Author Topic: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack  (Read 29984 times)

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Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« on: September 27, 2014, 12:47:06 am »
Dave shows how to upgrade an Agilent/Keysight 6643A/6642A/6641A system dc power supply to have front panel binding posts.
Sense lines are added to improve the high current accuracy.
Operation Manual: http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5964-8267.pdf
Service Manual + Schematic: http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5959-3376.pdf

Auction Score video:

 

Offline Jebnor

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2014, 02:53:36 am »
In the schematic it looked like there were two pins for the binding posts, which I now realize are for the two pins of the spade lug.  Still, could something like these dual binding posts fit?   Two of the pairs could be used, one for each + and -. 5 Posts on the front, one of each pair being the Power, the other the sense line and Ground. In this manner you could have front panel remote sense if you like.
Before this, there was a typo.
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2014, 03:37:27 am »
I thought about adding front panel sense connectors also, and might do that on my next unit. But then you have to have some semi-permanent jumpers in place for regular 2 wire use. Or a switch. Pros and cons.
 

Offline kingofkya

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2014, 05:04:35 am »
What about some scrap pcb then drill and epoxy it to the back of the front panel it would give you a solid base to work with.

Tin snips work great for cutting pcb down down to size:)
 

Offline RobB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2014, 05:20:24 am »
Hack.... yes that just about covers it Dave. 
The title should more correctly read 'Lets just poke a couple of holes in the front panel of a high class power supply and half arse hang some cheap binding posts on the front.'
With respect Dave, you may be a wiz with the electronic side but you have no aptitude or empathy with anything mechanical. Where's the pride in a job well done? The guys at Agilent must be cringing right now.
 

Offline Monittosan

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2014, 05:59:03 am »
Here you go dave this is what the binding post option looks like.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2014, 06:00:57 am by Monittosan »
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2014, 06:27:39 am »
Can you imagine a design with Dave doing the electronics and Robrenz doing the mechanical side, with Mike as the software and UI designer.

Won't be cheap, but will work for decades.
 

Offline AlfBaz

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2014, 06:54:48 am »
Can you imagine a design with Dave doing the electronics and Robrenz doing the mechanical side, with Mike as the software and UI designer.

Won't be cheap, but will work for decades.
Once it's finished that is!  >:D
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2014, 07:30:53 am »
2 against one will get the electronics done, even if they have to fly to crack the whip.
 

Offline HP-ILnerd

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2014, 07:41:01 am »
with Mike as the software and UI designer.


You didn't hear Mike on the Amp Hour, did you?   ;D

These Hack/Upgrade episodes are interesting.  There was the Mantis hack, the Hakko hack, the Counter upgrade...any others?
Mike had an interesting one where he hacked a PSU to upgrade it.
It's interesting what you can do if you don't mind voiding the warranty!
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2014, 07:56:23 am »
I did...... But he does know a lot about getting the UI usable ( sorry Dave) and how to spec code to work well with the hardware side.
 

Offline Kernel

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2014, 08:05:16 am »
So no video #666  :palm:
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2014, 08:06:12 am »
With respect Dave, you may be a wiz with the electronic side but you have no aptitude or empathy with anything mechanical. Where's the pride in a job well done?

Sometimes I want that, other times I'm happy just to make do with what I have available.
And in this case I'll likely go back either install a backing plate (I haven't epoxied it) when I get a chance.
I was actually going to hold off on this video half way through until I ordered some bigger connectors, but decided to just get the video finished instead so that was done and dusted.

You want pride in a job well done mechanically, try this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eevblog/sets/72157645262858908/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eevblog/sets/72157645263432179/
« Last Edit: September 27, 2014, 08:44:10 am by EEVblog »
 

Offline HP-ILnerd

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2014, 08:09:23 am »
I did...... But he does know a lot about getting the UI usable ( sorry Dave) and how to spec code to work well with the hardware side.


Granted, but then you'll recall he said he likes doing embedded software, but you tasked him with the bit he has said he likes to do least (UI).
 

Offline HP-ILnerd

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2014, 08:11:58 am »
Gorgeous deck, Dave!
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2014, 08:18:20 am »
Nice with reusing old flooring, here it typically is throw away as it will be riddled with borer, which would be the only reason to replace it. You have to have a certificate that the borer is eradicated before you are allowed to take it to the dump, so often it is cut up and burnt on site instead. There is a market for used flooring in good condition, used to repair existing ones. My floor is parquet but because of the borer damage it has been filled and covered with carpet and vinyl. Too expensive to rip out, as it is stuck down with bitumen, and too much to replace piece wise to get it looking good again.

BTW nice bricklaying, that is hard work to do. I was "volunteered" to do an acre or so of that during training, using reject brick loads from a brick factory. Never had to cut a brick, you could always find an odd shape to fill the hole. Underlay was brick dust.
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #16 on: September 27, 2014, 10:19:52 am »
I thought about adding front panel sense connectors also, and might do that on my next unit. But then you have to have some semi-permanent jumpers in place for regular 2 wire use. Or a switch. Pros and cons.

They make special purpose shorting bars just for this:

http://www.newark.com/pomona/4115/shorting-bar-for-binding-posts/dp/20H0132
 

Offline mikeselectricstuff

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2014, 10:47:06 am »
These Cliff CL159705 posts are a much better solution- the base clamps both sides of the panel giving a very solid fixing.
They also fit Xantrex PSUs, though the wisdom of screw terminal son this particular PSU may be slightly quesitonable... :scared:
Youtube channel:Taking wierd stuff apart. Very apart.
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Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2014, 11:40:44 am »
Well, so long as you take care, and use insulated connectors to connect they will be fine, no exposed metal that will fail a 'standard finger' test unless you undo the nuts. 600V is not going to arc over that separation.
 

Offline Towger

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2014, 01:31:03 pm »
What about some scrap pcb then drill and epoxy it to the back of the front panel it would give you a solid base to work with.

I was shouting that out when Dave was going at the panel with the scissors...  Dave, good job you did not show how the back of the posts in the unit.  :palm:
« Last Edit: September 27, 2014, 01:33:05 pm by Towger »
 

Offline Excavatoree

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #20 on: September 27, 2014, 02:23:52 pm »
This is an example of when having a basic, even "less than basic" mechanical shop facility would come in handy.  (mentioned when Dave was considering re-locating)

A simple jig-saw with metal blade and a drill press would have allowed Dave to cut a small metal plate on which to mount the binding posts.  The plate could have been secured to the three "corner" holes that Dave showed.  Then the decal would have had to have been pulled back, yadda yadda maybe that's all too much but it would have been more secure without having to use epoxy, which makes binding post replacement more difficult.

Just a thought.  What Dave did was no doubt functional enough.   I guess I'm not above some mechanical "lilly gilding." 
« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 12:19:26 am by Excavatoree »
 

Offline kmel

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #21 on: September 27, 2014, 05:57:03 pm »
These Cliff CL159705 posts are a much better solution- the base clamps both sides of the panel giving a very solid fixing.
For reference... your message in this older Agilent 6632B front terminals mod thread.

I have a 6632B and a 66332A which are ready for modding, if there is a nice mechanical solution.
 

Offline dr.diesel

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #22 on: September 27, 2014, 08:49:47 pm »
Gonna have to dig my 6643A out, finally get around to fixing it.  Goes into OVP and clamps on power up, even with output disabled.    |O

Offline dentaku

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #23 on: September 28, 2014, 01:43:14 am »
What about just using some simple plastic washers to cover those big holes so you can tighten the binding posts down properly? It doesn't need to be a square backing plate.
 

Offline Excavatoree

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Re: EEVblog #667 - Agilent 6643A Power Supply Binding Post Hack
« Reply #24 on: September 28, 2014, 02:45:36 am »
What about just using some simple plastic washers to cover those big holes so you can tighten the binding posts down properly? It doesn't need to be a square backing plate.

Because the front panel is plastic,  it might (and I stress "might") not hold up to the forces around the binding posts.  By using a metal plate, fixed by the three mounting holes, that force is distributed over a wider area.  However, if one is gentle with it, the washers would work.    Remember, I said it would be "gilding the lilly," not that it was a necessity.

I wonder what Agilent's design is?
« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 02:49:14 am by Excavatoree »
 


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