HP / Agilent 34401A VFD to LED Display Conversion

[BillyO]

The LEDs will start out brighter, and IMO easier to read.  Plus they will not fade over time.  NOS VFD units are old and probably leaky, new clones are of suspect quality and longevity.

[KungFuJosh]

I've replaced 3 VFD's with @dimmog's LED panels. They've all been fantastic...and only one of the VFD maybe needed replacement.

[willinsau]

what's the version of your 3 meters?

[KungFuJosh]

what's the version of your 3 meters?

I replaced two 53132A screens, and one K2010.

[KungFuJosh]

@dimmog, any chance you're going to do an LED screen for the 34410A / 34411A?

Thanks,
Josh

[dimmog]

@dimmog, any chance you're going to do an LED screen for the 34410A / 34411A?

Thanks,
Josh

As I mentioned before, the 34410A display isn't just a regular VFD. It has its own built in MCU that drives the VFD display, so making an LED replacement would mean reverse engineering the communication between the main board and the display. That's a pretty big project and takes a lot of time.

On top of that, the 34410A just isn't as common as the 34401A or even the Keithley 2000, so it's hard to justify all that development work.

[felixd]

Доброго ранку @dimmog.

Greetings from Poland.

Do You have those displays somewhere in EU to send from or are You sending all of them directly from USA?
My question is how "best to buy it"?
eBay?

I need 3-4 pcs.

I have 4 34401A.
Firmwares:
- 11-5-2
- 10-5-2
- 10-5-2
- Oldest HP with 3-1-1

Will your Display fit all of them?

[dimmog]

Доброго ранку @dimmog.

Greetings from Poland.

Do You have those displays somewhere in EU to send from or are You sending all of them directly from USA?
My question is how "best to buy it"?
eBay?

I need 3-4 pcs.

I have 4 34401A.
Firmwares:
- 11-5-2
- 10-5-2
- 10-5-2
- Oldest HP with 3-1-1

Will your Display fit all of them?

All our displays are sold exclusively from the US. I think the cheapest way to purchase would be directly through our website hubequip.net

There are three revisions of the HP / Agilent / Keysight 34401A display board. While there are some differences between them, the dual color LED display is a true drop-in replacement and is fully compatible with all revisions and requires no modifications for installation.


[felixd]

Done.
3 pcs 

Cheers.

[Hydron]

Now we just need 34420A (yes I know volume likely isn't there)

[dimmog]

Done.
3 pcs 

Cheers.

Thanks for your order! Dziękuję!

[dimmog]

Now we just need 34420A (yes I know volume likely isn't there)

We're thinking about it. 

[Hydron]

Well at least it should only involve changing symbols/annunciators from the 34401A design - schematic of the display board is identical from the quick review I did yesterday.

I just bought a 34420A so very interested in the option of not spending $150-200 on some super shady ebay VFD if it turns out it needs one (don't get my hands on the unit until I next go to the states unfortunately).

[dimmog]

Well at least it should only involve changing symbols/annunciators from the 34401A design - schematic of the display board is identical from the quick review I did yesterday.

I just bought a 34420A so very interested in the option of not spending $150-200 on some super shady ebay VFD if it turns out it needs one (don't get my hands on the unit until I next go to the states unfortunately).

Yes, the display board is the same, and our LED board is compatible. The only difference is that the last digit is replaced with some annunciators.

My thoughts right now are that if the LED display for the 34401A sells well, it will help finance the production costs of the 34420A display project.

[KungFuJosh]

@Cyclotron, didn't you also just get a 34420A that probably needs a new display?

[Cyclotron]

@Cyclotron, didn't you also just get a 34420A that probably needs a new display?

I did get a 34420A on Monday, and I'm a fan of dimmog and the team at https://hubequip.net/

My unit has a very nice-looking VFD. That's not to say I wouldn't replace it with an LED.  I'm curious how that might impact the ambient noise in the system.
I know one of my backlight changes on a scope from CCFL to LED made a huge difference to the noise floor.

@dimmog, if you guys do a 34420a, let me know; I will probably buy one regardless. Out of the colors I have, I prefer the more cyan color, I think it's. Though I wonder what doing a white LED would be like with a change in the filter screen.

[Hydron]

I snagged the second unit from the eBay listing cyclotron got his from. No pics specifically of the second unit, so there's a chance mine has a vfd in worse shape, hence the interest (note it's not arrived yet and I need to pick it up next time I'm state side).

As for the other models, I got a 34401A clone vfd to replace my tired one before these were available, otherwise I'd have grabbed one to try.

[dimmog]

Thanks RJ for the very nice and detailed review of our new LED display for the 34401A!

[BillyO]

Ordered mine today.  On sale - who could resist?

[BillyO]

@dimmog.

Just a suggestion here.  Avoid using DHL eCommerce as a shipping option please.  2 weeks and the package has not yet arrived.  They just do not seem to give a damn about getting things delivered.  Just use USPS for deliveries to Canada in the future please.  Thar's what DHL do, after shuffling it around half the states in the US and keeping at their depot in Chicago for 3 days.

I can drive to Miami from where I am in under 24 hours.  Two weeks?   


Anyway, looking forward to getting it before passing away.

[KungFuJosh]

DHL Express is great, but the slower services suck. I recently received a package with regular DHL, and it just sat for 8 days at a warehouse before DHL decided it should continue on its journey. DHL Express on the other hand, gets anywhere within a couple days.

[BillyO]

I agree on DHL Express.  I generally get my PCB orders shipped via DHL express and they are usually in my eager (big) hands within 3 days from China.

[dimmog]

@dimmog.

Just a suggestion here.  Avoid using DHL eCommerce as a shipping option please.  2 weeks and the package has not yet arrived.  They just do not seem to give a damn about getting things delivered.  Just use USPS for deliveries to Canada in the future please.  Thar's what DHL do, after shuffling it around half the states in the US and keeping at their depot in Chicago for 3 days.

I can drive to Miami from where I am in under 24 hours.  Two weeks?   


Anyway, looking forward to getting it before passing away.

We ship using the carrier selected by the buyer at checkout.
Several shipping options are available, and we added DHL eCommerce as the lowest-cost option after it was requested by a number of customers.

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

[KungFuJosh]

Probably a combination of old age and impatience.   

[BillyO]

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.