HP / Agilent 34401A VFD to LED Display Conversion

[BillyO]

Probably a combination of old age and impatience.   

Essentially 

[dimmog]

Well, now I'm curious. If DHL eCommerce is so terrible, what made you choose it in the first place? 

You got me there.  I honestly did not even look at the options.

Fair enough. We've all been there. That's how DHL eCommerce keeps getting customers. 

[BillyO]

Just an update.

The package finally arrived on Monday.  Really nicely documented and the display looks very nice (Not yet installed).  I'm very happy with the product.  Thanks Dimmog.

Now for the bad part, which is 100% my fault for choosing DHL eCommerce.  DHL extorted another $26 from me before they would deliver the package.  If I'm not mistaken, that's $52 for shipping that took 17 days.  

Moral of the story NEVER, EVER choose DHL eCommerce if you are shipping from the US to Canada or you will likely have a really bad experience.

[dimmog]

Now for the bad part, which is 100% my fault for choosing DHL eCommerce.  DHL extorted another $26 from me before they would deliver the package.  If I'm not mistaken, that's $52 for shipping that took 17 days.  

Moral of the story NEVER, EVER choose DHL eCommerce if you are shipping from the US to Canada or you will likely have a really bad experience.

Just a small gift for you should be arriving soon. I don't want you to look at that display for years to come and remember the bad shipping experience every time you use it.

[BillyO]

Just a small gift for you should be arriving soon. I don't want you to look at that display for years to come and remember the bad shipping experience every time you use it.

Well, thank you, but really unnecessary.  I usually don't associate things that way.  The product is 100% and has nothing to do with the shipping.  Very detailed instructions BTW.  That's a real breath of fresh air!

[BillyO]

Gift received.  Thanks!  Much appreciated.

[BillyO]

I had a few minutes this afternoon to put my new TRI-COLOR display in.

I put a piece of Kapton tape over the ERROR annunciator.

What do y'all think?

[dimmog]

I had a few minutes this afternoon to put my new TRI-COLOR display in.

I put a piece of Kapton tape over the ERROR annunciator.

What do y'all think?

I can't say I expected that but it works!

[BillyO]

Yeah, even looks better than that in person.

Awesome display!

[KungFuJosh]

Nice! You could also get film for that purpose in whatever color you want: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807011367857.html

I have like 5 colors of that, but I haven't used any of it yet.

[BillyO]

Oooh!  I'll have to get some of that.

[Zucca]

Nice! You could also get film for that purpose in whatever color you want: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807011367857.html

I have like 5 colors of that, but I haven't used any of it yet.

Send me half inch in red, in 15 years when dimmog is done with the 34410a I want the ERROR red. 

Well spotted Josh!

[dimmog]

Send me half inch in red, in 15 years when dimmog is done with the 34410a I want the ERROR red. 

Well spotted Josh!

The only thing I can say right now is that the film won't be needed. 

[Zucca]

The only thing I can say right now is that the film won't be needed. 

If it is a dream do not wake me up.

F yes.

[Hydron]

Picking up a 34410A in a couple of weeks, auction photo showed good VFD but if that's not the case then I'm lining up for one too (same deal with 34420A).

[BillyO]

I had a good VFD but this is WAY better.

[Zucca]

I had a good VFD but this is WAY better.

and dangerous.... once you upgrade one device all the other pristine and new VFDs on the bench look like shhhh....

[BillyO]

and dangerous.... once you upgrade one device all the other pristine and new VFDs on the bench look like shhhh....

Hah!  This whole sport is dangerous!

[KungFuJosh]

That's no joke. I had two good 53132As with good VFDs, and they both got replaced. The 2010's VFD was also fine, and that got replaced (and what a difference!). If he made screens for the 2700, I'd get one of those too.

[Hydron]

Why are they an upgrade from a good VFD? Other than eliminating burn-in anxiety that is.

[KungFuJosh]

Why are they an upgrade from a good VFD? Other than eliminating burn-in anxiety that is.

It's most obvious in the K2010 (2000, 2015, etc.). The original VFDs have very small digits. Look at this comparison of the same meter.

[HairyWombat]

So I have a 34401A with dodgy COTO relay and iffy front rear switch.
Ordered the hideously expensive COTO from Mouser AUD $63.23 (US$45.32) unhappy about the drop to 500VDC on principle.

Its about this time I found and promptly ordered Dimmog's awesome looking replacement display, many thanks for the prompt postage.
Dimmog asked if I could post photos.

Found a parts only unit from Japan for AUS$402 delivered with tax.
It turns up perfect, no COTO or switch issues, few scratches and filthy, VFD was a bit dimmer than the faulty unit..... righto.
In go a set of upscaled caps, and Dimmog's display, it looks awesome, I will get it calibrated on Monday and the original patient I am now not sure about.
More parts units on order   




I had a lot of trouble getting a good photo as the brightness flares my Samsung phone camera, had to stuff with the settings.

I thought along BillyO's suggestion of the Kapton tape but on the Shift icon with green silicon tape.
It didn't work and made little difference except slightly dimmer.
Will get some coloured tapes as I want red for error, now not sure if I will change Shift.
It does look good and an instant no fear of leaving the meter on.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HUY8m8VEbScooaV8SM7pKAhtDy1uYlnI/view?usp=sharing
Also while in the phone camera settings I enabled super slow mode which shows the multiplexing nicely.
Sorry for the poor quality, it got reduced badly during transfer.

Very happy with it, thanks Dimmog and will be ordering a couple more soon.

[dimmog]

In case anyone is wondering what's inside the display.

Here it is.

[HairyWombat]

I was curious, thanks.
Tiny, do you load them yourself?

Send me half inch in red, in 15 years when dimmog is done with the 34410a I want the ERROR red. 

Well spotted Josh!

The only thing I can say right now is that the film won't be needed. 

So does this mean you are planning to do a batch with the error in a red led?
If so whats the ETA on availability.
Yeah scrap that, I read back and can't be done on the 34401A display
Sorry for the 01A 10A confusion, without glasses 1's and 0's don't get along

[Hydron]

I note "10A" rather than "01A" there - might be referring to that meter, which has a very different display fitted.