Author Topic: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread  (Read 14550377 times)

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Offline grizewald

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19550 on: November 12, 2018, 04:50:33 pm »
My preference is for xC on the XMOS xCORE processors: they are the modern incarnation of Occam/Transputers (up to 32 cores and 4000MIPS), with "fpga-like" IO and an IDE that guarantees cycle-accurate timings. Yes, you can capture 100Mb/s ethernet serial data lines in software :)

When I was doing embedded work, FPGAs and today's DSPs were still the stuff of Sci-Fi! My favourite CPU of that period was the RCA 1802. I thought the design was pure genius with its 16 completely general purpose registers. Want to do a jump? Load any register with where you want to jump to and then make it the program counter! At the time, it was one of the few CMOS CPUs and that made it perfect for the application as it could run on battery power for eons.

I'll take some more pictures of my 7075 as I dismantle it. There seem to be quite a few differences from other 7075s that I've seen. For example, there's no access to the analogue board from the bottom as there's a slotted fibreglass cover under mine, along with a second cover for the three ribbon cables that traverse the chassis from front to back.

I'll just have to rig up some decent lighting to take photos under. Daylight is a weak and fleeting phenomenon up here at this time of year.  ::)
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Online tggzzz

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19551 on: November 12, 2018, 04:57:24 pm »
My preference is for xC on the XMOS xCORE processors: they are the modern incarnation of Occam/Transputers (up to 32 cores and 4000MIPS), with "fpga-like" IO and an IDE that guarantees cycle-accurate timings. Yes, you can capture 100Mb/s ethernet serial data lines in software :)

When I was doing embedded work, FPGAs and today's DSPs were still the stuff of Sci-Fi! My favourite CPU of that period was the RCA 1802. I thought the design was pure genius with its 16 completely general purpose registers. Want to do a jump? Load any register with where you want to jump to and then make it the program counter! At the time, it was one of the few CMOS CPUs and that made it perfect for the application as it could run on battery power for eons.

Back in '77 I read and re-read the datasheets for the 8080, 1802, and 6800. I very nearly built my first computer based on the 1802, but chose the 6800 instead.

Quote
I'll take some more pictures of my 7075 as I dismantle it. There seem to be quite a few differences from other 7075s that I've seen. For example, there's no access to the analogue board from the bottom as there's a slotted fibreglass cover under mine, along with a second cover for the three ribbon cables that traverse the chassis from front to back.

All of mine are like that. IIRC those ribbon cables are irrelevant and can be removed unless you are using the rear-panel 50-way cannon D connector. Makes fault-finding easier.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
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Online tggzzz

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19552 on: November 12, 2018, 05:04:58 pm »
Now to start stripping the entire meter down. There's certainly more than just the display that's FUBAR as the self test gave all zero on every test. Hopefully it's just the connection between the display logic and the rest of the meter. Until I've got all the boards out though it's hard to tell.

Check all power supplies, of course. Recapping the floating SMPS is relatively easy.

You can check the +ve and -ve ref voltages (roughly 7V not necessarily identical!) on PCB 6 even though the ref is on PCB 5. Getting those two remated is a pain due to the completely hidden finger connector on the RHS looking from the front.

Beyond that, consider starting a topic in the Repair section, so other people can find this information.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
Glider pilot's aphorism: "there is no substitute for span". Retort: "There is a substitute: skill+imagination. But you can buy span".
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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19553 on: November 12, 2018, 10:16:44 pm »
Congrats on the HP, but you've a long way to go yet before you Chinese free in your lab totally. What about all your power blocks, LEDS, etc etc.

Haha, like to be a fly on your wall now watching you getting a groove on [emoji6]

Only test gear. They're still a few years behind there. Ancillary stuff is fine. Hell I'm typing this on a major Chinese brand laptop (Lenovo).

Just did the capacitors on the 8010A as well as a precaution thanks to my RS delivery today. All good now and no worries. The thing is perfect. Very happy.

Talking of Chinese stuff, look what Mr Postman brought today from Banggood. Much woot:

 

Offline Specmaster

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19554 on: November 12, 2018, 10:28:41 pm »
That's your drone frame? what is it carbon fibre?
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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19555 on: November 12, 2018, 10:33:15 pm »
Yes indeed. £13. Can't moan at that! Was paying more than that for smaller CF parts only on RC cars 20 years ago.
 

Offline mnementh

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19556 on: November 12, 2018, 11:03:29 pm »
Yeah, that's the TWE210 from the $99 racing quad video. BG has hundreds of CF quadcopter frames; it's pretty much the standard of the industry nowadays as nothing else holds up like CNC cut 4-6mm plate.

On unibody frames like that one, you'll want to make sure you use a FC that mounts in rubber grommets like the RaceFlight Revolt or the Helio Spring; unibody frames have a higher resonant frequency, and you simply NEED the damping to keep the HF noise from making the gyro flip out. Sandwich frames tend to abosrb noise more, so are not as sensitive, but they still fly better with soft mounting.

Have fun!

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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19557 on: November 12, 2018, 11:12:19 pm »
It's amazing quality to be honest.

The cheap F4 controller I have just ordered has rubber gromets  :-+ ... This might take a few months to sneak into the house  :-DD
 

Offline mnementh

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19558 on: November 12, 2018, 11:16:21 pm »
It's not that one you have to worry about... it's the TX and goggles. $250-400 each depending on the flavor you choose for anything race-quality.

Before you ask... I use Headplay HD facebox, I can't stand the narrow FOV of most goggles as I have trouble focusing on it. Most racers however, prefer the highest-resolution Fatshark or SkyZone goggles they can afford.

I fly FRSky Taranis X9D+ with hall-effect gimbals; however my next TX will probably be a Horus X10S, also hall-effect. I puttered around with the "new" Spektrum protocol because it's supposedly faster, but you give up too much for the Spek brand. Fuck those dickwads.

mnem
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« Last Edit: November 12, 2018, 11:22:20 pm by mnementh »
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Offline Specmaster

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19559 on: November 12, 2018, 11:18:49 pm »
Pretend it's an Amazon drone that your testing for them before they start drone deliveries, that ought to do it. :-DD
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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19560 on: November 12, 2018, 11:38:49 pm »
LOL at amazon idea. Tempting. The idea is to play the exponential investment curve which is "I've got this far; it would be a waste to stop now"  :-DD This is what happened with amateur radio kit for me (and test gear several times).

Also mini unrelated rant: amateur radio is dead to me now (that lasted long!). Spent 20 minutes on the Sunday night local 2m net. What put me off? Well when it comes to being 5th and the 4 people before you basically suggest the world is coming to an end if we don't brexit double time and get rid of all the "foreign and funny coloured scum", then I'm done. Thought I'd hit CW for a bit and walked into someone equally unpleasant. So screw that and FT8 and that requires no skill or brain power other than knowing what to click and similar to the day job some days (it's about as much fun as JIRA!). So basically it's just unpleasant or boring.

I'll still play with radio and related test gear but only for the sake of technical interest. I'll be at both ends of the channel then. License will not be wasted.

Honestly this forum and particularly this thread, despite going off the rails ocasionally (don't we all), is a very pleasant place to be with lots of interesting stuff :-+



Back entirely to TEA now. I've just replaced the main filter cap in the 8012A now as well as the other day I only had a Jack-con one floating around and it looked a bit dodgy. Nice Panasonic M series in both meters exclusively now. Current goto electrolytic capacitors now (bar some bigger vishay axial ones).
 

Offline neo

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19561 on: November 13, 2018, 12:10:54 am »
If it slips around over everything, it’s a problem. This is why it’s really annoying when you get something of HP/Agilent brethren where the feet or bumpers are missing. When you press a button it slides away.

I solve that problem zip ties, ratchet straps or very rarely duct tape. Works quite well for me.
A hopeless addict (and slave) to TEA and a firm believer that high frequency is little more than modern hoodoo.
 

Offline Specmaster

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19562 on: November 13, 2018, 12:13:07 am »
Like, you I've had enough of this blasted Brexit, it needs to be kicked into touch or pushed over a cliff, its mental to go through with it now all the truth has come out about how we were lied to before, by all the parties. I think we ought to ditch the career politicians and instead go for some that have had real work experience and all ministers should be people who have experience in their fields, i.e. put a teacher in charge of Educational matters.

I totally agree about the forum, and especially the TEA section, some very interesting things on here and some first rate people to boot. I'm on a few other forums as well and they are by comparison, stuffed shirts and don't seem to be particularly friendly towards new members either whereas here we welcome new members into the fold with open arms  :-+

Sorted out that Aiwa shelf stereo unit, its working a new one now, getting another tomorrow  :palm: this audio stuff is just as addictive as TEA :-DD
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 12:18:36 am by Specmaster »
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Offline neo

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19563 on: November 13, 2018, 12:24:53 am »
Like, you I've had enough of this blasted Brexit, it needs to be kicked into touch or pushed over a cliff, its mental to go through with it now all the truth has come out about how we were lied to before, by all the parties. I think we ought to ditch the career politicians and instead go for some that have had real work experience and all ministers should be people who have experience in their fields, i.e. put a teacher in charge of Educational matters.

I totally agree about the forum, and especially the TEA section, some very interesting things on here and some first rate people to boot. I'm on a few other forums as well and they are by comparison, stuffed shirts and don't seem to be particularly friendly towards new members either whereas here we welcome new members into the fold with open arms  :-+

Sorted out that Aiwa shelf stereo unit, its working a new one now, getting another tomorrow  :palm: this audio stuff is just as addictive as TEA :-DD

Tell me about it, i started out with a 10 dollar stereo at a yardsale and now i have; a 300cd player, a 25 cd player, a 5 cd player, dual tape deck, single tape deck and three separate amplifiers.... just in my lab. I have another 5 cd player sdomewhere as well as the original stereo and more speakers than i can reasonably count.
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Offline Specmaster

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19564 on: November 13, 2018, 12:28:51 am »
Like, you I've had enough of this blasted Brexit, it needs to be kicked into touch or pushed over a cliff, its mental to go through with it now all the truth has come out about how we were lied to before, by all the parties. I think we ought to ditch the career politicians and instead go for some that have had real work experience and all ministers should be people who have experience in their fields, i.e. put a teacher in charge of Educational matters.

I totally agree about the forum, and especially the TEA section, some very interesting things on here and some first rate people to boot. I'm on a few other forums as well and they are by comparison, stuffed shirts and don't seem to be particularly friendly towards new members either whereas here we welcome new members into the fold with open arms  :-+

Sorted out that Aiwa shelf stereo unit, its working a new one now, getting another tomorrow  :palm: this audio stuff is just as addictive as TEA :-DD

Tell me about it, i started out with a 10 dollar stereo at a yardsale and now i have; a 300cd player, a 25 cd player, a 5 cd player, dual tape deck, single tape deck and three separate amplifiers.... just in my lab. I have another 5 cd player sdomewhere as well as the original stereo and more speakers than i can reasonably count.
That's not a 300CD player, its a Jukebox  :-DD
Who let Murphy in?

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Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19565 on: November 13, 2018, 12:31:37 am »
I have in the past removed feet in situations where one was broken or missing and used the gear without feet. Is a missing foot really that much of deal breaker? It's often far easier to find feet that will do the job then it is finding a meter in good condition.

One word: PFC. :-DD

(Yeah, it's an acronym, not a word.)
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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19566 on: November 13, 2018, 12:35:35 am »
I have serious PFC  :scared:
 

Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19567 on: November 13, 2018, 12:36:29 am »
Just snagged a new toy. HP AWG. Lower spec than my Rigol unit but it has some killer features: (1) fully floating output (this is the killer feature really) (2) service manual with schematic (3) keysight still sell bits for it and (4) HP logo 

33120 ?

Yep. Stilll the best user interface as well.

You foiled my HP stack master plan  :-DD

34401A is on the shopping list already.

Nice! It does stack well with many HP instruments of that vintage. Did you get it with Option 001 for the TCXO and external clock input?
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Offline bd139

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19568 on: November 13, 2018, 12:42:28 am »
I don’t know if it’s got option 001 or not yet (no rear view in listing) but I know a supplier who has the board and cable assembly for it  :-+

Plan was to see if any of the older HP GPSDO in same form factor are still viable and bus one of them and a suitable counter to it.

Evil master plan has been running a while now :)

(Also need an E3631A  :-DD)
 

Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19569 on: November 13, 2018, 12:43:55 am »
I totally agree about the forum, and especially the TEA section, some very interesting things on here and some first rate people to boot. I'm on a few other forums as well and they are by comparison, stuffed shirts and don't seem to be particularly friendly towards new members either whereas here we welcome new members into the fold with open arms  :-+

The people are what it's about (and some test equipment). Thanks to everyone for making TEA a good thing to catch and share. :-+

Quote
Sorted out that Aiwa shelf stereo unit, its working a new one now, getting another tomorrow  :palm: this audio stuff is just as addictive as TEA :-DD

I guess you've just started AEA. ;D
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Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19570 on: November 13, 2018, 12:49:31 am »
I don’t know if it’s got option 001 or not yet (no rear view in listing) but I know a supplier who has the board and cable assembly for it  :-+

Plan was to see if any of the older HP GPSDO in same form factor are still viable and bus one of them and a suitable counter to it.

Evil master plan has been running a while now :)

Sounds like a mighty good plan.

Quote
(Also need an E3631A  :-DD)

Indeed. Nice power supplies and prices have been falling over the past couple of years, unlike the 34401A.

My "stack" from that era, thus far:

34401A
34410A
33120A
E3631A
E3648A
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Offline 0culus

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19571 on: November 13, 2018, 01:33:40 am »
Tek 1101 accessory supply came, so now I can power my active probes!
 

Offline xrunner

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19572 on: November 13, 2018, 01:36:57 am »
Tek 1101 accessory supply came, so now I can power my active probes!

That's when they made real power-on lights!  :clap:
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Offline 0culus

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19573 on: November 13, 2018, 01:39:36 am »
Tek 1101 accessory supply came, so now I can power my active probes!

That's when they made real power-on lights!  :clap:

Oh yeah. This little thing is built like a tank too.  :-+
 

Offline bitseekerTopic starter

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Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread
« Reply #19574 on: November 13, 2018, 05:41:11 am »
I don’t know if it’s got option 001 or not yet (no rear view in listing) but I know a supplier who has the board and cable assembly for it  :-+

Note: I just recalled that some 33120 that I've seen don't have outlines on the rear panel for the option 001 BNCs. I haven't seen inside that version, so I don't know if the chassis has the cut outs behind the panel overlay or not. Hopefully, the motherboard isn't any different.
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