Author Topic: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread  (Read 14548701 times)

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Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1025 on: April 05, 2017, 11:25:23 pm »
That 5316B is really clean inside. Great score.

Thanks!  :)

Quote
:-+ I must've seen the listing before. I recognize the dimple on the left edge of the front panel. :-DD

Well, if it was a piece of furniture we'd call that "distressing". Don't know if that term applies to test equipment or not.  ;)
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Offline smgvbest

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1026 on: April 06, 2017, 12:07:47 am »
Does being irritated at buyers on ebay who buy and resell at outrageous prices stealing equipment from those of us who can't afford new so we buy to fix and us fit in this group?

just had one on ebay, outbid me in the last second of an auction.  took a look at thier history and that's what they are doing.  I find it soo irritating.
Sandra
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Offline mmagin

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1027 on: April 06, 2017, 12:39:31 am »
Does being irritated at buyers on ebay who buy and resell at outrageous prices stealing equipment from those of us who can't afford new so we buy to fix and us fit in this group?

just had one on ebay, outbid me in the last second of an auction.  took a look at thier history and that's what they are doing.  I find it soo irritating.

It's called "sniping", its somewhat the norm.  Install JBidWatcher, leave it running on your home computer, and do it yourself :)

That said, I would prefer a system where silly bidding wars do not occur.
 

Online Brumby

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1028 on: April 06, 2017, 03:27:38 am »
There are varying opinions about sniping - but eBay's bidding process makes it possible.

I rarely go for auctions any other way, since it is MY best chance on paying as little as possible and to avoid getting caught up in auction fever and paying too much.
 
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Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1029 on: April 06, 2017, 05:05:05 am »
Exactly. I've been on more traditional-style auctions where the listing won't close if someone bids during the last 5 minutes. It usually results in prices going sky high.
TEA is the way. | TEA Time channel
 

Offline Berni

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1030 on: April 06, 2017, 05:18:37 am »
I found that well known models of test gear are often not that great to bid on. Too many people find it and want it and then they fight it out on bids until the price goes too high to be worth bothering.

I been looking for a cheap Keithley 2001 for months, but every time one pops up for bidding people go crazy over it, even for broken and not in great shape looking ones.

On the other extreme there are oddball items that nobody really looked for so i ended up winning them on the starting bid of a few bucks higher than the starting bid.(For great bargins)
 

Offline Cubdriver

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1031 on: April 06, 2017, 07:18:27 am »
Sniping is bad for the seller, but better for the buyer.  I'm a buyer, so as far as I'm concerned, it's the only way to go.  I've had people argue against it, but in my personal experience it works for me, so I continue to do it.  If they started extending the close time with each bid, I think I'd participate in fewer auctions.

FWIW

-Pat
If it jams, force it.  If it breaks, you needed a new one anyway...
 

Online tggzzz

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1032 on: April 06, 2017, 08:11:08 am »
That said, I would prefer a system where silly bidding wars do not occur.

Erm, isn't that the essence of auctions? For a seller the worst scenario is where only one person wants it. (I've got some great bargains that way, e.g. battery backed 10V zener diode sources and Guildline resistors for £14 each, a Solartron 7081 for £75 :) )

Fleabay has a simple alternative: the "buy it now or best offer" mechanism.
Use goofbid.com, insert seller's name, and see their history of accepted/rejected best offers. Use watchcount.com, insert item number of sold items, and often see what the selling price was.

Some auctions have a "max bid", and the actual price paid is the second-highest-bid + bid-increment. (Am I hallucinating; doesn't fleabay have that mechanism?)

Some auctions have the "auction closes 10 mins after last bid" mechanism.

I've used all, and have no strong preference.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2017, 08:14:45 am by tggzzz »
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Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1033 on: April 06, 2017, 12:03:41 pm »
There are varying opinions about sniping - but eBay's bidding process makes it possible.

I rarely go for auctions any other way, since it is MY best chance on paying as little as possible and to avoid getting caught up in auction fever and paying too much.

That's the way I've always done my bidding, after reading up a long time ago on the right way to bid. If the item is up for a week, and you bid on it each day, it simply alerts others to the fact that somebody else is out there that wants it. The way to bid is to decide first - what is the maximum amount you are willing to pay. Then, wait until the last 15 seconds or so and make your bid. You either get it or you don't. You either pay the maximum you decided on, or you don't. Don't give away information (bids) in a competition if you don't have to. The point is to win, not lose.

Doing it this way, I've won plenty of items in the last few seconds, and I've never paid more than I had decided I wanted to.  :)
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Offline rrinker

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1034 on: April 06, 2017, 02:10:48 pm »
 :-+ :-+

Exactly This is always how I've done it. Keeps me from going crazy and paying much more than I should. It just requires patience and some self control, but unless the item is the only one in the world at any price, there WILL be another at another time and you can try again. It took me three shots to get one of those GW Instek power supplies (I think Housedad is the one who sniped me on the one LOL ). There are times when I know I won;t be able to be there for the end, so I will occasionally just stick in the most I'm willing to pay. Sometimes the max bid by a previous bidder is already over what I'm willing to pay, so I just stop following that item and move on to the next. Sometimes that sets em as high bid, and when I return I have a pleasant surprise, I actually one. Most of the time though when I have to bid earlier, I definitely do not win. Getting my Siglent scope for the price I did required some help - I was driving at the time the auction was ending so I set it up in the eBay app on my phone and gave it to my GF and told her when to hit the submit button - and it worked.
 Besides my test gear collection, I've also build up my model railroad collection in the same way, sitting back, being patient, last 10 seconds bids, and not being overly disappointed if the max I was willing to pay was not enough to win. That's how I have brand new in the box items that sold in stores for $150-$200 and I paid $40 for.

 

Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1035 on: April 06, 2017, 03:21:26 pm »
Yea, what you got to do, even if you've been waiting for the thing you want for years, is to stop yourself from bidding during all those other bids you see for however long the thing is up there. It can be hard but just relax. Bidding against those people is futile, it won't do you any good. Just wait a week until the last 15 seconds (to make sure your bid gets read) and do it.

Besides my test gear collection, I've also build up my model railroad collection in the same way, sitting back, being patient, last 10 seconds bids, and not being overly disappointed if the max I was willing to pay was not enough to win. That's how I have brand new in the box items that sold in stores for $150-$200 and I paid $40 for.

What scale do you run? I had a big N scale setup about 4 years ago. I got tired of it, but still have all the trains though.

So, I decided to re-configure my shelving to satisfy my TEST affliction. I need - NEED - to have all my HP gear side-by-side. The 5316B was too long for the bottom shelf, so I just got back from the Container Store with a deeper shelf for the bottom. So, I hope to have a nice symmetry setup and operational for you all to look at by the end of the day.  :clap:
I told my friends I could teach them to be funny, but they all just laughed at me.
 

Offline Housedad

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1036 on: April 06, 2017, 04:30:50 pm »
Sorry you didn't win the power supply, rrinker.   I bought two, but only sniped on one of them, but I am glad you did finally get one.   Ebay can be brutal.  I rarely get to snipe, as I prefer to just do a best offer.   But sometimes the item I want is only available through auction at a decent price.  Sniping and auctions in general give me ulcers.
At least I'm still older than my test equipment
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1037 on: April 06, 2017, 04:52:09 pm »
After experiencing SAD moment,
now its a perfect LATTE time,
so excited that I was HUM-ming like an animal,
but now proudly to be a PETA member.  :palm:

Edit : Hint .. its a TEK  >:D
« Last Edit: April 06, 2017, 04:56:06 pm by BravoV »
 

Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1038 on: April 06, 2017, 04:57:13 pm »
After experiencing SAD moment,
now its a perfect LATTE time,
so excited that I was HUM-ming like an animal,
but now proudly to be a PETA member.  :palm:

Edit : Hint .. its a TEK  >:D

Drama ...

 :popcorn:
I told my friends I could teach them to be funny, but they all just laughed at me.
 

Offline Housedad

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1039 on: April 06, 2017, 05:13:33 pm »
Suspense..
« Last Edit: April 06, 2017, 05:49:10 pm by Housedad »
At least I'm still older than my test equipment
 

Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1040 on: April 06, 2017, 05:45:23 pm »
Drum roll...
TEA is the way. | TEA Time channel
 

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1041 on: April 06, 2017, 06:31:35 pm »
Yah okay where is it.....
You are giving me TEPA (Test Equipment Porn Anxiety)
Sue AF6LJ
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1042 on: April 07, 2017, 05:27:41 am »
Yah okay where is it.....
You are giving me TEPA (Test Equipment Porn Anxiety)

LOL  :-DD


Here you go , its a Tektronix A6902A Isolator.

Its in pristine condition complete with all probes and it's accessories. The completeness of the probes + accessories is the primary decision to buy it, as they are not normal ordinary scope's probe.

It has two types, a lower voltage ones capable of 500V and HV ones rated at 1500V, both came in pairs.

Hell, even the 2 BNC 50 Ohm patch cables are still the original Tektronix made cables, and the original manual is also included.  :clap:

Quite surprising its still very new, even all probe's tips and hooks don't have nicks or scratches at all  :o, looks like the previous owner never or rarely used it ?  :-// All probes still have the retractable hooks, the common clips and the sharp tip covers.  :-+

One thing for sure, its huge and heavy 6.2 Kg (13.7 lb), attached photo below for size comparison with popular desktop scope. You can see that the whole probe system is bigger and heavier than scope it self.  :scared:

Hopefully I have time to post the teardown soon in this forum.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2017, 05:30:32 am by BravoV »
 
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Offline edpalmer42

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1043 on: April 07, 2017, 05:55:10 am »
We have TEA - no really, the kitchen at work here has been restocked with tea. English Breakfast and Earl Gray.

A post I made about my $20 LCR/transistor tester made me thing we need yet another acronym here, something to do with redundancy. As in, you need at least 2 of everything so that you can validate the readings of one, and ideally a third, like a witness server in a cluster, to be the tiebreaker in case the other two don't agree. Ideally, always an odd number, so 4 is ok but 5 is MUCH better.

 Maybe just RAID - Redundant Array of Instrumentation Devices.

When I'm trying to fix something RAID usually ends up meaning Revolting, Aggravating, Infernal Device!!!
  :rant:  :box: :-BROKE :horse: :palm:
 
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Offline madires

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1044 on: April 07, 2017, 08:33:41 am »
Or maybe Rapid Acquisition of Instrumentation Devices?
 

Offline TiN

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1045 on: April 07, 2017, 11:29:14 am »
I'm hopeless.... Fluke 719  :-//...
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Offline VK5RC

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1046 on: April 07, 2017, 11:46:06 am »
TiN Are you leading a new trend pressure-nuts?
I must admit to have been thinking about a vacuum pump - I 'sort of' would like to make a home-made valve or maybe a Nixie - but looks a bit too steep price and learning curve and too much else going on/unfinished projects.
VK5RC
Whoah! Watch where that landed we might need it later.
 

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1047 on: April 07, 2017, 11:53:35 am »
Yah okay where is it.....
You are giving me TEPA (Test Equipment Porn Anxiety)

LOL  :-DD


Here you go , its a Tektronix A6902A Isolator.

Its in pristine condition complete with all probes and it's accessories. The completeness of the probes + accessories is the primary decision to buy it, as they are not normal ordinary scope's probe.

It has two types, a lower voltage ones capable of 500V and HV ones rated at 1500V, both came in pairs.

Hell, even the 2 BNC 50 Ohm patch cables are still the original Tektronix made cables, and the original manual is also included.  :clap:

Quite surprising its still very new, even all probe's tips and hooks don't have nicks or scratches at all  :o, looks like the previous owner never or rarely used it ?  :-// All probes still have the retractable hooks, the common clips and the sharp tip covers.  :-+

One thing for sure, its huge and heavy 6.2 Kg (13.7 lb), attached photo below for size comparison with popular desktop scope. You can see that the whole probe system is bigger and heavier than scope it self.  :scared:

Hopefully I have time to post the teardown soon in this forum.
Very Nice.
It's good to see this stuff go to where it will be appreciated and used.  :-+ :-+ :-+
Sue AF6LJ
 
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Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1048 on: April 07, 2017, 12:57:34 pm »
Right, so I spent some money at the Contained Store and re-did the lower shelf with deeper shelving. I was able to get the new 5316B on the shelf along with what I already had. TEST has been satisfied - for the time being.

Funny thing is though, I seem to have created more slots.  :o

Now I have to fill them up!  :palm:
I told my friends I could teach them to be funny, but they all just laughed at me.
 
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Online Brumby

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #1049 on: April 07, 2017, 01:29:15 pm »
Funny thing is though, I seem to have created more slots.  :o

Now I have to fill them up!  :palm:

A classic case of ESD.

Just embrace it.
 


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