Electronics > Repair
Wavetek 182A Function Gen Teardown And Repair
EpicIntelGamer:
Hello everyone!
This thread was asking about something I purchased but after it arrived it turned into a tear down and repair thread. The tear down and repair starts on post number 4.
I have the option to purchase purchased a Wavetek 182A function generator for cheap.
I have wanted a function generator to learn more about making an inverter (like 12v to 120v) and also for transformer efficiency and even to learn how to figure out how many Hz a waveform is on an analog scope.
I wanted to know if this model in specific can do that and also, would I be able to have this directly power a mosfet for quick and dirty temporary PWM control? Can this make a simple 60Hz sine or squarewave? I don't know myself because I am confused by the amount of different BNC connectors on the front of this and I can't quite figure this stuff out.
Is there any other uses for a function generator?
Thanks for all of your help!
EpicIntelGamer:
Nobody knows about this function generator?
w2aew:
Can you generate signals of different frequencies and observe them on a scope? Yes, you can. The analog dial on thus generator won't allow to to set the output to a very precise frequency, but it will be close enough for most hobby applications.
Will it be able to generate a simple 60Hz sine or square wave? Yes, it can.
Can you use it to generate a PWM signal? Not directly. I don't see symmetry control, so it looks like the square wave is always 50% duty cycle. You can use a simple external comparator circuit and the triangle wave generator to adjust the duty cycle of the square wave.
There are many uses for a function generator like this, too many to list.
If you are confused on how to operate it, check out the instruction manual:
http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/wavetek/182A_Mar86.pdf
EpicIntelGamer:
--- Quote from: w2aew on August 20, 2013, 02:30:29 am ---Can you generate signals of different frequencies and observe them on a scope? Yes, you can. The analog dial on thus generator won't allow to to set the output to a very precise frequency, but it will be close enough for most hobby applications.
Will it be able to generate a simple 60Hz sine or square wave? Yes, it can.
Can you use it to generate a PWM signal? Not directly. I don't see symmetry control, so it looks like the square wave is always 50% duty cycle. You can use a simple external comparator circuit and the triangle wave generator to adjust the duty cycle of the square wave.
There are many uses for a function generator like this, too many to list.
If you are confused on how to operate it, check out the instruction manual:
http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/wavetek/182A_Mar86.pdf
--- End quote ---
Okay then this sounds like it was a good buy for only $20 then!
Hopefully I can figure out that comparator thing easily and mess around with some PWM when I get this.
And yeah after thinking for a while I guess that even though the dial only goes up to 4 I can make 60Hz using .6 on the dial and the 100x multiplier.
Thanks for your help.
EpicIntelGamer:
Well I received the unit today and despite seeing the unit powered up (just plugged in and powered, not necessarily functioning) in the eBay listing, I decided that I'd have a look inside before turning it on.
Looks pretty clean and pretty new inside at first glance, however I could see small black lines over parts of the chips and pcb.
Then my eyes focused on the right front corner of the PCB marked "Output Amplifier" where the outputs on the front are attached. Some component, looking like a resistor or something similar is completely and utterly charred. Not only is that charred but an axial cap next to it has huge burn marks. I then figured I'd take a look at the top of the case that I had removed and set aside. In the corresponding corner of the top of the case there is a lot of soot and possibly a bit of melting indicating that that component went bang in a big way, which would also explain the small lines of black soot that had settled all over the pcb.
I powered it on and checked all voltage rails, all seemed to be good. Checked a jumper that was supposed to be displaying a sawtooth wave, it checked good.
I tried the 2V peak to peak output and got nothing at all on my oscilloscope.
The resistor turned out to be a 54.9 ohm resistor that goes from the low output to ground. The closest I have is 100ohm so I connected it in and still got nothing on the output.
I'll post pictures soon, until then, any help or suggestions are appreciated.
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