Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Wolfgang]

My first law is simply: time is the only currency worth considering.

Probably you are a more wiser man than me.

A good friend of mine died this week at the consequences of a cerebral haemorrhage.
He was an EEVBlog forum member here as well and was around 40 years old.

Only HE knows, how much time you have left. (Except Rincewind)

My condolences. Moral of the story: You can be gone a lot faster than you think. Had a similar episode, but survived with a *lot* of luck. Lession learned: Dont waste time with bullshit. Have enough fun (if it need be, with TEA) !

[Specmaster]

Incoming, hopefully arriving soon is another AVO model 8, Mk5, complete with all leads, manual and also a clamp on amp probe, a bit grubby but it will clean up nicely. Seller is a retired electrical engineer having a clear out to save his son from having it to do when the time comes, in other words a pre SK sale. This will bring my tally of Avo model 8's upto 3. It wont get used all that much, but at the price it would be rude not to and I'm sure that one day these fine lovable meters will escalate in value.

The attached photo is not actual meter, but it is however the same.

I'm still looking for the right one - which I saw offered once but misssed the auction. It is an ex-military Mk8, not the common model. (have ID now, it is a Test Set No. 1 based on the Model8 MkV.)
Had it marked, but got lost over something else. It was in very good condition.

I already have one of those as well, bloody heavy it is in its metal casing as well. I just like the look of the model 8 Mk 5 with all of its controls nicely lined up in 2 rows. To go with my 3 Avo 8's I also have these analogue meters.

[Specmaster]

Eureka, I'm now the proud owner of a calibrated (certainly well enough for the type of work I do), spot on the ohms and DCV and DCI and more than good enough on the AC now. For those on discord yesterday, thats why I was there in spirit if not in body, I was resolving the AC calibration issues and listening at the same time. These issues were all caused by me trying to shortcut the calibration process by only really bothering about the main range that it would be used on, 400V one. I bit the bullet and worked my way up from the lower ranges, resolved the problem. All I have to do now is to replace the caps that the heat gun slightly distorted so it is cosmetically restored back to its former glory internally and the job is a wrap.   

[mnementh]

Just don't overheat your MetCal on those chunky solder points!

mnem
 

[Specmaster]

Just don't overheat your MetCal on those chunky solder points!

mnem
 

LMAO, new caps ordered, just to maintain the cosmetic appearance on the internals 

[beanflying]

I just spotted what for all the world looks like a 87V while closing the hatch on the Dragon capsule. Looks like they they were using it in the ohms range or continuity mode. Maybe some kind of check to ensure the door's sealed and seated properly? Quite curious.



https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive

Clearly they use Harbor Freight meters at Starship development Impressive Kaboom 

[Neomys Sapiens]

Incoming, hopefully arriving soon is another AVO model 8, Mk5, complete with all leads, manual and also a clamp on amp probe, a bit grubby but it will clean up nicely. Seller is a retired electrical engineer having a clear out to save his son from having it to do when the time comes, in other words a pre SK sale. This will bring my tally of Avo model 8's upto 3. It wont get used all that much, but at the price it would be rude not to and I'm sure that one day these fine lovable meters will escalate in value.

The attached photo is not actual meter, but it is however the same.

I'm still looking for the right one - which I saw offered once but misssed the auction. It is an ex-military Mk8, not the common model. (have ID now, it is a Test Set No. 1 based on the Model8 MkV.)
Had it marked, but got lost over something else. It was in very good condition.

I already have one of those as well, bloody heavy it is in its metal casing as well. I just like the look of the model 8 Mk 5 with all of its controls nicely lined up in 2 rows. To go with my 3 Avo 8's I also have these analogue meters.

The guy with the huge AVO collection says otherwise.
(http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/avometersdata.html)

Quote
'A military version 'Test Set No. 1' was essentially identical to the Mk 5 (to 1986) except for the front panel markings shown here:'

[mansaxel]

Yeah, one has to have an Avo.

Are those only your purely electromechanical ones? So, no Unigor 6 or Siemens Multizet A1000 or Philips 2502, or did you not count those here?
And you are leaving out Italy - you must aquire an ICE or Carlo Gavazzi meter then.

No, I've got a really old british one, just DC volts (more of a school demo type) and a wonderful Weston AC meter, marked "Property of IBM" that's got 5 ranges selected by binding posts, and finally a little british Taylor VOM from mid-50s, also UK.  Yes, a Philips would fit, and perhaps another German meter. Italy was unknown to me, of course that's interesting too.

[drussell]

A good friend of mine died this week at the consequences of a cerebral haemorrhage.

My mom died suddenly and unexpectedly a few weeks ago (not Covid related) so I feel your pain.

This just after a good friend dying and my aunt having a stroke, all totally unexpected.  Oh, my....

Everything is a complete disaster here right now.  Keep strong, guys!!   

[URI]

A good friend of mine died this week at the consequences of a cerebral haemorrhage.
He was an EEVBlog forum member here as well and was around 40 years old.

A little late but: My condolences, too, BU.

[drussell]

not sure but from the 70's like me... omg that 50 years??

Indeed.  What day is it today?  Aren't we now closer to to 2070 than 1970?

 

Geez, as a fellow 70's kid, I feel old now... 

Edit: P.S. The interior of that Crew Dragon today looked pretty slick for a spacecraft. 

[oolloo]

Agree on all points most 70s kids are 40-50 , Dragan looked cool and those Orville looking space suits haha, not hard to be cooler than govt atuff,  they never spend money on aesthetic, 

[URI]

A good friend of mine died this week at the consequences of a cerebral haemorrhage.

My mom died suddenly and unexpectedly a few weeks ago (not Covid related) so I feel your pain.

This just after a good friend dying and my aunt having a stroke, all totally unexpected.  Oh, my....

Everything is a complete disaster here right now.  Keep strong, guys!!   

Oh, my! My condolences also to you, drussel!

Reminds one to not waste precious lifetime by procrastinating dreams and wishes..

[cyclin_al]

A good friend of mine died this week at the consequences of a cerebral haemorrhage.
He was an EEVBlog forum member here as well and was around 40 years old.

Only HE knows, how much time you have left. (Except Rincewind)

@BU508A, my condolences also.  I have also seen a few go; the sense of loss is only a measure of how good the good memories were.  Celebrate the friendship and those memories!

[cyclin_al]

My mom died suddenly and unexpectedly a few weeks ago (not Covid related) so I feel your pain.

This just after a good friend dying and my aunt having a stroke, all totally unexpected.  Oh, my....

Everything is a complete disaster here right now.  Keep strong, guys!!   

@drussell, my condolences.  I think you said it well to "Keep strong".  Remember,  the sense of loss is only a measure of how good the good memories were.  Celebrate the relationship and those memories!

[cyclin_al]

I like this one; it's "Classic Linus" style. 

Note that Linus is using the same case I chose for my Ryzen 7 Build; mostly for the PSU Channel/cavity design with glass side and dual 120/140mm top rad and dual/triple 120/240mm front rad for $37 on the ShellShocker. This configuration, IMO, is a MINIMUM requirement for any modern build.  The fact mine came with RGB lighting was a "Meh..." point for me; it meant I could color-coordinate with my LED thermometer, but once the LED color was set to blue, I disabled the color management and forgot about it.

Good building!

Thanks for that video link.  That gives me a good baseline to compare against.  Definitely my budget is aligned with what is in Linus' video.  I get the impression from the video that he is Canadian from a couple of his comments, but I am not sure that $800 price is Canadian.  With a few changes (double the memory, different case, different SSD), I was almost $1300 looking at CanadaComputers.com, NewEgg.ca and Amazon.ca.  Have I missed a source, did prices jump that much in 2 months, or is his baseline $USD?

I have picked up a few details on modern hardware.  However, I expect I have not got all the knowledge needed, so I will likely check back later.  I will also keep an eye out for deals as I do have a bit of time.

Thanks mnem!

[AVGresponding]

59 quid. Soooo tempting https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373069331029

That's the seller I got the HP differential probe from. It was his father that was the EE, passed away last year I believe.

[nfmax]

Edit: P.S. The interior of that Crew Dragon today looked pretty slick for a spacecraft. 

Better than that dingy Vogon crate, as Arthur Dent once said

[nfmax]

Do your stacks of test equipment slide about alarmingly on your bench when you plug in a cable or vigorously press a button? Try using some strategically placed Dycem non-slip material under the feet. They sell it in the form of moulded pads or flexible grip mats. The grip mats are thinner and easily be cut up using scissors, to suit the size you need. Works a treat! (Available via Amazon)

[AVGresponding]

Well, I found another nixie display to waste my time bidding on...   

Fluke 8300A, I imagine my maiden bid of £25 will need to increase to win, let's hope it's not by too much!   

[Mr. Scram]

Do your stacks of test equipment slide about alarmingly on your bench when you plug in a cable or vigorously press a button? Try using some strategically placed Dycem non-slip material under the feet. They sell it in the form of moulded pads or flexible grip mats. The grip mats are thinner and easily be cut up using scissors, to suit the size you need. Works a treat! (Available via Amazon)

I don't like to stack my babies. They get their own shelves.

[tggzzz]

I don't like to stack my babies. They get their own shelves.

Sometimes you just have to

The other half is on shelves and in cupboards, away from the dust that will happen when windows[1] are replaced.

[1] Not MS Windows; that happened long ago.

[bd139]

Well, I found another nixie display to waste my time bidding on...   

Fluke 8300A, I imagine my maiden bid of £25 will need to increase to win, let's hope it's not by too much!   

Good luck with that. I saw it and decided I don’t have enough room 

[Specmaster]

Incoming, hopefully arriving soon is another AVO model 8, Mk5, complete with all leads, manual and also a clamp on amp probe, a bit grubby but it will clean up nicely. Seller is a retired electrical engineer having a clear out to save his son from having it to do when the time comes, in other words a pre SK sale. This will bring my tally of Avo model 8's upto 3. It wont get used all that much, but at the price it would be rude not to and I'm sure that one day these fine lovable meters will escalate in value.

The attached photo is not actual meter, but it is however the same.

I'm still looking for the right one - which I saw offered once but misssed the auction. It is an ex-military Mk8, not the common model. (have ID now, it is a Test Set No. 1 based on the Model8 MkV.)
Had it marked, but got lost over something else. It was in very good condition.

I already have one of those as well, bloody heavy it is in its metal casing as well. I just like the look of the model 8 Mk 5 with all of its controls nicely lined up in 2 rows. To go with my 3 Avo 8's I also have these analogue meters.

The guy with the huge AVO collection says otherwise.
(http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/avometersdata.html)

Quote
'A military version 'Test Set No. 1' was essentially identical to the Mk 5 (to 1986) except for the front panel markings shown here:'

Thanks for the link, it turns out that what I thought were model 8's (including a Test Set No.1) are in fact Model 9 II with the Test Set being based on it but hugely tropicalised with huge great potted transformers etc to make it resistant to the effects of heat and humidity etc.

Edit:
Just thought it worthy of a note that the Nato stock number of the meter is 6625-99-105-7050 and yet the black protective case for it is part number 6625-99-105-7049 which just struck me as being odd. Rather like which came first, the chicken or the egg


 

[Saskia]

first offer for all local TEA folks:

I have a Shadow pinball (Bally), WPC S, that I would part with. The pinball is working fine, no errors, mini playfield working well. Hard to get spare parts included. This is one of the fastest playing pinballs that Bally ever created (along with Johnny Mnemonic) ... Playfield ok so far, some rework done on top of the Sanctum area. Spare playfield available if you want to restore a playfield yourself.
Local pickup only (near Mainz), 2nd level in a multi tenant building. Weight: about 168 kgs, backbox (ca 40 kgs) can be removed, playfield can be removed so that 2 persons can bring it down the stairs without too much pain. Help to reattach backbox and reseat playfield can be provided.

PM for details.

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2528