Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Saskia]

  my bank just went belly up and will face liquidation. let's hope the so called Einlagensicherung will jump in.  Bloody hell. Why does my life ruin my day every fucking day ...

[bd139]

Random question. Decided I’m doing a full restoration on this fluke 8050A when it arrives. Factory condition or bust. Probably the latter but we’ll see.

That means I need to source some NiCd batteries. Does anyone know anyone in the UK that still stocks them?

Www.batteriesplus.co.UK. Painless transactions for some tagged sub-C NiCds.

I've used them before, a longish time ago.  Long enough ago that I can't remember if there was anything particularly good about using them, but not so long that I'd have forgotten if there was anything bad about them. So, that's a rather half-hearted recommendation for them; and it should be made clear that the half-heartedness is entirely down to caution about my half-memory not about the vendor.

Apparently I can’t add any nickel cadmium batteries to the basket on there.

So far TME is looking best bet. Will formulate an order as I need some other bits.

[SilverSolder]

my bank just went belly up and will face liquidation. let's hope the so called Einlagensicherung will jump in.  Bloody hell. Why does my life ruin my day every fucking day ...

This is why it makes sense to only open accounts with "too big to fail" banks! 

[mnementh]

Well HELL...! I guess Canadian Tire really DOES have it all... 

Unlike my local grocery, where they just gave me a look like a tree full of owls when I asked where to look. 

mnem
FORE!!!

[Saskia]

my bank just went belly up and will face liquidation. let's hope the so called Einlagensicherung will jump in.  Bloody hell. Why does my life ruin my day every fucking day ...

This is why it makes sense to only open accounts with "too big to fail" banks! 

over here there are no too big to fail banks.

[tggzzz]

Random question. Decided I’m doing a full restoration on this fluke 8050A when it arrives. Factory condition or bust. Probably the latter but we’ll see.

That means I need to source some NiCd batteries. Does anyone know anyone in the UK that still stocks them?

Www.batteriesplus.co.UK. Painless transactions for some tagged sub-C NiCds.

I've used them before, a longish time ago.  Long enough ago that I can't remember if there was anything particularly good about using them, but not so long that I'd have forgotten if there was anything bad about them. So, that's a rather half-hearted recommendation for them; and it should be made clear that the half-heartedness is entirely down to caution about my half-memory not about the vendor.

Apparently I can’t add any nickel cadmium batteries to the basket on there.

So far TME is looking best bet. Will formulate an order as I need some other bits.

That's a tiny bit irritating. I was going to flog some of the 64 tagged subC cells I bought for £14 (nominally expired 9 months ago). Now I'll keep them for my fetish, Tek 1502s.

[bd139]

my bank just went belly up and will face liquidation. let's hope the so called Einlagensicherung will jump in.  Bloody hell. Why does my life ruin my day every fucking day ...

Working for banks on and off has made me think the only place to safely keep money is in bricks and gold.

[bd139]

Random question. Decided I’m doing a full restoration on this fluke 8050A when it arrives. Factory condition or bust. Probably the latter but we’ll see.

That means I need to source some NiCd batteries. Does anyone know anyone in the UK that still stocks them?

Www.batteriesplus.co.UK. Painless transactions for some tagged sub-C NiCds.

I've used them before, a longish time ago.  Long enough ago that I can't remember if there was anything particularly good about using them, but not so long that I'd have forgotten if there was anything bad about them. So, that's a rather half-hearted recommendation for them; and it should be made clear that the half-heartedness is entirely down to caution about my half-memory not about the vendor.

Apparently I can’t add any nickel cadmium batteries to the basket on there.

So far TME is looking best bet. Will formulate an order as I need some other bits.

That's a tiny bit irritating. I was going to flog some of the 64 tagged subC cells I bought for £14 (nominally expired 9 months ago). Now I'll keep them for my fetish, Tek 1502s.

Yeah I would keep hold of them. This 8050a is going to cost a few quid to restore by the looks. If it checks out it will be worth it though. It does relative dB measurements at specific impedances which is going to be very good for my audio projects coming up.

[BU508A]

Quick update to my NGB 32 / 10.

Today I've replaced all the tantalums and electrolytic capacitors.
The main reason for the failure was this exploded tantalum C12 (shortened).
This caused a lot of havoc.
Dead parts so far:

- BD 139
- BD 140
- 3x BC 107B
- 5x LM 741
- 2x 1N823

The 1N823 I didn't have them in my stock, ordered some MIL-Spec ones from the bay.

Oh, and the original tantalums were rated with 16V. I've replaced them with 35V types, because they have to bear 15V.
No idea what R&S had in mind when designing this PSU.     

Will keep you updated.
Good night.

[TorinoFermic]

How hard is to repair the HP 34401A with this kind of error ( error 604 ) and "Bad display, Self test fail. 604 error, A/D convergence error. Front/ rear input switch missing.
Missing rear bezel and handle. eBay auction: #293578836763 ?
Because these 3 meters from the same seller goes for 148 USD, very tempting offer after reading the xdevs : https://xdevs.com/fix/hp34401a/

[Brumby]

Spot the problem.

(Attachment Link)

I started off wondering what the heck is wrong with this picture.....?

Then I saw it.     (The bruise should fade in a few days)

[xrunner]

Spot the problem.

(Attachment Link)

I started off wondering what the heck is wrong with this picture.....?

Then I saw it.     (The bruise should fade in a few days)

Is it really wrong though to heat sink a connector just to be on the safe side? 

(joking of course)

[tautech]

Spot the problem.

(Attachment Link)

I started off wondering what the heck is wrong with this picture.....?

Then I saw it.     (The bruise should fade in a few days)

This one  or this one ? 
 

[Brumby]

This one 

[BravoV]

Got a local offer for TDK Lambda Genesys Series , 600V 1.3A DC PSU with a very decent price, I don't need it, what to do .. what to do ? 

[edavid]

Good point. I agree that they should have banned the things but only for consumer shit that ends up in landfill.

The crappo charger in the 8050A is guaranteed to cook your NiCds in a few months.

Then you have created more cadmium waste that has to be dealt with.

[Brumby]

Got a local offer for TDK Lambda Genesys Series , 600V 1.3A DC PSU with a very decent price, I don't need it, what to do .. what to do ? 

It's neat, only 1RU and you just KNOW a use will materialise once you've got it. ... and for a decent price, it seems you're looking for TEA endorsement.

[BravoV]

...  it seems you're looking for TEA endorsement.

Hate you when you're so damn right. 

[0culus]

My damn post office managed to deliver another package to someone else.       


This time it was the package of OEM Tek trimmer caps I ordered for the 585A. The seller has more, here's hoping they will send more if the post office can't find the first package. The PO claimed they are looking for it based on the GPS tag of the delivery scan...not holding my breath though. @med I decided to play it safe and not use the one you sent me for this application. However, several of the plugins use that style of trimmer so it may likely come in handy yet, as all but two need work.

[Specmaster]

How hard is to repair the HP 34401A with this kind of error ( error 604 ) and "Bad display, Self test fail. 604 error, A/D convergence error. Front/ rear input switch missing.
Missing rear bezel and handle. eBay auction: #293578836763 ?
Because these 3 meters from the same seller goes for 148 USD, very tempting offer after reading the xdevs : https://xdevs.com/fix/hp34401a/

The seller is fine, I have purchased a Fluke 8842A and a HP3468A from them, but that HP34401A, I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole. Those switches are not standard ones, well the switch might be but not the push rods that operate them, they special cranked to make contact with the switch, which if you check them out are not on the same plain or in line with the button on the front panel.

[TorinoFermic]

Quote from: Specmaster on Today at 21:18:23>Quote from: TorinoFermic on Today at 19:35:51

How hard is to repair the HP 34401A with this kind of error ( error 604 ) and "Bad display, Self test fail. 604 error, A/D convergence error. Front/ rear input switch missing.
Missing rear bezel and handle.

eBay auction: #293578836763 ?
Because these 3 meters from the same seller goes for 148 USD, very tempting offer after reading the xdevs : https://xdevs.com/fix/hp34401a/

The seller is fine, I have purchased a Fluke 8842A and a HP3468A from them, but that HP34401A, I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole. Those switches are not standard ones, well the switch might be but not the push rods that operate them, they special cranked to make contact with the switch, which if you check them out are not on the same plain or in line with the button on the front panel.

Good to know, I assumed the repair would be possible since xdevs.com could do the same according the same error for this ebay link in particular but I believe you. 

[DC1MC]

my bank just went belly up and will face liquidation. let's hope the so called Einlagensicherung will jump in.  Bloody hell. Why does my life ruin my day every fucking day ...

A German retail bank went belly up ? Who, when ?!?!

 DC1MC

[Brumby]

...  it seems you're looking for TEA endorsement.

Hate you when you're so damn right. 

So - you know what you should do then.   

[BravoV]

...  it seems you're looking for TEA endorsement.

Hate you when you're so damn right. 

So - you know what you should do then.   

Yeah, just found one, a really luxurious and overkill apparatus in reforming old HV electrolytic capacitors. 

[Brumby]

Pics when it arrives .....