnem
https://youtu.be/pY7nx5Z6Kzo

Red Green is some of the funniest shit ever.   

[worsthorse]

What's better than owning an HP45? Owning two HP45s, of course...



I forgot about the bid I placed on what appeared to be a wrecked HP45 on ebay, when I was thinking I might need bits to fix the first HP45. When I got number one working I promptly forgot about potential number two. Then, beep! you've got mail! and twenty bucks later I own another HP45 and charger.

The calculator is well-used but not in bad shape, other than the battery door. I fixed the power connectors in the calculator, popped the battery pack from the first HP45 and she lit right up. New NiMH batteries on order to rebuild the original battery pack properly (I won't describe what I found but I'm glad the charger didn't work or the damn thing probably would have caught fire) and it will be good to go. 

The seller said it didn't work and the photos made it clear that someone had wreaked havoc on the charger, so I wasn't terribly surprised to find that both the 5 and 15 VDC outputs were dead, as the cable was damaged in two places (and repaired with scotch tape) and the calculator end plug had been gouged out in the back, exposing the connector pins, and refilled with RTV compound.   

So I took it apart (btw, can you imagine... a charger you can take apart and fix?) and found the reason it didn't work. Someone else had opened it and lost one of the copper leafs in the switch, so only half the AC line was connected. Since I am not going to use the charger on 240V, I removed the remaining leaf, bridged the correct connections, and fixed the switch in the 115VAC position.

While I was at it, I replaced the dodgy looking 450mfd electrolytic, checked the rest of the circuit components, cut out the bad section of the cable, and put on a new strain relief. 5VDC and 15VDC on the connector again. I removed the glob of RTV compound and two tie wraps, which I guess were supposed to hold the connector together, built a new strain relief with shrink wrap, and declared victory.

I also gathered up the pieces of the 466, put them in a box, and set it aside until the extraction set shows up. Tomorrow I think I will get back to fixing TM500 plugins.

[0culus]

Nice!! Always down for more RPN porn.   

[beanflying]

Nice!! Always down for more RPN porn.   

One mans Porn is another's Perverted Sicko Porn

[0culus]

Yeah, algebraic calculators are perverted sicko porn. 

[tggzzz]

Very nice. I wouldn't even know where to look for them ...

One in France if the seller will take an offer eBay auction: #352652284969

Thanks. A bit expensive with shipping (which also seems dangerous to them, according to Kosmic), and no payment option that fits.

I will specifically search for them from now on, every once in a while.

Some of them are fine with being upturned it is the older more open ones are not. There is an internal seal inside some of them to prevent transfer from side to side. In 'more recent' (60-70's) the cells were fitted to portable test gear as a voltage reference so this was a must. The smaller Cambridge one I am sure is one of these types and so are my two existing Muirheads. The older open/crusty one is likely not but see what arrives.

Unsaturated cells are more robust than the saturated cells shown, and were used in portable equipment. Unsaturated cells also had a much shorter lifetime, which will have been exceeded long ago.

The are only coming from 300km away by post so no air will be involved. 

Wanna bet? Have you seen the bizarre track that parcels take?

Most couriers explicitly exclude liquid mercury, amongst other things. If they are saturated, they will contain liquid mercury.

[BravoV]

Feel like in the medieval period. 



... as I just scored this little red sharp pointy thingy, a Fluke 80K-40 HV probe. 

[beanflying]

Very nice. I wouldn't even know where to look for them ...

One in France if the seller will take an offer eBay auction: #352652284969

Thanks. A bit expensive with shipping (which also seems dangerous to them, according to Kosmic), and no payment option that fits.

I will specifically search for them from now on, every once in a while.

Some of them are fine with being upturned it is the older more open ones are not. There is an internal seal inside some of them to prevent transfer from side to side. In 'more recent' (60-70's) the cells were fitted to portable test gear as a voltage reference so this was a must. The smaller Cambridge one I am sure is one of these types and so are my two existing Muirheads. The older open/crusty one is likely not but see what arrives.

Unsaturated cells are more robust than the saturated cells shown, and were used in portable equipment. Unsaturated cells also had a much shorter lifetime, which will have been exceeded long ago.

The are only coming from 300km away by post so no air will be involved. 

Wanna bet? Have you seen the bizarre track that parcels take?

Most couriers explicitly exclude liquid mercury, amongst other things. If they are saturated, they will contain liquid mercury.

Seriously what a load of garbage when it comes to the life of Weston Cells either Saturated or Un-saturated. Some are still kicking well into their 4th and 5th decades plus some more in a lot of cases. My current two are getting on to 60 years old. Clearly some will have died along the way but a definitive " which will have been exceeded long ago" is  and a quick check in the Metrology section here let alone online will show that.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/1000-my-(hi)story-of-the-weston-cell-of-the-volt-and-of-being-a-volt-nuts/

Clearly from 1/2 way around the planet you know more about our local postal service than I do and the Carrier Pigeons they use.

[PrecisionAnalytic]

My latest technical writing fix:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hpagilent-1675x-logic-analyzer-card-memory-up-hack/msg2388675/#msg2388675

New Tekwiki made:
http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/EDX-1_Electromyograph_Storage

Updates:
http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Pacific_Measurements_1038

[med6753]

Feel like in the medieval period. 



... as I just scored this little red sharp pointy thingy, a Fluke 80K-40 HV probe. 

Care to joust?  Just remember, those probes are meant to be used with DMM's with 10MEG input impedance. If your DMM defaults to a higher input impedance on the lower ranges you'll get inaccurate readings.

[PrecisionAnalytic]

Just ordered my first 0805 Resistor and Capacitor SMD kit and the Decimal (0-9) Pushwheel Switch Encoders KSA-2.

I'm going to make this since seems smaller than my scope creep turning into way more complex of a do-it all decade box plan (especially as I keep wanting to work into higher and higher frequencies):
https://www.instructables.com/id/SMD-Decade-Resistance-Box/

Strange the effects on the jump from Terahertz, IR, NIR, UV-Vis, X-Ray, Gamma Ray and now down to DC on up or Microwaves (more like UHF'ish) on Down. 

Plus I picked up the 0805's to work on a few other projects that I've been waiting to buy some SMD components to see how they perform on higher frequencies with.  I almost went for the 0603... though am thinking that jump is going to include the goals of PCB fabrication, making a reflow oven and flowing a board or boards.

Scope creep-a-thon happening. 

[med6753]

Another local hamfest today. I wonder what will follow me home? 

[bd139]

Yeah, algebraic calculators are perverted sicko porn. 

Yep.

Was thinking the other day and came to the conclusion that yoda speaks in RPN.

Another local hamfest today. I wonder what will follow me home? 

Good luck! May the silent keys roll in their grave at the prices you pay 

[BravoV]

Care to joust? 

Nope, just don't want to fight an old gray beard that with an attitude, no glory at all if I win, as I beaten an old man, but if I loose, even worst, beaten by an old man. 

Just remember, those probes are meant to be used with DMM's with 10MEG input impedance. If your DMM defaults to a higher input impedance on the lower ranges you'll get inaccurate readings.

Thanks for reminder, yep, all my Fluke DMMs have 10M input impedance.

[tggzzz]

Very nice. I wouldn't even know where to look for them ...

One in France if the seller will take an offer eBay auction: #352652284969

Thanks. A bit expensive with shipping (which also seems dangerous to them, according to Kosmic), and no payment option that fits.

I will specifically search for them from now on, every once in a while.

Some of them are fine with being upturned it is the older more open ones are not. There is an internal seal inside some of them to prevent transfer from side to side. In 'more recent' (60-70's) the cells were fitted to portable test gear as a voltage reference so this was a must. The smaller Cambridge one I am sure is one of these types and so are my two existing Muirheads. The older open/crusty one is likely not but see what arrives.

Unsaturated cells are more robust than the saturated cells shown, and were used in portable equipment. Unsaturated cells also had a much shorter lifetime, which will have been exceeded long ago.

The are only coming from 300km away by post so no air will be involved. 

Wanna bet? Have you seen the bizarre track that parcels take?

Most couriers explicitly exclude liquid mercury, amongst other things. If they are saturated, they will contain liquid mercury.

Seriously what a load of garbage when it comes to the life of Weston Cells either Saturated or Un-saturated. Some are still kicking well into their 4th and 5th decades plus some more in a lot of cases. My current two are getting on to 60 years old. Clearly some will have died along the way but a definitive " which will have been exceeded long ago" is  and a quick check in the Metrology section here let alone online will show that.

Strawman argument; alternatively please indicate where I wrote that. As most people in this forum will be well aware, "exceeding the lifetime" != "dead".

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/1000-my-(hi)story-of-the-weston-cell-of-the-volt-and-of-being-a-volt-nuts/

Perhaps the US NBS is a more definitive source than a bulletin board? Have a look at "The construction and characteristics of standard cells" http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/techreports/PDF/NBS84.pdf especially section 8.

Clearly from 1/2 way around the planet you know more about our local postal service than I do and the Carrier Pigeons they use.

Well, you are only one person on this board, in one country, and you haven't specified the carrier. However, looking at https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/dangerous-and-prohibited-goods-guide.pdf has many references to mercury being banned, including in instruments.

[tggzzz]

Yeah, algebraic calculators are perverted sicko porn. 

Yep.

Was thinking the other day and came to the conclusion that yoda speaks in RPN.

So do Germans. Hence the classic cry of anguish from a (human) simultaneous translator of a rambling speech, "Professor, the verb please!". They couldn't get far with translating without the speaker finishing their sentence.

[beanflying]

Very nice. I wouldn't even know where to look for them ...

One in France if the seller will take an offer eBay auction: #352652284969

Thanks. A bit expensive with shipping (which also seems dangerous to them, according to Kosmic), and no payment option that fits.

I will specifically search for them from now on, every once in a while.

Some of them are fine with being upturned it is the older more open ones are not. There is an internal seal inside some of them to prevent transfer from side to side. In 'more recent' (60-70's) the cells were fitted to portable test gear as a voltage reference so this was a must. The smaller Cambridge one I am sure is one of these types and so are my two existing Muirheads. The older open/crusty one is likely not but see what arrives.

Unsaturated cells are more robust than the saturated cells shown, and were used in portable equipment. Unsaturated cells also had a much shorter lifetime, which will have been exceeded long ago.

The are only coming from 300km away by post so no air will be involved. 

Wanna bet? Have you seen the bizarre track that parcels take?

Most couriers explicitly exclude liquid mercury, amongst other things. If they are saturated, they will contain liquid mercury.

Seriously what a load of garbage when it comes to the life of Weston Cells either Saturated or Un-saturated. Some are still kicking well into their 4th and 5th decades plus some more in a lot of cases. My current two are getting on to 60 years old. Clearly some will have died along the way but a definitive " which will have been exceeded long ago" is  and a quick check in the Metrology section here let alone online will show that.

Strawman argument; alternatively please indicate where I wrote that. As most people in this forum will be well aware, "exceeding the lifetime" != "dead".

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/1000-my-(hi)story-of-the-weston-cell-of-the-volt-and-of-being-a-volt-nuts/

Perhaps the US NBS is a more definitive source than a bulletin board? Have a look at "The construction and characteristics of standard cells" http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/techreports/PDF/NBS84.pdf especially section 8.

Clearly from 1/2 way around the planet you know more about our local postal service than I do and the Carrier Pigeons they use.

Well, you are only one person on this board, in one country, and you haven't specified the carrier. However, looking at https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/dangerous-and-prohibited-goods-guide.pdf has many references to mercury being banned, including in instruments.

Instead of trying to turn this to me to provide PROOF of YOUR POINT you call my statement a Strawman. Get of your perch and stop trying to provoke the response you deserve and if are attempting to troll me across the site then keep it up. Eventually you will get what you appear to be wanting 

I already have a copy of that link from 1965 which I downloaded from the NIST site when I got my first ones. "Some of the Cells used by the NBS .... for nearly 60 years" There is no definitive statement as to lifetime but a 'general, probability and likely' 'usability' for cells of that time. Still NO definitive statement of lifetime. And yet you made the claim of 'exceeded lifetime' clearly you have superior knowledge 

As to shipping Mercury is small lots yep it is a nono as are a bunch of stuff that gets sent all the time from Lithium Batteries to Solvents and worse. It will absolutely positively not get in the air, first stop Clayton then Geelong then Warrnambool then me. Even if sent overnight satchel from Sydney it would be more than likely be 2 days and go by road.

[med6753]

Another local hamfest today. I wonder what will follow me home? 

Good luck! May the silent keys roll in their grave at the prices you pay 

I wonder if this one will resemble a hobo convention like last week. 

[med6753]

Care to joust? 

Nope, just don't want to fight an old gray beard that with an attitude, no glory at all if I win, as I beaten an old man, but if I loose, even worst, beaten by an old man. 

Wise move my son. How do you THINK I got to be an old gray beard with an attitude? 

[bd139]

Another local hamfest today. I wonder what will follow me home? 

Good luck! May the silent keys roll in their grave at the prices you pay 

I wonder if this one will resemble a hobo convention like last week. 

Yeah there are certainly a lot of hobo types at these things, here as well. I’ve seen some shockers. Kempton was worst. We had a chain smoker who clearly hadn’t washed his clothes for about two years in front of me in the queue.

[VK5RC]

Nothing like a cavity to make a pure sine wave - even if those waves are coming from 1955.

Put the glass back in place on the modulation meter, a bit of Meguires Plastix on the knobs, polished the bncs and a test run.
Photos below.

Not sure what I should do about the power socket, try and bodge a USA power cable or 'heresy' change it to a IEC? What do you guys think?
Rob