Is it worth buying a broken HP 6200B DC to attempt repair?

[kolonelkadat]

I saw a broken HP 6200B DC power supply on ebay for around 25 bucks after shipping. The listing says it doesnt power up.

Would it be worth it to try to fix it or is my money better spent on something else? Im not especially handy at electronics, but im sure I could replace a switch or resolder a wire thats come loose. Maybe this would be over my head to even try?

 Im really just looking for something to power arduino projects for testing low battery circuits and stuff.

[Tac Eht Xilef]

They're a tank of a supply, nearly bulletproof, excellent regulation and ripple for their age, and nice and easy to fix. From memory there's nothing in them that's particularly hard to find except the matched transistor amps (which are not difficult to substitute with hand-matched pairs).

The downside is they're a tank of a supply, and 40+ years old...

For $25 I'd pick it up just for the hell of it. For a raw beginner it might be over your head, but it'd be a good gentle learning experience. But for Arduino-ish use, you might be better off buying or making something with fixed 5 & 12v rails + a simple adjustable regulator.

[nctnico]

It looks like a neat power supply. But I'm pretty sure the problems will me more severe than a loose wire. I bought some old HP supplies recently. I had to replace all the electrolytic capacitors and a few diodes to get them back to work.

[c4757p]

I'd expect to replace the caps anyway. 40 years old and it probably has some very large ones that make big booms when they pop... I don't see failed diodes all too often, but they're easy to replace anyway. Did any of the diodes fail short? (If he says yes, than kolonelkadat, you might want to probe those diodes before you turn it on. Wouldn't want to stick AC up the capacitors!)

[blackdog]

Hi,

If you like to solder by it!!!
It is a powersupply from Harrison division, must by GOOD!!!
I have several of these power supply's and afther some work on them the perform like new.

Replace the dual voltage settings potmeter with a 10K, 10 turn potmeter and you wil be happy :-)
And if you want, replace the current potmeter with a 1K, 10 turn type.

Kind regarts,
Blackdog

[kolonelkadat]

thanks for the input guys. I may have to give it a shot.