Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Cubdriver]

That Kepco is really a nice piece of gear! Didn't know it before.

I have avoided stringently to look at this thread until now. The title sounded like people trying to discourage each other from aquiring T&M gear. But suddenly I feel relieved. My Heinzinger and Oltronix power supplies and my 30something multimeters feel right at home.

   Yeah, this place is more like open bar at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but for test gear addicts. 

Welcome to the club!     

-Pat

[Neomys Sapiens]

   Yeah, this place is more like open bar at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but for test gear addicts. 

Welcome to the club!     

-Pat

Do you have an idea what it means to have developed a severe addiction to BELZER tools? (The original ones, not that diluted Sandvik stuff)

When I show someone my TOE (Tool and Gear list), they usually comment like 'I did not know that you have such a big enterprise'.

And don't get me started on adaptors! Whenever I think that I am finally covered, those devils in the RF connector industry invent some new series (like QMA, 4.3-10, ...). And AGAIN you spend horrendous sums just to get some gender changers, a tee and conversions to at least ONE standard series!

[mnementh]

I have a disturbing Wiha and Lindström habit... also a well-known soldering gear fetish. You should feel right at home!


mnem
Yesss... my preciousssss...

[schenkzoola]

I'm afraid I'm getting an addiction to repairing Keithley DMM's. (in my case so far, just recapping and firmware upgrades, without any other issues)  First a 2015, then a 2000, just now a 2001.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keithley-2001-Multimeter/272977529578

Where will it end?

mnementh, I completely agree with the Wiha habit.  It raises my hackles when somebody wants to borrow a Philips at work and picks up my PZ2.

[bitseeker]

I have avoided stringently to look at this thread until now. The title sounded like people trying to discourage each other from aquiring T&M gear. But suddenly I feel relieved. My Heinzinger and Oltronix power supplies and my 30something multimeters feel right at home.

Welcome, Neomys. Yes, the thread title sounds clinical, but that's just because the occupants are clinically past all hope. It also keeps away the posers.

I'm afraid I'm getting an addiction to repairing Keithley DMM's. (in my case so far, just recapping and firmware upgrades, without any other issues)  First a 2015, then a 2000, just now a 2001.

Excellent! Welcome aboard, schenkzoola. I've got a 2700 that's running nicely, but should probably be recapped given that it's a close relative of the 2000.

Where will it end?

Over there. Way over there. You see that telescope? Yeah, it won't help. It's way out there. Best not to think about it. Go get yourself a 2002. Don't worry, you'll feel better.

[Vgkid]

@ cubdriver , here's all that I have.

[mnementh]

I'm afraid I'm getting an addiction to repairing Keithley DMM's. (in my case so far, just recapping and firmware upgrades, without any other issues)  First a 2015, then a 2000, just now a 2001.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keithley-2001-Multimeter/272977529578

Where will it end?

mnementh, I completely agree with the Wiha habit.  It raises my hackles when somebody wants to borrow a Philips at work and picks up my PZ2.

I threatened a coworker with bodily harm once when he reached for my JIS2 saying "Can I borrow this, I just broke mine trying to break this screw loose." I told him it wouldn't fit the Philips screws on his crusty old drill (a lie, but I was protecting my investment and the assache of getting it warrantied) but it would fit nicely in a certain part of his anatomy, which it would shortly explore if he didn't back off immediately.

In my defense, he was well-known as a fellow who could bust a anvil, and I was 2 hours overdue for lunch. 

I have avoided stringently to look at this thread until now. The title sounded like people trying to discourage each other from aquiring T&M gear. But suddenly I feel relieved. My Heinzinger and Oltronix power supplies and my 30something multimeters feel right at home.

Welcome, Neomys. Yes, the thread title sounds clinical, but that's just because the occupants are clinically past all hope. It also keeps away the posers.

I'm afraid I'm getting an addiction to repairing Keithley DMM's. (in my case so far, just recapping and firmware upgrades, without any other issues)  First a 2015, then a 2000, just now a 2001.

Excellent! Welcome aboard, schenkzoola. I've got a 2700 that's running nicely, but should probably be recapped given that it's a close relative of the 2000.

Where will it end?

Over there. Way over there. You see that telescope? Yeah, it won't help. It's way out there. Best not to think about it. Go get yourself a 2002. Don't worry, you'll feel better.

You're all screwed; no wait... You're all so far beyond screwed that the light from merely screwed will take a thousand years to reach you. I, on the other hand, am perfectly fine. 


mnem
No you don't.

[URI]

That Kepco is really a nice piece of gear! Didn't know it before.

I have avoided stringently to look at this thread until now. The title sounded like people trying to discourage each other from aquiring T&M gear. But suddenly I feel relieved. My Heinzinger and Oltronix power supplies and my 30something multimeters feel right at home.

Welcome Neomys (interesting pseudonym by the way..)!

This thread from my point of view helps one to feel more comfortable or just comfortable with TEA or any other related addiction. Speaking for myself I must state that before joining this thread I had only contact to people considering my TEA strange or something even worse. After joining this thread I now rely on feedback from this thread that is positively biased in this field. And that gives me clearly an feeling of well being instead of hiding my TEA to not being looked at as an alien or something. 

So, this thread has indeed therapeutic effects. Depends on the viewing angle. 

This thread can make you feel comfortable with acquiring even more gear. Isn't that great? 

I just bought my second HP 3437A even though my first one is working well and I even can not use/test it because mouser hasn't delivered the triaxial connectors and cable yet I ordered in sept. this year. 
I acquired my second 3437A because it has a high serial # and I read the notes on the changes for the 3437A.. I know that the 3437A is also good as a parts spender (especially the switches) so I don't bother having two of them. 
Before joining this thread I would have felt uncomfortable with it...

[beanflying]

Suppose I had better chase up manuals, circuit diagrams and such for a HP 5381A  counter 

Lucky I have a couple of nice German Polytron OCXO oscillators 'laying around' to install. This is WHY WE BUY STUFF just in case

[Cubdriver]

Suppose I had better chase up manuals, circuit diagrams and such for a HP 5381A  counter 

Lucky I have a couple of nice German Polytron OCXO oscillators 'laying around' to install. This is WHY WE BUY STUFF just in case

 

It is much better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

-Pat

[Berni]

I'm afraid I'm getting an addiction to repairing Keithley DMM's. (in my case so far, just recapping and firmware upgrades, without any other issues)  First a 2015, then a 2000, just now a 2001.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keithley-2001-Multimeter/272977529578

Where will it end?

mnementh, I completely agree with the Wiha habit.  It raises my hackles when somebody wants to borrow a Philips at work and picks up my PZ2.

Don't worry just give in to the Keithley desire, many already have.

But really they are sweet DMMs. From all the multimeters i reach for my Keithley 2015 the most.

[capt bullshot]

The thing has 12x massive heat sinks on the back and is driven by 24x big ass TO-3’s. Has 12 huge 9 inch long RS branded electrolytic cans in it and two massive transformers.

Looks ugly as sin and unfinished and will most likely kill whoever dares plug it in (inlet side scares me) but at some point circa 1988 it did actually work for a couple of years. Had some hum problems as we if I remember.

Not exactly an audio amp, but a beast too: http://wunderkis.de/pwramp3/index.html / https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/building-a-power-amp-from-vintage-components/msg1193630/#msg1193630
Build this for the same reason - just because I had the parts and for the challenge ...

[Mr. Scram]

Definitely. Their recent (circa 1997 onwards) power supplies are really nice bits of kit. Also function generators are spot on.

We're talking HP quality and performance at half the cost.

I think they could improve the looks of the devices, though. Even though it's test equipment, it's still humans buying the stuff. The devices can sometimes look a bit cheapish and plasticy, which can detract a bit from the feel that it's top quality precision instruments.

I know that some people are now going to vehemently object to this

[Specmaster]

Definitely. Their recent (circa 1997 onwards) power supplies are really nice bits of kit. Also function generators are spot on.

We're talking HP quality and performance at half the cost.

I think they could improve the looks of the devices, though. Even though it's test equipment, it's still humans buying the stuff. The devices can sometimes look a bit cheapish and plasticy, which can detract a bit from the feel that it's top quality precision instruments.

I know that some people are now going to vehemently object to this

I think the first thing they should do is to update the display, I don't think unlit LCD cuts it anymore. How many workshops have really good lighting levels behind you? Most of them have task lighting above the bench which if your test gear is on the bench means trouble reading the displays. [emoji21]

[bd139]

LCDs are fine in your average lab. In fact the newer ones are pretty good.  Problem is in dingy home offices which we own.

As for the enclosures, I agree. However one advantage is that you can second source spare parts. RS used to sell all the knobs for example.

[Mr. Scram]

I think the first thing they should do is to update the display, I don't think unlit LCD cuts it anymore. How many workshops have really good lighting levels behind you? Most of them have task lighting above the bench which if your test gear is on the bench means trouble reading the displays. [emoji21]

LCD displays are cheap, super low power, robust and have great longevity. I don't know where you'd want to go, but most other technologies are far inferior. I know those TFT screens look sweet and sexy, but you can bet they won't last as long as LCD or LED displays.

I've actually intentionally looked for LCD or LED displays for most my devices. VFD is good too and looks amazing, though it's more susceptible to wear.

[Specmaster]

I think the first thing they should do is to update the display, I don't think unlit LCD cuts it anymore. How many workshops have really good lighting levels behind you? Most of them have task lighting above the bench which if your test gear is on the bench means trouble reading the displays. [emoji21]

LCD displays are cheap, super low power, robust and have great longevity. I don't know where you'd want to go, but most other technologies are far inferior. I know those TFT screens look sweet and sexy, but you can bet they won't last as long as LCD or LED displays.

I've actually intentionally looked for LCD or LED displays for most my devices. VFD is good too and looks amazing, though it's more susceptible to wear.

No you got me wrong, LCD's are fine as long as they are designed in such a way that they are lit screens, or LEDs. Most of my equipment is either LCD with back lights or LED's

[neo]

I think the first thing they should do is to update the display, I don't think unlit LCD cuts it anymore. How many workshops have really good lighting levels behind you? Most of them have task lighting above the bench which if your test gear is on the bench means trouble reading the displays. [emoji21]

LCD displays are cheap, super low power, robust and have great longevity. I don't know where you'd want to go, but most other technologies are far inferior. I know those TFT screens look sweet and sexy, but you can bet they won't last as long as LCD or LED displays.

I've actually intentionally looked for LCD or LED displays for most my devices. VFD is good too and looks amazing, though it's more susceptible to wear.

No you got me wrong, LCD's are fine as long as they are designed in such a way that they are lit screens, or LEDs. Most of my equipment is either LCD with back lights or LED's

LCDs have their place i will admit. Be nice if they brought back nixies, BUT nixies are long since dead so maybe if they just at least had LEDs as an option on newer equipment that'd be nice.

Of course i can't afford newer equipment yet, so what right have i to complain? 

[Mr. Scram]

LCDs have their place i will admit. Be nice if they brought back nixies or at least, BUT nixies are long since dead so maybe if they just had LEDs as an option on newer equipment.

Of course i can't afford newer equipment yet, so what right have i to complain? 

Nixies are beautiful, but horrible as a display technology. They aren't the clearest and require complicated an outright dangerous driving to work properly. They also consume power like there's no tommorow.

Newer equipment doesn't have to be very expensive though. You can collect like new modern tools worth thousands of dollars for a fraction of the cost.

[neo]

LCDs have their place i will admit. Be nice if they brought back nixies, BUT nixies are long since dead so maybe if they just at least had LEDs as an option on newer equipment that'd be nice.

Of course i can't afford newer equipment yet, so what right have i to complain? 

Nixies are beautiful, but horrible as a display technology. They aren't the clearest and require complicated an outright dangerous driving to work properly. They also consume power like there's no tommorow.

Newer equipment doesn't have to be very expensive though. You can collect like new modern tools worth thousands of dollars for a fraction of the cost.

How? It doesn't involve bank robbery or things falling off trucks does it?

Also i seem to be one of the only ones who find nixie tubes as easy to read, if not easier, as LEDs.

[bd139]

Nixies make my eyes go funny. It's the difference in depth between the digits that kills me.

As for falling off the back of a lorry, my formula for buying new kit is: fix something which is FUBAR'ed and BER and laughably broken, then sell it for vast profit, then use that profit to buy new toys. Hence the constant throughput of test gear, plus I get to play with it as it goes through.

If I had the space to keep it, I'd be broke

[neo]

When it comes to the depth, i have developed a theory, its a bit nuts. What if some part of some of our brains react differently to it than others?
A heightened sense of vertigo perhaps, or maybe something else gone screwy in a select few. The counter to that being people like me, who if they even notice the depth they just as quickly forget it.

[Berni]

Yeah nixies are not actually that great of a display when it comes to usability, lots of other display technologies are easier to read.

I think 7 segment LED displays are the kings. They make the best readable numbers while being cheap, power efficient and easy to drive. But when it comes to displaying letters too i think VFD is the best.

I know VFDs have a bad rep for burnin but the thing is its not usually that bad and they turn out to be pretty reliable.

[Mr. Scram]

How? It doesn't involve bank robbery or things falling off trucks does it?

Also i seem to be one of the only ones who find nixie tubes as easy to read, if not easier, as LEDs.

No. It takes a bit of time and patience and the willingness to lose more a lot more bids than you win. Obviously, going the bd139 route is viable too.

[bd139]

There are some stupid good priced buy it now's occasionally as well. Don't rely on auctions.

I have actually written scraping scripts etc which find things for me