Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Cubdriver]

If that 2440 was working as claimed, then why the feck wouldn't they photograph it working???

That's one that's always puzzled me, too.  You claim it works; plug it in, turn it on and take a picture.  It would be a big positive towards getting a sale.  Of course the same skepticism causes me to doubt people who say "It'll work fine, you just need to replace the blown fuse."  Then why don't you put the $1.50 fuse in it and sell it as working for a lot more money than "non working, just needs new fuse"??  I was born at night, but it wasn't last night...

-Pat

That suggests you're buying your fuses from the wrong guy. Those kind of fuses (5 x 20mm, BS1364, etc) ought to be less than £0.20 (3A 5 x 20mm £0.062 GBP, say $0.10 CDN).

Well, it was a number I pulled out of memory based on fuses I've bought in the past for either my own purposes or for work.  And a quick search on 3AGs says it's in the ballpark from Mouser.



-Pat

[tautech]

Mom & Pop ISP we work closely with has a new project for me. 
Please make a mount to affix it to a pole (done and shit easy) and assemble this vertical helix 200W 24V wind alternator......instructions are crap, real crap  and the B&W illustration show bugger all detail of how the 6 tiers of blades are actually fastened  so went looking for assembly videos............
https://youtu.be/gBsDqGanGKA

8 yes 8 sequential videos how to assemble the forking thing where at a few stages it appears extra sets of hands are needed ! 
FML

 

Tell me about it !   Trouble is our main 11 GHz data backhaul link is suffering if we have a run of bad weather or heavily overcast days and especially as the #'s of customers hanging off it grows and batteries are now struggling with the increased load despite there's a 3 full size solar panel array charging them so we need add some wind charging until we can reassign the backhaul load to other yet to be commissioned fiber links.
Such are the headaches of a small but successful wireless data provider.

A smaller adjacent relay installation crashed last week but an urgent installation of a 2nd solar panel fixed that after a few days of getting the batteries up to full charge again. Check out the charge rate ! 

Good lord... that turbine design is like... made of fail. No way in hell you're ever going to get it anywhere close to balanced... seems to me it's gonna eat bearings like M&Ms.  Is that fustercluck supposed to be actual wind power, or more like some vaporware crap they make to sell fuckwit noobs when they get swept up in the whole "off the grid" craze...? 

If you're drawing charge current like that to recover... what is your typical load current, and how much has it changed since the original design scope? Does it really vary that much with demand? 

Seems like a lot of charge certainly but it's still under C10.
Not my call on the turbine and certainly with the way it can blow where it's planned to be installed its robustness will be well tested.
When I first saw the thing and imagined how to assemble it (wrong !) balance issues were first to mind however with some care I believe I can make a reasonable job but how long that might take is the unknown. 
The 3ph alternator base seems well built and quite strong but we'll see.........

System load currents have certainly increased not only from customer growth (higher data throughput) but the addition of more HW (sector panels) and particularly the upgrade to the 11 GHz 1 GB/s AirFiber dish that requires a 48V 2A POE supply. Initial design was adequate as it met good battery DOD practice but now unless batteries are fully charged we exceed it so we are on a tightrope daily without getting to full charge state.
I have suggested restructuring network backhaul routing so to take some of the data and HW load away from this one installation but this can't be done right now like it would be preferable to do. 
So addition of the turbine is the temporary workaround.

[tggzzz]

Thank you for that. 54520a added to watch list 

Same seller also has a 1.5GHz probe, but it is a bit expensive: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274825509075

I have three of them, so don't need more. They are my favourite probe - but I can't afford FET differential probes

Yes I saw that. However you can frig yourself one of them for a considerably lower number of notes. Probably won’t do 1.5GHz but not far off it.

Typically they will be OKish to 1GHz.

I only paid £40/for my third one

[AVGresponding]

One of my saved sellers seems to have acquired a large SK lot, it's in the US unfortunately:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/the*treasure*trove*

mnem

Sorry, fixed the url now. I did say I was posting from my J6.

I've seen that seller before. I'm not going to say what it is, but I've had one of their items in my watch list that is incomplete for over 8 months, I did ask if they had the missing part, but they didn't and it's still at the same daft price, really they could do with adding offers if they want to sell it. 

Also just seen this item of incomplete junk from them, for the bargain price of $199. 
eBay auction: #304037076386
Makes you wonder if the other plug-ins on offer (that don't show the bottom view) are maybe in a similar condition.

David

Yeah I've had them as a saved seller for some time now, and they clearly are not a TE dealer, but someone that buys cheap job-lots of anything and sells them on piecemeal to turn their profit. Hence they know bugger all about the TE except what a (very) quick google search might show.

Well, it was a number I pulled out of memory based on fuses I've bought in the past for either my own purposes or for work.  And a quick search on 3AGs says it's in the ballpark from Mouser.

(Attachment Link)

-Pat

Giblets on fucking toast, I hope those prices are per box of ten! That's more than I pay for the ceramic M205's!

[Cerebus]

If that 2440 was working as claimed, then why the feck wouldn't they photograph it working???

That's one that's always puzzled me, too.  You claim it works; plug it in, turn it on and take a picture.  It would be a big positive towards getting a sale.  Of course the same skepticism causes me to doubt people who say "It'll work fine, you just need to replace the blown fuse."  Then why don't you put the $1.50 fuse in it and sell it as working for a lot more money than "non working, just needs new fuse"??  I was born at night, but it wasn't last night...

-Pat

That suggests you're buying your fuses from the wrong guy. Those kind of fuses (5 x 20mm, BS1364, etc) ought to be less than £0.20 (3A 5 x 20mm £0.062 GBP, say $0.10 CDN).

Well, it was a number I pulled out of memory based on fuses I've bought in the past for either my own purposes or for work.  And a quick search on 3AGs says it's in the ballpark from Mouser.

(Attachment Link)

-Pat

Definately getting them from the wrong man then. RS sell that first line item (3A 5x20mm F) at £1.38 for a pack of 10, roughly the same as Mouser are selling them for each. Pirce goes down to £0.062 each for 100 off.

[mnementh]

On The Bench Tonight: Milo T-217 "High-Frequency Machine"

   

This was another thrifting score from that LMFM Sale excursion; at a net cost of approx US$13, I really didn't care what it does, I just wanted that beefy aluminum enclosure. That, of course, doesn't preclude me from popping the cover to see what juicy bits lie inside. Lets see... looks like... what the hell...? A 255V autotransformer... (I suspect the 240V version doesn't have this) feeding what looks like a capacitive voltage multiplier, all "regulated" by a 600V SCR. And the output to a 5-pin DIN socket...?

  is this stupid waste of electrons supposed to do...?

A quick Gurrgle for the model number revealed the product page below from a online Beauty Supply house...

Warning: enough  to choke a monkey.

Using high frequency electrical stimulation is a non-invasive and effective way to address many popular skin concerns making these treatments a favourite among skincare professionals. Make the smart decision, and buy spa equipment such as this High Frequency Unit T-217 from Natali Products today. Offer your clients one of the best skincare innovations in the industry. The high frequency device is simple to operate, and it’s gentle on skin. Plus it’s so versatile, you can use it on the face or even larger areas of the body.

Conveniently, it comes with 4 adapters:

    Mushroom Adapter (Purple) – Suitable for large areas on the face and/or body
    Spoon Adapter (Orange) – Ideal for small areas on the face
    Pointed Adapter (Orange) – Great for impure skin
    Straight Adapter (Orange) – Perfect for indirect application (e.g. Viennese Massage)

The Science Behind the High Frequency Unit T-217

The High Frequency Unit T-217 generates high voltage of 10-100 kV with a frequency of approximately 400 kHz. And since the current of the generator is very low (10-15 mA), the unit is safe to use. The unit can also come in either a 110V or 220V depending on your needs. The voltage applied to the glass electrode is filled with Argon (Blue/Violet) or Neon (Pink/Orange) gas. Free electrons inside the gas start to move at a high speed, which produces an electric current in the gas. It also comes with a mushroom electrode (Blue), and other 3 electrodes (Pink/Orange).

Great Versatility

A major advantage of this spa equipment device is that you have a wide area open for customization. This allows you to treat your clients on a case-by-case basis. The front panel of this machine includes an intensity regular that allows you to increase or decrease the strength of the output. If your client has dry skin, apply the electrode directly over the treatment cream or mask. The high frequency current will have a sedative effect. Oily or impure skin? Use the pointed electrode to spark the blemish. This will increase healing process. Purchase the High-Frequency Unit T-217 from Natali Products today, and also check out the other spa equipment for sale. Warranty: 6 month warranty

Fucking seriously...? You put a AC-Line-powered HV oscillator to a neon tube, then rub that on the skin as a "treatment"...? For fucking what?

I mean... aside from "An excess of vanity and liquid cash compounded with Darwin-Award-worthy stupidity...?"

I'm guessing this must be some cousin to dermatology electrophoresis... but jeez, the BS being thrown around is mind-numbing, and this listing on Amazon just serves to pile it on higher and deeper; tho it does have pretty color pictures to really hype it up:   https://www.amazon.ca/Frequency-Facial-Device-Portable-Handhold/dp/B086D1C3GJ

mnem
Dismantle with extreme prejudice!

[Cubdriver]

On The Bench Tonight: Milo T-217 "High-Frequency Machine"

   

This was another thrifting score from that LMFM Sale excursion; at a net cost of approx US$13, I really didn't care what it does, I just wanted the enclosure. That, of course, doesn't preclude me from popping the cover to see what juicy bits lie inside. Lets see... looks like... what the hell...? A 255V autotransformer... (I suspect the 240V version doesn't have this) feeding what looks like a capacitive voltage multiplier, all "regulated" by a 600V SCR. And the output to a 5-pin DIN socket...?

  is this stupid waste of electrons supposed to do...?

A quick Gurrgle for the model number revealed the product page below from a online Beauty Supply house...

Warning: enough  to choke a monkey.

Using high frequency electrical stimulation is a non-invasive and effective way to address many popular skin concerns making these treatments a favourite among skincare professionals. Make the smart decision, and buy spa equipment such as this High Frequency Unit T-217 from Natali Products today. Offer your clients one of the best skincare innovations in the industry. The high frequency device is simple to operate, and it’s gentle on skin. Plus it’s so versatile, you can use it on the face or even larger areas of the body.

Conveniently, it comes with 4 adapters:

    Mushroom Adapter (Purple) – Suitable for large areas on the face and/or body
    Spoon Adapter (Orange) – Ideal for small areas on the face
    Pointed Adapter (Orange) – Great for impure skin
    Straight Adapter (Orange) – Perfect for indirect application (e.g. Viennese Massage)

The Science Behind the High Frequency Unit T-217

The High Frequency Unit T-217 generates high voltage of 10-100 kV with a frequency of approximately 400 kHz. And since the current of the generator is very low (10-15 mA), the unit is safe to use. The unit can also come in either a 110V or 220V depending on your needs. The voltage applied to the glass electrode is filled with Argon (Blue/Violet) or Neon (Pink/Orange) gas. Free electrons inside the gas start to move at a high speed, which produces an electric current in the gas. It also comes with a mushroom electrode (Blue), and other 3 electrodes (Pink/Orange).

Great Versatility

A major advantage of this spa equipment device is that you have a wide area open for customization. This allows you to treat your clients on a case-by-case basis. The front panel of this machine includes an intensity regular that allows you to increase or decrease the strength of the output. If your client has dry skin, apply the electrode directly over the treatment cream or mask. The high frequency current will have a sedative effect. Oily or impure skin? Use the pointed electrode to spark the blemish. This will increase healing process. Purchase the High-Frequency Unit T-217 from Natali Products today, and also check out the other spa equipment for sale. Warranty: 6 month warranty

Fucking seriously...? You put a AC-Line-powered HV oscillator to a neon tube, then rub that on the skin as a "treatment"...? For fucking what?

I mean... aside from "An excess of vanity and liquid cash compounded with Darwin-Award-worthy stupidity...?"

I'm guessing this must be some cousin to dermatology electrophoresis... but jeez, the BS being thrown around is mind-numbing, and this listing on Amazon just serves to pile it on higher and deeper; tho it does have pretty color pictures to really hype it up:   https://www.amazon.ca/Frequency-Facial-Device-Portable-Handhold/dp/B086D1C3GJ

mnem
Dismantle with extreme prejudice!

So you bought a modern version of a Violet Ray Machine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_ray

-Pat

[mnementh]

No, I bought a really nice aluminum enclosure. The electro-snake-oil generator came along with, gratis. 

mnem
Hey; gotta love the classics...

[Cubdriver]

No, I bought a really nice aluminum enclosure. The electro-snake-oil generator came along with, gratis. 

mnem
Hey; gotta love the classics...

Can I interest you in some Snake Oil?  It's good for what ails ya!  (whatever that may be...)

-Pat

[Cerebus]

So you bought a modern version of a Violet Ray Machine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_ray

-Pat

No, he bought a violet wand machine. Quite a different Wikipedia page from the one for violet ray: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_electrostimulation#Violet_wands . And he's trying to pretend he doesn't know what it is? I should cocoa!

The nurse will see you now:

[mnementh]

Just out of curiosity, I decided to see what potential it really generates; sadly, not much exciting. It wouldn't even strike an arc across a 3mm gap or light up a fluorescent bulb; the only fun I was able to have was torturing a lead in my pencil and a little tingle across a fingertip. Feels aboot like being bit by a fluorescent ballast, so what... 300-400V at 1-2mA max across the resistance of 5mm of skin...?

*sigh*

Might be good as a insulation tester power source tho; no idea what the actual unloaded voltage would peak out at. Still quite possibly higher than I'd feel like testing with any meter I have right now...

mnem
 

[Brumby]

... the only fun I was able to have was torturing a lead in my pencil ...

[mindcrime]

It's here, it's here!!!







 

[med6753]

It's here, it's here!!!


 

Where's the teardown? Does it power up? Is there magic smoke?

We have rules you know. 

[mindcrime]

It's here, it's here!!!


 

Where's the teardown? Does it power up? Is there magic smoke?

We have rules you know. 

I'll tell you what you can do with your "rule".. I'll tell... ooooh, I'll tell you...  I'll, I'll, oooohhhhhhh... 




















 

[med6753]

This is in Albany CL, about 90 miles (145km) from me. Tempting but no. If I didn't currently have a hernia I would after trying to move that beast. And I just don't have the room. And yes, I think floor loading would definitely have to be a consideration. 

And frankly it ain't worth $1000 USD although I'm sure some fool will pony up the cash. It just won't be this fool. My take is $500 USD tops.

And notice it says "ran when parked" 

[med6753]

It's here, it's here!!!


 

Where's the teardown? Does it power up? Is there magic smoke?

We have rules you know. 

I'll tell you what you can do with your "rule".. I'll tell... ooooh, I'll tell you...  I'll, I'll, oooohhhhhhh... 




















 

So when can we expect the teardown? 

[bd139]

Yep, that was going to my approach to it when I first acquired it, problem is that there are no plugs involved, its all hardwired and soldered using the crappiest solid core ribbon cables that instantly melts the insulation when a soldering iron is applied to the terminals  the bloody thing is evil 

Oh nice. They managed to even optimise the connectors away on the cost front now . The last Casio thing I went inside actually had board to wire connectors in it. Race to the bottom is bad 

[bd139]

So you bought a modern version of a Violet Ray Machine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_ray

-Pat

No, he bought a violet wand machine. Quite a different Wikipedia page from the one for violet ray: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_electrostimulation#Violet_wands . And he's trying to pretend he doesn't know what it is? I should cocoa!

The nurse will see you now:

I'll take three!

[BU508A]

So you bought a modern version of a Violet Ray Machine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_ray

-Pat

No, he bought a violet wand machine. Quite a different Wikipedia page from the one for violet ray: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_electrostimulation#Violet_wands . And he's trying to pretend he doesn't know what it is? I should cocoa!

The nurse will see you now:

I'll take three!

Really? Remember, you aren't any longer in your twenties!   

[Saskia]

Oh, that was my hair color when I was younger

[med6753]

Oh, that was my hair color when I was younger

What? You were a ginger? Really?

It's all beginning to make sense now. 

[Specmaster]

So you bought a modern version of a Violet Ray Machine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_ray

-Pat

No, he bought a violet wand machine. Quite a different Wikipedia page from the one for violet ray: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_electrostimulation#Violet_wands . And he's trying to pretend he doesn't know what it is? I should cocoa!

The nurse will see you now:

No effing way, she's a bleeding red head.... RUN

[Specmaster]

This popped into my inbox this morning from shpock if anyone is interested in a 250MHz digital scope (HP54510A), it passes all self tests and is £100 in Redditch https://www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/YNSJwrpppBSid0wz/hp54510a-digital-oscilloscope-250mhz?utm_campaign=User+Alerts&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=alert&utm_source=alert
Might be worth a punt. 

[Cubdriver]

This is in Albany CL, about 90 miles (145km) from me. Tempting but no. If I didn't currently have a hernia I would after trying to move that beast. And I just don't have the room. And yes, I think floor loading would definitely have to be a consideration. 

And frankly it ain't worth $1000 USD although I'm sure some fool will pony up the cash. It just won't be this fool. My take is $500 USD tops.

And notice it says "ran when parked" 

I want one of those in a big way, but not $1k big!  Maybe $3-400 but that'd be about my limit, especially in relatively unknown condition.

-Pat