Electronics > Repair
Agilent 53132A Counter Repair (FIXED and Upgraded)
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HighVoltage:
This 53132A counter was suppose to work well, as described by the seller but it is dead.
Symptoms: No display on, No fan, no reaction at all.
Both fuses seem to be ok.

I already got arrangements with the seller to keep it and now I have another repair job.
This thread is started at the beginning of the repair and at this stage I have no idea what the problem is.

After opening the instrument I found the fan totally plugged up with dirt and lots of dirt blown in
to the power supply area. So first I will clean the inside completely and then start analyzing the problem.
Judging by the dirty PSU, I suspect the first problem there.

After I repair the unit, I want to upgrade the the option 10/12 for a stable frequency reference and
also upgrade to to the 3 GHz Prescaler on Channel 3.

At the end there will be a calibration and comparison to my HP GPSDO with my 53230A counter.

So, anyone here having experience with the 53132A and it's problems?
One thing that sticks out right away is a missing U24 chip.
Hmmm, may be it is required for the time base upgrade?

Interestingly, this one has the Channel 1 and Channel 2 inputs on the back as well.
I think this was an option, because I have seen other units without these connectors on the back.


TheSteve:
Wow, that is some nasty crud. I don't think U24 was ever used. The high stability option just plugs in, no changes to the main board. Same with the 030 option. I added one of the 030 ebay specials to my 53132A as well.
Being the fan should always run and the power is handled by a soft switch, the power supply really screams to be looked at first.

btw, the rear connections are option 060, they are simply in parallel with inputs 1&2, no switching or anything.
HighVoltage:
Thanks for the feedback TheSteve,

I found the two options to be available on ebay Poland and they seem to be at an ok price level:
- 3GHz Prescaler = $89
- Ultra High stability Timebase = $ 105

Full schematics are also available here:
http://www.ko4bb.com/manuals/index.php?dir=HP_Agilent/HP_53131A_53132A_53181A_Universal_Counter

 


TheSteve:
I believe there have been several different aftermarket high stability time bases made. I've seen one that is adjusted using a trimmer, and another that uses an A/D and is calibrated electronically like the factory option.
When ordering verify it is a proper clone that uses the A/D.
ManateeMafia:
I just received my option 030 from Poland. It looks good but the IC closest to the center of the board has pin 3 clipped off. Would anyone with a recent version confirm this is the case?

I contacted the eBay seller and hope to hear back soon.
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