Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Specmaster]

Nothing like the sound of a Huey coming at you. 

Well, perhaps a bunch of them are better. 

@med, there's something wrong with your link, its not working.

Really? Working fine here. Anyone else having a problem?

Edit, maybe it's country restricted?

I don't think its country restricted since I can actually find that self same video on YouTube and watch here in the UK?

[Specmaster]

Can everyone see this clip OK?



EDIT: Yes I think you're right, I just noticed that the HD version is not working in the UK.

[0culus]

Sometimes youtube gets weird about embeds. It blocks the embed from playing, but the same video on youtube dot com is fine. 

[VK5RC]

Housedad - thanks for the find - I forgot about those guys - a great old TEA resource.
Thanks others for the comments - I must be getting stronger (underestimating its weight) - TEA weight training! HeHe!
I will have a go at grinding down a USA cable 1st, with a layer of heatshrink and a ground clip for added measure. Currently about 1M ohm between either mains leads and the chassis.
Rob

[mnementh]

Rob:  I checked out Surplus Sales of Nebraska and they have a socket that looks like the same on that RF generator and they might have a plug to fit.  Give them a call.

Here is the web page:
https://www.surplussales.com/Electrical/ElecAC-2.html

Not the same receptacle. That's an early non-polarized AC connector for use with double-insulated equipment. It's got the slots centered in the connector, and is approx 30mm diameter. Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, the socket on his generator is approx 20mm with the blades offset from center. This is a polarized connector.

mnem
 

[VK5RC]

Mnem... It's hard to know without a 1955 twin lead only usa cable mount socket - the surplus sales socket will need a bit of bodge-ing - it looks too big as is but it is closer than I have at present.

[Cubdriver]

Mnem... It's hard to know without a 1955 twin lead only usa cable mount socket - the surplus sales socket will need a bit of bodge-ing - it looks too big as is but it is closer than I have at present.

Hi Rob - I just looked at mine in hopes of providing some insight.  I can't - they have fixed power cords with bog standard strain reliefs.  If it could be fitted without too much filing and hacking, if I were in your shoes I'd put in a regular IEC C14 mains connector.

-Pat

[BravoV]

Feel like in the medieval period. 


... as I just scored this little red sharp pointy thingy, a Fluke 80K-40 HV probe. 

Nice Probulator! Here's your Probulation Nation membership card, and complimentary box of rubber gloves. 

mnem
Would you like flies widdat?

LOL, thanks and no thanks. The blame .. err.. honor should goes to beanflying, as he is the one who dragged me into this started by his diy probulator. 

[beanflying]

Feel like in the medieval period. 


... as I just scored this little red sharp pointy thingy, a Fluke 80K-40 HV probe. 

Nice Probulator! Here's your Probulation Nation membership card, and complimentary box of rubber gloves. 

mnem
Would you like flies widdat?

LOL, thanks and no thanks. The blame .. err.. honor should goes to beanflying, as he is the one who dragged me into this started by his diy probulator. 

Don't blame me for your GAS problem - Own it 

[beanflying]

2 minute teardown

Airflow Instrumentation LCA6000 Airflow meter.

Socketed IC's  Hand soldered board complete with flux residue splattered everywhere. Seems to have been my week for disintegrated foam  Very little inside of real note other than it has a coarse and fine trimpot for Calibration should I ever find myself near a known source. Gentle exhale 200mm away from the vanes spins them up easily.

PP3 clip in battery holder going on the printer soon to be held down by the thoughtfully provided LCD screws.

Worth everyone of it's $5 AUpesos.

[mnementh]

Mnem... It's hard to know without a 1955 twin lead only usa cable mount socket - the surplus sales socket will need a bit of bodge-ing - it looks too big as is but it is closer than I have at present.

    

Well, it's easy enough in person to measure the diameter of the socket in your front panel, and while you're there with a straightedge, determine if the blades are centered in the cavity or offset. If it's ~20mm and the blades are offset from center, then you pretty much need a US AC extension cord like the one on the left. This you can easily carve down to fit safely in pretty much any socket of this type, BTW.

Alternately, you may be able to find one of these SJO 2-Wire NEMA 1-15P Power Tool Quick Lock Cords. IIRC, the twist-lock is easily cut off leaving a 2-wire socket pretty much perfect for this. Back in the day, canister vacuum cleaners had a cord with a similar rectangular molded rubber end that was approximately 1/8" larger than the two blade sockets themselves. They outlawed these ages ago, though.

Looking at that one from Surplus Sales, I expect that unless it fits correctly exactly the way it comes, you're not going to be able to grind it down without destroying it as a connector due to the way they assemble.

Good hunting,

mnem
*toddling off to ded*

[mnementh]

Feel like in the medieval period. 


... as I just scored this little red sharp pointy thingy, a Fluke 80K-40 HV probe. 

Nice Probulator! Here's your Probulation Nation membership card, and complimentary box of rubber gloves. 

mnem
Would you like flies widdat?

LOL, thanks and no thanks. The blame .. err.. honor should goes to beanflying, as he is the one who dragged me into this started by his diy probulator. 

Don't blame me for your GAS problem - Own it 

https://youtu.be/FdghRwWfaOQ

mnem
 

[mnementh]

2 minute teardown

Airflow Instrumentation LCA6000 Airflow meter.

Socketed IC's  Hand soldered board complete with flux residue splattered everywhere. Seems to have been my week for disintegrated foam  Very little inside of real note other than it has a coarse and fine trimpot for Calibration should I ever find myself near a known source. Gentle exhale 200mm away from the vanes spins them up easily.

PP3 clip in battery holder going on the printer soon to be held down by the thoughtfully provided LCD screws.

Worth everyone of it's $5 AUpesos.

Definitely looks much better made than my MasTech from Shenzhen. I'd have jumped on it. Hope your seller isn't too butthurt.

mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a clock mallet*

[beanflying]

2 minute teardown

Airflow Instrumentation LCA6000 Airflow meter.

Socketed IC's  Hand soldered board complete with flux residue splattered everywhere. Seems to have been my week for disintegrated foam  Very little inside of real note other than it has a coarse and fine trimpot for Calibration should I ever find myself near a known source. Gentle exhale 200mm away from the vanes spins them up easily.

PP3 clip in battery holder going on the printer soon to be held down by the thoughtfully provided LCD screws.

Worth everyone of it's $5 AUpesos.

Definitely looks much better made than my MasTech from Shenzhen. I'd have jumped on it. Hope your seller isn't too butthurt.

mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a clock mallet*

I didn't tempt fate and send them a message but I got this from them after the purchase anyway

Hello, thank you for your purchase! I will get your item on the way shortly.
Kind regards,
Xxxxxxxx

3DP platform sorted, chances of the metal case on a battery now shorting a track Zero. What's even better zero slop to the lid so no rattles 

[0culus]

Here's an off the wall question for the TEA crowd: what's your favorite nonconductive adjustment/alignment tool(s)? I'm looking for some that don't end up twisting and breaking like the plastic ones I have.

[grizewald]

Here's an off the wall question for the TEA crowd: what's your favorite nonconductive adjustment/alignment tool(s)? I'm looking for some that don't end up twisting and breaking like the plastic ones I have.

You should be able to find these for a relatively small amount of money on eBay:



Search for "ceramic screwdrivers". Being ceramic, dropping them on a hard floor is not advised!

[tggzzz]

Here's an off the wall question for the TEA crowd: what's your favorite nonconductive adjustment/alignment tool(s)? I'm looking for some that don't end up twisting and breaking like the plastic ones I have.

I've had one break recently too OTOH my one from RS hasn't broken But is it still available after 35 years?

[bd139]

I use a bourns twizzle stick. It’s got a metal blade and I just live with that fact.

[Specmaster]

Ceramic ones off ebay are good.


Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[VK5RC]

Mnem... It's hard to know without a 1955 twin lead only usa cable mount socket - the surplus sales socket will need a bit of bodge-ing - it looks too big as is but it is closer than I have at present.

Hi Rob - I just looked at mine in hopes of providing some insight.  I can't - they have fixed power cords with bog standard strain reliefs.  If it could be fitted without too much filing and hacking, if I were in your shoes I'd put in a regular IEC C14 mains connector.

-Pat

Thanks guys, the internal diameter is 25mm, the male connectors are 12.5mm apart from each other and centred in the hole, they are equal size at 6.3mm, ie all non metric. Is this is the old USA standard? (it was made in 1955).
 I think I have found an iec chassis 'plug'  that will fit with minimal /no panel work - if not, I will try either a cord bodge or a mock replacement mini-panel with a fixed cord - strain relief etc.
I will have to wait for bits to turn up in the antipodes!
-Rob

[factory]

Mnem... It's hard to know without a 1955 twin lead only usa cable mount socket - the surplus sales socket will need a bit of bodge-ing - it looks too big as is but it is closer than I have at present.

Hi Rob - I just looked at mine in hopes of providing some insight.  I can't - they have fixed power cords with bog standard strain reliefs.  If it could be fitted without too much filing and hacking, if I were in your shoes I'd put in a regular IEC C14 mains connector.

-Pat

Thanks guys, the internal diameter is 25mm, the male connectors are 12.5mm apart from each other and centred in the hole, they are equal size at 6.3mm, ie all non metric. Is this is the old USA standard? (it was made in 1955).
 I think I have found an iec chassis 'plug'  that will fit with minimal /no panel work - if not, I will try either a cord bodge or a mock replacement mini-panel with a fixed cord - strain relief etc.
I will have to wait for bits to turn up in the antipodes!
-Rob

It looks a lot like the connector in pictures 5&6 would fit, on this useful site for old electrical fittings;
https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm2.html

And why didn't you measure it in inches, I have checked a modern US cord I have here and the blades of the plug are 1/2 inch apart (12.7mm) & 1/4 inch wide (6.35mm).

Homepage for the plug socket museum website:
https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/Overview.html

David

[BU508A]

TEA time: just stumbled over it in the bay:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143241006412

And for entertainment reasons, a picture:

[grizewald]

Only 10000 EUR!

[PA0PBZ]

Only 10000 EUR!

Plus yearly calibration? 

[factory]

Volex did still make both the normal and reversed polarity cords some years ago. And to confuse matters they is a slightly smaller version too (I have a calculator with one). Do you have any more details on the actual standard for the connector type, the Volex data-sheet from 2007 just refers to the connector as being type PH163 and an Alpha data-sheet doesn't even mention the type.

Volex 17952 8 B1 (non-standard polarization).   
   
Volex 17280 8 B1 (standard polarization).   


David

Honestly, no. What you've located there is more details than anything I've seen since my high-school days. We ordered replacement cords from a Scholastic A/V supplier who would accept POs, so really didn't have anything but a catalog with a photo like the one below and their part number next to it. We had a catalog-handbook of all sorts of power cords with tech drawings like that in it, but that reference was from the dept head's personal collection. That was where I learned the difference between IEC, UL-Approved vs Non, NEMA, etc. standardized power cords & receptacles; you could usually find them listed by that type and current capacity in the catalogs of the time.

And I'll be honest, most of the terminology I'm using here is from memory; things have changed and I'm sure most of the memory cells that info is stored on are far beyond their best-by date.

mnem
 

Apparently I permanently borrowed that Volex data-sheet in 2011, the source was the Newark listing for that cord, unfortunately Newark used a link from the Volex website which has since been disconnected. 

Alpha also made the cord with the PH163 connector, type 543 is the standard polarization & type 544 is the non-standard polarization. This doesn't help much either as they also seem to have stopped making them. 

I've done a bit more digging and have found a pdf for the discontinued Alpha 543 cord on the Allied Electronics site, which also gives the connector type as PH-163;
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/alpha-wire/543-bk078/70125977/
I have added the pdf here in case it also becomes a dead link.

David