Author Topic: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]  (Read 10825 times)

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Offline enut11Topic starter

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HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« on: February 19, 2017, 05:06:51 am »
I found this listing on eBay with a starting bid of $1850US:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/302226785813?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The vendor has replied to only some of my questions:
Quote
"Here are the notes on the unit.
"Significant damage on internal components on multiple boards. Missing A2 board. Missing components on multiple boards."
I hope this answers your questions.
Quote

Sounds like a challenging project. Any comments from members?
enut11

« Last Edit: February 19, 2017, 09:26:25 am by enut11 »
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Offline CalMachine

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2017, 05:16:40 am »
Sounds like a fantastic challenge!  Good to hear that this vendor is answering questions.
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Offline TheSteve

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2017, 05:24:32 am »
That seller fixes stuff if they can as far as I know. So if they sell it as parts I'd assume you're in for an expensive repair. I assume it has been assembled from bad boards.

At the pricing they want I'd run, not walk away.
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Offline julian1

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2017, 06:46:11 am »
I would say no. If it's missing internal parts, then it's likely been used as inventory to repair other units.
 
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Offline Vgkid

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2017, 06:52:35 am »
Considering the A2(AC) board is at least missing, that will most likely be pricy.
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Offline TiN

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2017, 08:06:09 am »
It's from the same unlucky D4910 seller, btw.
I'm safe with my meters, thank you.   :popcorn:
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Offline james_s

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2017, 08:15:07 am »
$1850, missing a board, parts harvested off of other boards, what are they smoking? I wouldn't pay $100 for that unless I was positive that it had the part(s) I needed to fix another one.
 

Offline Assafl

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2017, 08:18:05 am »
Ugh - Why show the beautiful exterior and provide the specifications and write "untested" when clearly it is Broken/For Parts/Caveat Emptor.

Just 1 disclaimer and then lipstick on the pig - does not make it right.

Why not provide a full picture of the device showing also the busted components inside  and show the place where the missing board should be etc. (showing the case intact is also important to show what the auction does include).
 

Offline james_s

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2017, 08:33:33 am »
Ugh - Why show the beautiful exterior and provide the specifications and write "untested" when clearly it is Broken/For Parts/Caveat Emptor.

Just 1 disclaimer and then lipstick on the pig - does not make it right.

Why not provide a full picture of the device showing also the busted components inside  and show the place where the missing board should be etc. (showing the case intact is also important to show what the auction does include).

Because then it would be obvious that it's a basket case, stripped of all the most valuable parts and there would be little hope of a sucker buying it.
 

Offline ap

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2017, 09:08:13 am »
An A2 board used costs you about 1k USD (way more new). Then, if you are luck you can repair all boards (which I strongly doubt). If you need another board, the used price is someweher between a few hundred to 1k, usually, so make your math. So best guess is, having repaired and calibrated many 3458A's, you end up at 4k, if you are lucky, or more. Keep in mind, many parts are not obtainable, or expensive, so you in that case may need a new board, unless you have spares somewhere. You should also ask yourself why no internal pictures are available. Obviously, they opened this unit up and could have made them (or make them on your request). This may also be a unit that has been 'complied' from various non working ones. That would even be another level of fun...
I have read the D4910 story from this seller on eevblog, and my conclusion as far as they are concerned, is pretty clear.
This in no way is repairable economically. You are better off buying a new, test one at this price with CAL.
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Offline enut11Topic starter

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2017, 09:25:46 am »
This is what I asked the seller to provide:

"I have some questions:
1) Does the unit power up? If so, any error messages? Is the display clear?
2) Do you know any history of the DMM?
3) Do you know if any parts or PCBs have been removed or replaced?
4) Would you be willing to remove the top cover and take some internal photos of the DMM?"

Response was limited to Q3 as you read above. So no deal for me on this one. Thanks to all for helping me decide. :--
enut11
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Offline TiN

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2017, 10:17:12 am »
I still think Q2 is invalid when you entering ebay in the first place. I mean, that's just trying superluck. Only people who use these in metrology keep the history attached to the box. And these people unlikely to be selling parts meter in the first place. Rest of folks, meh, it's just another meter, yes, a good one, but that's about it. When I was looking for first 3458/2002's while ago I saw only few sellers ever with 3458 who actually knew the history (sorta, nobody had multiple calibration reports over the year). Knowing that "meter was in two hands before, and was not repaired/serviced before" is NOT a history for 3458A.

So if you really looking  for 3458, I'd suggest you to prep 3-4K, lot of brave pills, and look for 3Kish one with self-test passed, ACAL passed, with recent years (2000+). If you catch luck, A3 will be nice and stable, and rest you can troubleshoot if needed. Then you will worry about getting DCV reference and 10K stable resistors to get transfers/calibrations or fork another 1-2-3K for calibration at callab.  :)
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Offline Pipelie

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2017, 10:19:22 am »
definitely NO!
I don't  buy a 3458 for parts or repair,   unless:
1. price is low enough, say around $1k or less;
2.internal pictures is provided .  ( in most cases, internal pictures is needed, especially when the DMM can't power up );
3.unit power up and the display  clear.
------------------

P.S.
I bought a 3458a from ebay last year, It reveal a error "ram test 1 high",
luckily, after I replaced the NV RAM and a  Tantalum Capacitors in ADC board, the unit is back to working condition.
 
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Offline mimmus78

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2017, 05:51:54 pm »
I would take it if it will drop a digit from price.
But only if the digit is the last one.
 

Offline james_s

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2017, 05:54:24 pm »
I would assume that the display is broken and that every expensive/hard to find part inside has either been stripped or swapped with a broken one. Their refusal to provide pictures of the interior pretty well guarantees that.
 

Offline carl_lab

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project?
« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2017, 03:37:50 pm »
$1850, missing a board, parts harvested off of other boards, what are they smoking? I wouldn't pay $100 for that unless I was positive that it had the part(s) I needed to fix another one.
That's exactly, what I thought!   |O
$1850... LOL   :-DD
« Last Edit: February 20, 2017, 05:46:06 pm by carl_lab »
 

Offline ManateeMafia

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #16 on: February 20, 2017, 05:18:03 pm »
Even with a spare A2 board, Keysight probably wouldn't touch it either if it is missing components. In the end, it would easier and probably cheaper to buy it new.

Question : was the description of the missing parts added after it was posted on this forum?
 

Offline ap

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #17 on: February 20, 2017, 05:27:31 pm »
At least I do not remember having seen that description when the item was initially listed.
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Offline enut11Topic starter

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2017, 12:32:51 am »
More info from the 3458A seller:

"The unit does power on but displays nothing but one blinking square. We know the unit was last calibrated 10/26/16 but since then appears to have been broken that is all we know if its history. The unit has had board A2 removed, and parts of others others appear damaged. You can see this for yourself in the photos ICs U122-125 are missing and their sockets are burned."

Socketed area looks a bit odd. Recent calibration then....?
enut11

Edit: pictures fixed
« Last Edit: February 23, 2017, 03:07:36 am by enut11 »
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Offline james_s

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2017, 12:55:17 am »
Holy crap. I've never even seen IC sockets burn like that, is there something under them that could get hot? It's not even centered under the die.
 

Offline TheSteve

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #20 on: February 23, 2017, 02:04:45 am »
The socket melting is pretty weird. You might want to fix the pictures - they are mostly wasted white space.

Those sockets aren't even used unless it has option 001 installed.
VE7FM
 

Offline Pipelie

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2017, 08:22:44 am »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Agilent-HP-3458A-Digital-Multimeter-/112312255138?hash=item1a265502a2:g:ZmwAAOSwWxNYrb49
This is might be a better choice.
check out the label on front panel. :)

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Offline TheSteve

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2017, 08:35:30 am »
And it has been sold, someone paid the asking price of 2K. Maybe I should put one of mine on ebay and see how much someone is willing to pay...
VE7FM
 

Offline ap

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2017, 08:54:56 am »
And it has been sold, someone paid the asking price of 2K. Maybe I should put one of mine on ebay and see how much someone is willing to pay...

Sure, do so.
But what else do you want to tell us by your statement....?
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Offline Assafl

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Re: HP3458A on eBay - feasible DIY project? [NO GO]
« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2017, 09:31:02 am »
I wondered who buys these things - so I asked a local T&M VAR (that sells both new and used equipment) if they ever see used HP3458A's on the local market and if they calibrate.

He said they do quite a bit, and that often the 8.5 digit stuff is snapped up quickly by VPG. Also, their cal lab partner just verifies functionality - it cannot calibrate an 8.5 digit DMM. Keysight Israel sends them to the US.
 


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