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| HP power supply question |
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| djf123:
I recently purchased a cheap used Hewlett Packard 6201B DC power supply off ebay after having been advised not to purchase a new cheap chinese power supply off ebay, presumably due to these being bad. But I am rather disappointed as I have encountered some problems, and I need some advice. Primarily I want to know if I bought a lemon. My first problem is that when I turn it on I immediately begin smelling a strong metallic and burnt electronics smell. Its intense but I don't see any visible smoke. I suspect that it is coming from the transformer as one can see the wiring pushing out from it on the side. Is this whats causing the smell and how can I stop the smell? Is it worth trying to fix this thing and if so can you buy new transformers for this, assuming this is the problem, and if so where? Overall its pretty dirty inside, but it does appear to work and provide steady voltage. The second problem is that the plastic covering over one of the dials is broken off. Can you buy replacements for this and if so where? Lastly, the plastic red indicator light is broken off on the back. Can you buy new ones of these online? So did I buy a lemon and is this worth restoring? If so, how would you go about it? |
| Andy Watson:
--- Quote from: djf123 on March 31, 2019, 12:33:50 am ---Primarily I want to know if I bought a lemon. --- End quote --- Hard to say. Was it in that condition when you bought it? It looks like it has received some severe impact damge - possibly in transit. The top view of the unit shows that the meter has become partially displaced from its mountings. The neon-indicator has been totally snapped-off. However, the most obvious damge is to the transformer mountings - it has obviously been displaced towards the bottom right corner of the frame. I would want to sort all those issues and inspect for further damage before powering it up again. Was it a lemon? May be not, but it is now! --- Quote ---My first problem is that when I turn it on I immediately begin smelling a strong metallic and burnt electronics smell. --- End quote --- That's not good. However, as I said, I would throughly examine it for further damage before attempting to power it up again. Is it worth fixing? That depends - do you want a project or a power supply? "Fixing" is not going to be a trivial task, and since you are asking, I assume it will be an extremely steep learning curve for you. I would fix it, but then, I like the idea of restoring old devices and I don't need (antoher) power supply. |
| bitseeker:
Welcome to the forum, djf123. Buying quality used gear is a good way to go, especially here in the US where there's much to choose from. However, it does require some care so that you get one with low risk of problems. Model-specific parts (identical knobs, transformers, meters, enclosure pieces) for these are not available new. That's usually solved by buying a parts/not working one to transplant parts from (a.k.a., a parts mule) or getting lucky and catching someone who is parting theirs out, though prices can be rather high on individual pieces. Generic parts such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, some transistors, and the like are usually available new, so old power supplies are still relatively repairable. What was the condition of this power supply in the listing? Was it listed as "Used" or "For parts/not working"? As Andy asked, was it damaged in transit? Reply with more details so we can better help. |
| Cubdriver:
Ouch! Based on that displaced transformer, it certainly appears that it took a high-impact shock. How much actual damage it suffered will not be clear until it's been further dismantled and examined. If you can repair it, it will serve you very well - HP gear is pretty bulletproof for the most part. If you can get some better pictures of it, and perhaps remove the sides so we can view the area near the power transformer, it will let us better assess things and offer guidance. I dont think I have a 6201B here, but will take a look tomorrow and see; if I do I'll be able to offer more suggestions. It sucks that you may have been burned on this purchase, but don't give up hope just yet. -Pat |
| edpalmer42:
As the other posters indicated, disassembly and more pictures are required. At this point, I'm not even sure if the transformer has been displaced or not. Yes, I see those white things on the right side of the transformer, but look at the L-brackets on the left side of the transformer. They don't show any hint of a violent displacement. I expect to see that the transformer is mounted with four L-brackets, so what are those white things? Also, look at the gaps in the four corners of the case. They're all the same - no hint of any shifting. Djf123, what do you mean by "the wiring pushing out from [the transformer] on the side"? All I see is a perfectly normal looking transformer. Have you downloaded the service manual? Do you know how to read a schematic? What test equipment do you have access to? We need to know this so we can give appropriate advice. Ed |
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