Tektronix TM Series Test Equipment?

[rfdave#gmail.com]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Tektronix TM modular test equipment? They seem pretty handy and useful if you can find the modules you need.

Dave

[BravoV]

These are all I have on Tek TM500 families, a TM-503 3 slots power module, equipped with 2 Mhz FG FG-501A and 50 Mhz pulse-gen PG-508.

So far I can say is they are still spot on when I powered it on at the 1st time, the signal accuracy is amazing considering they are > 30 years old.   

Maybe this is what those old farts say  , these stuffs are aged and cooked long enough that they don't drift anymore ? 

[ahnuts72]

Here's mine I love them.
2 4.5 digit .05%dmms not auto ranging but meh
2 20 volt +/- current adjustable power supplies with tracking plus 5 volts fixed
11 MHz function generator
100 MHz counter/timer
Used to drool over a setup one of my grandfathers friends had like this when I was a kid.
The first picture is how I bought it from eBay.
The second is with the frequency counter I bought to add to it.
The third picture is showing the function generator set at 1KHz feeding into the frequency counter.
The fourth is one power supply set at 5 volts feeding one of the dmms.
The fifth one is the other power supply set at 12 volts.
The pictures don't do it justice all of it is like brand new the original plastic shipping sleeve covering the handle is still there even.

If I remember right I gave around $300 US for the whole deal but I waited and looked and looked till I found one with most of the exact modules I wanted.
But if you can afford it I would try to find an tm5000 series as the modules are a little better and a bit more modern compared to the tm500 series.

Go here it will tell you about every tm500 and tm5000 series module made as far as I can tell.http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/tektm500/tektm500.html

The 500 series modules will work in the 5000 series power bay but the 5000 series modules wont work in the 500 power bay so if you buy a piece at a time I would get a tm5000 series power bay.


@BravoV
So far I can say is they are still spot on when I powered it on at the 1st time, the signal accuracy is amazing considering they are > 30 years old.   

Mine where pretty much spot on to.

[commongrounder]

I have two TM504 power modules.  One has a DC503A 100Mhz counter, FG504 40Mhz function generator, and PS503A 20V 1A dual power supply.  The other has a distortion test set composed of an AA501 distortion analyzer and a pair of SG505 low distortion sine generators (WR and WQ versions).  They are all built like tanks and have worked very reliably.  I have the counter patched to the sync out on the function generator to have a digital readout of the operating frequency.  The power modules allow you to do rear board interconnects between units to move signals around without unsightly patch cables.

[PaulAm]

They're very handy to have.  There are lots of modules available so you can built up a compact test set for whatever your interest is, be it audio, equipment repair or general use.

I have a TM504 with a freq counter, 250MHz leveled sine generator, pulse generator and a differential amp.

The frames are inexpensive although some of the modules can be pretty pricey.

[MarkL]

I have a TM503, but I agree with ahnuts72 that the TM5000 mainframes would be a better choice.  Not only do you have your choice of TM500 and TM5000 modules, the TM5000 has GPIB for control of TM5000 modules.

I have a FG504 func gen, DC503A counter, and AM503 current probe amp.  My TM503 runs really hot, and I know it's the FG504, but be careful what you stack on top of any TM500.  It's probably better not to put anything on top.  The TM5000 is fan cooled.

Like commongrounder, I have my counter patched to the back of the func gen so I can see the exact frequency being output.  You'll also find there's signals available on the back connector that aren't on the front panel, for example a PLL error signal output on the FG504 to do FM demod.

As far as reliability goes, it's been great except for the FG504 which has had numerous electrical and mechanical problems over the years.  Every time it breaks I think it's time to toss it, but it's always been easy to fix and parts have not been a problem.

Good bargains can be found on ebay.  Set up a search for modules you want and be patient.

[HiTech]

The TM frames and plug-ins are very good. If you are patient and cruise EBay you can find good deals. I bought a TM506 primarily for audio work and includes 6 modules plus the main frame all for under $100 which is unheard of for that price. Everything works. Those plug-ins should not be under estimated in their quality & performance. The ultra low distortion audio osc. has something like .003 or better distortion.... possibly .008%! The DMM module is accurate at least very close to that of my Datron lab meter. Below is my setup:

[rfdave#gmail.com]

They're sounding pretty good. I spend some time poking around on ebay, and the 500 series modules are definitely cheaper than the few 5000 series modules right now, so I might start with a 500 module.

How to you run things on the back panel? Is it switch configurable, or do I need to take things apart?

[BravoV]

The second is with the frequency counter I bought to add to it.

Damn, I'm so jealous, not for the counter, but that beast above it that has popular codename "BrightEye" display  , one of my dream machine. 

[MarkL]

How to you run things on the back panel? Is it switch configurable, or do I need to take things apart?

You need to take it apart and run your own jumpers.  There are solder pads for each contact on each edge connector, if I recall correctly.

There's a section in the service manual that has recommendations on how to do the internal wiring.

[ahnuts72]

They're sounding pretty good. I spend some time poking around on ebay, and the 500 series modules are definitely cheaper than the few 5000 series modules right now, so I might start with a 500 module.

I would suggest again whatever you decide on get a tm5006 mainframe even if you buy it buy itself and add 500 series modules a few at a time so you will be able to use 5000 series plugins in the future.
I've seen an empty bay go for around $150 US pretty regular.

One other thing I am surprised no one else has mentioned it is you really should set your country flag in your profile it helps everyone give better info based on your location.


@BravoV
Yeah I love it low voltage power supply went poof  a little while after I bought it but after replacing it everything is good again and for $350 US I'm not gonna complain about the power supply issue.
Now I just have to finish repairing the old one as a spare.
Sent from my CM11 Nook HD+

[w2aew]

The second is with the frequency counter I bought to add to it.

Damn, I'm so jealous, not for the counter, but that beast above it that has popular codename "BrightEye" display  , one of my dream machine. 

Yes, me too. I love the 2467 with the micro-channel plate CRT. I remember purchasing two of them, brand new, for the lab I was working in 20+ years ago.

[onesixright]

Anybody has experience with repairs on these modules (parts availability, access, etc.)?

[capt bullshot]

Anybody has experience with repairs on these modules (parts availability, access, etc.)?

I've repaired my FG504 (it was quite a bargain on fleabay, together with some other modules in a TM506) twice. Both defects were high frequency PNP transistors, replaceable by modern SMT variants. If you have good failure hunting skills, the faults were easy to find (at least a scope and DMM required), finding replacement  parts is a bit more difficult. Extensive lists of Tek part numbers to Mfr. part numbers exists, as long as no Tek custom chips are involved, you'll find modern replacement parts. Service manuals including schematics exist for many of the modules (check before buy).
Worse are mechanical components like scratchy pots and switches, if you can't clean them, you rarely get a replacement.

[David Hess]

Anybody has experience with repairs on these modules (parts availability, access, etc.)?

Except for major parts which are only likely to be physically damaged, replacements are not a problem.

Some of the denser plug-ins have stacked boards making maintenance more difficult.

[onesixright]

Thanks!

Another question, how is the fan noise level? Any big difference between the 500 and 5000 series?

[David Hess]

Another question, how is the noise level? Any big difference between the 500 and 5000 series?

Noise level of what?  Electrical noise?  Fan noise?

I only have TM504, TM503, and TM501 mainframes which have no fans so they are completely quiet.  Electrically they perform as well or better than stand alone instruments because Tektronix took advantage of floating circuits and single point grounds.

The people over at TekScopes@yahoogroups.com know more about the fan noise but old posts say the TM515 has a loud annoying fan and the other fans are only noisy when the bearings are bad.

[onesixright]

Thanks David!

I updated the question, i did mean the "fan" noise. The larger mainframes (like the TM5006) seems to have a pretty large fan?

The fan of my Rigol DP832, drives me nuts (need to fix it).

[David Hess]

Thanks David!

I updated the question, i did mean the "fan" noise. The larger mainframes (like the TM5006) seems to have a pretty large fan?

The fan of my Rigol DP832, drives me nuts (need to fix it).

A large fan by itself does not make it noisy.  I find the whine of small fans which must operate at higher RPM to be the most annoying.

I suspect only the TM515 and maybe TM506 are objectionably loud and the others are only noisy if their bearings are worn out.  The fans are easy enough to replace or even repair.

The smallest units with a fan are the TM504A and TM5003.  The original TM504 has no fan but the very rare TM504A does. 

[KD0CAC John]

I picked up 2 truck loads of gear lately , small P/U and need to get a place to put together my bench , so I can dig more into what I have & what works , I've lucky , have several sources of used gear .
Several problems though , I live full time in a Airstream trailer , so can not really setup a good bench .
The sources are dwindling .
And I got into ham radio about 10 yrs. which got me to these sources and the interest in putting together a bench .
One of the 1st sources was another ham that did scrapping , and I was at the beginning of ham radio / electrical repair , so destroyed lots of stuff before I know what was what , bummer ;(
I could have lots of spares , but like this last load of stuff so little space , that I had to spend a few days and pick what was obviously damaged and no response to plugging in and scrap to keep what may be good .
There was maybe 20+ plugins , a single bay , and multi bay , only part of the goodies .
One of these days 

[FlyingHacker]

Anybody has experience with repairs on these modules (parts availability, access, etc.)?

I have repaired or serviced many modules. Very easy to work on the single bay modules. You might need and extender if you cannot access what you need from the sides or top.

The two bay wide modules are more cramped, but generally not than as. The SC504 (80MHz two channel scope) is one of my favorites, but this one is harder to work on, as everything is very tightly packed.

The FG504 is also an awesome module, 40Mhz sweep enabled analog (not DDS) function generator. It even has PLL to lock to input signals for syncing different sources.

[FlyingHacker]

Noise wise the 5006 is indeed quite noisy, especially if you compare it with the silent TM504.  It has a pretty loud fan and makes a lot of wind noise. It does keep the modules nice and cool, though. I would calibrate the modules in whatever mainframe you plan on using them in. The temperature difference between a TM5006 and TM504, both of which I have, is fairly substantial.

[guido]

Also have a few. A TM502A with newer TG501 - AM503B and a TM504 with more mainstream stuff.
Older DC504 / DM503 and a crappy FG 503. Handy on the bench.

Also have an SG502, but the dual potmeter is broken 

Dual 10k lin, 360 degrees without endstop. Vishhay Model 100 series; 100B2103103B01,
Spectrol 100-9625, 2x 10k lin 3% with 0.5% lin. Tek number 311-1502-00

Anyone? 

[David Hess]

...

Several problems though , I live full time in a Airstream trailer , so can not really setup a good bench.

...

This is an ideal situation for TM500 instruments since they can be reconfigured to provide the needed functions in a minimum of space.

I have repaired or serviced many modules. Very easy to work on the single bay modules. You might need and extender if you cannot access what you need from the sides or top.

I do not have an extender so I use a TM501 or TM503 with the cover removed to access a plug-in module while it is operating.

The two bay wide modules are more cramped, but generally not than as. The SC504 (80MHz two channel scope) is one of my favorites, but this one is harder to work on, as everything is very tightly packed.

Some of the single bay wide modules are difficult to access like the hot running DC505 which has two full length boards and the DM501A which has a daughter board soldered onto the main board.

The FG504 is also an awesome module, 40Mhz sweep enabled analog (not DDS) function generator. It even has PLL to lock to input signals for syncing different sources.

The various TM500 signal generators are very useful and even more so in combination.  For instance one function generator can be used to sweep another.  Combine that with a 2236, 2236A, 2247A, or 2252 oscilloscope and you have a network analyser with high resolution frequency readout.

[Bryan]

I do not have an extender so I use a TM501 or TM503 with the cover removed to access a plug-in module while it is operating.

Great tip, will have to try this. Have a TG501 that needs some work and didn't want to go the extender route while working on it.