Author Topic: FSHP/Agilent 34401a 6.5 digit multimeters (Read 20236 times)

KJDS · « **on:** July 15, 2015, 05:16:05 pm »

I've got a pile of these to sell.

£300 for a bare unit, £310 for one with the rack mount lugs, £325 for one with the front and rear bumpers and £350 for one with the pouch with leads and user manual.

Prices include VAT, can remove that if applicable.

Shipping £10 UK, £20 to Western EU and a bit more for further afield.

Zucca · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2015, 05:17:42 pm »

Wow! Nice price too.

I already have 3 of them, otherwise...

neslekkim · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2015, 06:45:12 pm »

How long since calibration on those?

HighVoltage · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2015, 07:24:06 pm »

I have far too many of these already otherwise I would buy one.
Really nice collection btw.

KJDS · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2015, 07:43:26 pm »

Quote from: neslekkim on July 15, 2015, 06:45:12 pm

How long since calibration on those?

There are two with cal stickers which say cal'd in 2007, two with 2013 and the rest are unlabelled.

dadler · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2015, 08:28:50 pm »

Most sellers charge more for the ones that are badged as Agilent vs HP. Not sure if it's an age or perceived value thing.

You seem to be considering them all equivalent?

HighVoltage · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2015, 09:21:49 pm »

Quote from: dadler on July 15, 2015, 08:28:50 pm

Most sellers charge more for the ones that are badged as Agilent vs HP. Not sure if it's an age or perceived value thing.

You seem to be considering them all equivalent?

Usually the older HP models with all red insulators are going for around 100 Euro less on ebay Germany, compared to the Agilent branded versions. But then I have also met one guy, who only buys the older HP branded models, because he claims they are more stable.

free_electron · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2015, 10:01:18 pm »

Quote from: HighVoltage on July 15, 2015, 09:21:49 pm

But then I have also met one guy, who only buys the older HP branded models, because he claims they are more stable.

you can make a quick buck off that guy. The later fw changed the sampling speed default to fast so they look more jittery. if you change the default they behave identical.

KJDS · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2015, 10:18:28 pm »

I've not given a huge thought to pricing these, but the ones with bumpers are generally Agilent with a more recent cal, so they are priced a bit more expensive.

Deathwish · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2015, 10:20:16 pm »

hoping my money comes in to get one of those this week.... been told by our govt it is being restarted.

Macbeth · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2015, 05:18:45 am »

Ooh I fancied one of these, or a Keithley. Recently got a 2015 from Korea for £235 all in. I have absolutely no need of any more 6.5 digits. Oh no...

HighVoltage · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2015, 09:21:57 am »

Quote from: free_electron on July 15, 2015, 10:01:18 pm

Quote from: HighVoltage on July 15, 2015, 09:21:49 pm
But then I have also met one guy, who only buys the older HP branded models, because he claims they are more stable.

you can make a quick buck off that guy. The later fw changed the sampling speed default to fast so they look more jittery. if you change the default they behave identical.

How interesting, I was not aware of this fact but it explains what this guy was after.
I still have one of these really old models (1991?) and never updated the fw may be that has a default slow sampling rate, I will check that out. Interestingly, this very old model is extremely stable and passes calibration every year without any problems.

I think these meters are a must have for every serious lab. And getting them for such a low price now like £300 here from KJDS is remarkable. And since all schematics are available, they can be repaired, if something goes wrong.

Zucca · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2015, 11:37:50 am »

Quote from: HighVoltage on July 16, 2015, 09:21:57 am

and never updated the fw may be that has a default slow sampling rate, I will check that out.

whoa... is it possible to update the firmware?... mmmmm

HighVoltage · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:53:16 pm »

Quote from: zucca on July 16, 2015, 11:37:50 am

Quote from: HighVoltage on July 16, 2015, 09:21:57 am
and never updated the fw may be that has a default slow sampling rate, I will check that out.

whoa... is it possible to update the firmware?... mmmmm

Yes, it is in EEPROM. I came across a site once where the different versions were listed but it seems I can not find it right now. Years ago, before I repaired the 34401A myself, I had one repaired and calibrated. The cal lab dumped a new fw in to EEPROM. It worked well, even with the front panel fw not updated.

lostboy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:54:46 pm »

If you are UK based RS Components will calibrate (test & adjust if necessary) these for £60 Inc pickup & return delivery (price from last Nov). This to RS in house standard, UKAS cert is extra. I felt it was a worthwhile investment having bought a 2nd hand instrument of unknown provenance to validate what is now my reference meter for hobbyist use. I presume this is competitively priced because they have invested in an automated set up given the volume of instruments they handle.

Chris

Zucca · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2015, 02:26:42 pm »

Quote from: HighVoltage on July 16, 2015, 01:53:16 pm

The cal lab dumped a new fw in to EEPROM

Nice... I think I will try to read/dump the chip out. It should work without desoldering it... I hope.

KJDS · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:55:12 pm »

Most in the picture have sold, but I've just picked up some more from the storage unit. Anyone else want one?

Andy Watson · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:57:31 pm »

Just spent the morning playing with mine. Nice bright display - practically as new. Big thumbs-up to Mr KJDS.

deephaven · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2015, 04:04:46 pm »

Quote from: Andy Watson on July 21, 2015, 03:57:31 pm

Just spent the morning playing with mine. Nice bright display - practically as new. Big thumbs-up to Mr KJDS.

I got one from Mr KJDS too. Thumbs up from me as well

JJalling · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2015, 08:31:15 am »

Quote from: KJDS on July 21, 2015, 02:55:12 pm

Most in the picture have sold, but I've just picked up some more from the storage unit. Anyone else want one?

Ohh, its so tempting!!! Do you have any Agilent-branded ones, with bumpers left?

BR Jonas

KJDS · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2015, 08:36:48 am »

Quote from: JJalling on July 22, 2015, 08:31:15 am

Quote from: KJDS on July 21, 2015, 02:55:12 pm
Most in the picture have sold, but I've just picked up some more from the storage unit. Anyone else want one?

Ohh, its so tempting!!! Do you have any Agilent-branded ones, with bumpers left?

BR Jonas

I'll go back down the storage unit later and see what's still there, those I brought back at the weekend have now gone.

bingo600 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2015, 04:41:51 pm »

Quote from: JJalling on July 22, 2015, 08:31:15 am

Ohh, its so tempting!!! Do you have any Agilent-branded ones, with bumpers left?

BR Jonas

Jonas
I can only recommend the 34401A.

I was lucky to get one for 3K dkk on DBA a few years ago.
It was brand new in Box, had less than 5 "On hours"

It's my favourite bench meter, and is used a lot more often than my 3458A.

/Bingo

JJalling · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2015, 06:36:29 pm »

Quote from: bingo600 on July 22, 2015, 04:41:51 pm

Quote from: JJalling on July 22, 2015, 08:31:15 am
Ohh, its so tempting!!! Do you have any Agilent-branded ones, with bumpers left?

BR Jonas

Jonas
I can only recommend the 34401A.

I was lucky to get one for 3K dkk on DBA a few years ago.
It was brand new in Box, had less than 5 "On hours"

It's my favourite bench meter, and is used a lot more often than my 3458A.

/Bingo

In DBA - wow, never thought of looking there! I've been wanting a 34401a for a long time now - I have a couple at work and it's a great meter!

/Jonas

KJDS · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2015, 07:12:09 pm »

I've just tested the remainder of the pile.

I've got ten good ones, all of which are HP, and mostly cal'd in 2013, though measurements agree well with the ones cal'd in 2006.

All but one have bumpers and handles, and I've still got one pouch that vecros on top with manual and leads.

£315 each for those with 2013 cal, £300 for earlier cals and I'll knock a bit more off if you don't want the bumpers and handle.

£10 uk shipping, £20 western EU, elsewhere at cost, just ask, but I can remove the VAT if they are going outside the UK or within the EU if you have a valid VAT number.

neslekkim · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:07:11 pm »

Got mine today, looks good, very very good packaging


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Author Topic: FSHP/Agilent 34401a 6.5 digit multimeters (Read 20236 times)

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