Re: Favourite Test Equipment

On Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:55:18 -0400, Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 2024-04-10 16:30, Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 11/04/2024 3:42 am, Cursitor Doom wrote:

On Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:40:02 +1000, Trevor Wilson
<trevor@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:
>

On 1/04/2024 4:41 am, Cursitor Doom wrote:

Hi all,
>
I'm starting to get a bit fed up with having my test equipment blow up
just when it's needed. This is the drawback with vintage gear; if it's
not used frequently then it can go *bang* the next time you switch it
on. It makes for good practice in repairing stuff, but wastes a lot of
time which could be better spent doing other things.
I think it's time I modernised my test gear. I was just wondering if
anyone has any recommendations they can share. Is there a particular
piece of test equipment you couldn't live without? Something you're
particularly impressed with? I'd be interested to know so I can
perhaps acquire said item and thereby reduce the number of explosions
I experience.
>
Thanks,
>
CD.

>
**In my 55 years of servicing, I've only blown up one thing: A Micronta
DMM, which I connected to a laser power supply. I should not have done
it. Clear operator failure. Everything else works just fine. Even my
first multimeter. A Sanwa U-50D my dad gave me on my 14th birthday.
Still works fine. My first DMM. A cheap 'n cheerful SOAR. Works just
fine. My first Fluke meter. A 40 year old Fluke 85. Works fine. I've had
to clean the switch a few times. Otherwise, no problems. Ditto my other
15 or so meters. Same deal with my 'scopes.
>
I don't know what your problem is. Test equipment, when treated properly
lasts a long time.

>
To be fair, these "explosions" are typically capacitors: old, dried
-out electrolytics in test gear that hasn't been used in a long time
go bang when the power's switched on - as do old X2 safety caps. Those
are the chief culprits IME.

 
**Oh, I see. You ignore regular maintenance. That makes sense. I hope no
one buys a car from you.
 

>
Whereas all you Ozites are 100% rational reasonable polite beings who
are always on top of everything, including predicting the exact date
when an old cap will give up the ghost.
>
Silly me for forgetting. ;)
>
Cheers
>
Phil Hobbs

You don't routinely replace caps in all your test gear? I'm shocked,
shocked.

(My nice little HP6212A power supply must be 50 years old. It's never
been opened and works great.)