Re: hp8640B strange output
One thing to check is the Final amplifier. If that one dies or gets deteriorated the ALC could play some tricks.
Those are unobtanium, but can be replaced with a modern SOT-89 type for a few bucks. I simply designed a small PCB which was fitted where the old metal can component was placed and used an external low voltage regulator that provided the +5V or whatever I needed instead of the +40V the original device used.
Cheers
Ulf Kylenfall - SM6GXV
|
Re: I'm officially lost now with this 8753ES
Sorry, my mistake. I was thinking of the cavity oscillator adjustment procedure which looks for spurs around 3 GHz.
Vladan
|
Re: I'm officially lost now with this 8753ES
So I am lost.? I tried checking the 3.8 GHz oscillator, it's fine. I checked the frequency of the YTO and it is very high at the lower frequencies but is exactly where it's supposed to be at 1 GHz instrument output and above (4.8 GHz YTO and above).
Peter, is this a typo? The cavity oscillator should be just below 3 GHz. Vladan
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
There is some connection with Stag... at least there are
Stag copyrights in the Advin U84's code.
-Chuck Harris
Dave McGuire wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 3/13/19 9:37 PM, Bruce Lane wrote:
In addition to Data I/O, I'd like to suggest Advin. Their higher-end
programmers use the same DAC-per-pin technology. In fact, it is my
understanding Advin was founded by former Data I/O engineers.
They're also outstanding where legacy support is concerned. Just
download what you need from their web site. No hassles, no problems. (Coincidentally here's some input from the guy I bought my beloved
UniSite from, twelve years ago!)
I didn't know Advin was founded by ex-Data I/O people. That's very
cool indeed.
-Dave
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On 3/13/19 9:37 PM, Bruce Lane wrote: In addition to Data I/O, I'd like to suggest Advin. Their higher-end
programmers use the same DAC-per-pin technology. In fact, it is my
understanding Advin was founded by former Data I/O engineers.
They're also outstanding where legacy support is concerned. Just
download what you need from their web site. No hassles, no problems. (Coincidentally here's some input from the guy I bought my beloved UniSite from, twelve years ago!) I didn't know Advin was founded by ex-Data I/O people. That's very cool indeed. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
|
I'm officially lost now with this 8753ES
Last I left off I had an intermittent contact on one of the modules in the hybrid assembly in the source module.
The good news is I found the root cause, it was one of those elastomeric pieces which got too squished and over time lost its resilient properties.
The bad news is that the unit now has a fault which I cannot isolate.
I was able to acquire another source module, albeit of a slightly different part number, untested, from a UPS damaged instrument.? I figured it would at least be good for spares.
Anyhow, before I found the specific bad connection, I went through the following steps:
I tried the new source assembly, went through the required initializations, and it didn't work.? No output at all.? Upon opening the new hybrid module I found that a lot of screws were missing.? I borrowed them from my unit and now it is putting out power, but the output frequency is all over the spectrum even with the PLL turned off.? The Keysight website says this model number is compatible with my unit, but perhaps it isn't afterall.
I placed the last hybrid module from the new unit in my unit. Success!? although the (divided) output was about -7 dBm, it was remarkably uniform from 300 kHz through 3 GHz.? So I decided I would run through the necessary adjustments spelled out in the manual. One of them is hooking up a power meter.? I will add that the instrument had been on for some time by then and stable.? During theroutine, I saw a few flashes of phase lock errors.? uh-oh.? And then at the end the cal failed.? Right after that everything was just awful.? The manual says if you get that failure message you start at square one, source troubleshooting.? So I did, right from the top.
One of the first tasks is to run test 48, pretune correction constants.? It fails this.? I rechecked the sampler/mixer check, the problem isn't there (I didn't think so but I want to be thorough). The next is to check a few frequencies in SRC tune mode.? This is done with the PLL open.? This fails miserably, the 300 kHz is around 263 MHz and 30/40 MHz are similarly high.? The next test is "YO coil drive check with analog bus".? The 1 V/GHz signal looks substantially like in the manual, and more importantly completely identical to what I had seen before (I took a photo) when I didn't have this problem.? All the manual now says is to replace the source assembly.
So I am lost.? I tried checking the 3.8 GHz oscillator, it's fine. I checked the frequency of the YTO and it is very high at the lower frequencies but is exactly where it's supposed to be at 1 GHz instrument output and above (4.8 GHz YTO and above).
The weird thing is that this specific problem seems to have occurred when I was running the power level cal routine.? That may just be coincidence.
I'm lost.? It seems the YTO is way too high at the lower frequencies for the PLL to lock, but the drive signal (at least on the analog bus) is correct.? Do I check the voltages at the coil of the YTO next?? Has the YTO gone bad?? (I do have a potential spare).? What do I do now?? I didn't give all the steps and there were many cases where I went in circles.
Peter
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
I have a Advin Pilot MVP and it is a nice device programmer, the newer Advin are just rebadged Xeltec device programmers.? I also have a few old? Xeltecs I keep around for some really old devices and a Dataio Chiplab.? The only sand alone programmer I have is a Stag PP39.? I did buy one of the cheap USB programmers one time but have not used it since I found out it had trouble programming NMOS EPROMs, it seemed that the pin driver where really weak on it.
Paul.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 2019-03-13 10:37 p.m., Bruce Lane wrote:
On 13-Mar-19 10:49, Dave McGuire wrote:
On 3/13/19 12:10 PM, Eric Haskell [KC4YOE] wrote:
I have a number of ageing instruments (mostly HP RF) and I am concerned
about "bit rot" for loss of program or cal data integrity.? What kind of
programmer do you folks recommend to archive and restore these devices
from the 80's, 90's and 2000's?? (It would also be nice to work with
more modern parts as a hobbyist.)
I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks
interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that
works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices. I gave up fighting with PC-driven toy device programmers years ago,
after getting screwed for the last time by unavailable software, forced
upgrades, OS version dependencies, and other such crap. Not only do I
have zero patience for that sort of BS, I also do this sort of thing for
a living, so I need tools that I can depend on. <snippage>
In addition to Data I/O, I'd like to suggest Advin. Their higher-end
programmers use the same DAC-per-pin technology. In fact, it is my
understanding Advin was founded by former Data I/O engineers.
They're also outstanding where legacy support is concerned. Just
download what you need from their web site. No hassles, no problems.
Keep the peace(es).
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On 13-Mar-19 10:49, Dave McGuire wrote: On 3/13/19 12:10 PM, Eric Haskell [KC4YOE] wrote:
I have a number of ageing instruments (mostly HP RF) and I am concerned
about "bit rot" for loss of program or cal data integrity.? What kind of
programmer do you folks recommend to archive and restore these devices
from the 80's, 90's and 2000's?? (It would also be nice to work with
more modern parts as a hobbyist.)
I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks
interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that
works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices. I gave up fighting with PC-driven toy device programmers years ago,
after getting screwed for the last time by unavailable software, forced
upgrades, OS version dependencies, and other such crap. Not only do I
have zero patience for that sort of BS, I also do this sort of thing for
a living, so I need tools that I can depend on. <snippage> In addition to Data I/O, I'd like to suggest Advin. Their higher-end programmers use the same DAC-per-pin technology. In fact, it is my understanding Advin was founded by former Data I/O engineers. They're also outstanding where legacy support is concerned. Just download what you need from their web site. No hassles, no problems. Keep the peace(es). -- --- Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech dot com "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (Red Green)
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
Eric, ? I think the most important thing to have is a programmer that specifically supports the specific chip you are going to read and program. ? There are a number of chips out there in the many vintage units we have that are rather unique and not specifically supported by a number of programmers.? The danger is that you will misread and/or alter the data in the chip and, as a result, degrade your instruments and not be able to resurrect them unless you can find the data to allow you to reprogram the various chips needed. ? I would favor an industrial device programmer rather than one of the Willem type programmers.? I like BP Microsystems and Advin but there are many others out there.? You can find many of them for under $100 on theBay but they generally require a Parallel Port and work with WinXP or earlier.? Having an older computer or laptop that you can devote to the purpose can be a good thing. ? There are a number of sites that ¡®archive¡¯ the data and make it available to all for resurrecting or upgrading their instruments. ??It is important to upload the data to a number of sites.? If your ¡®workshop computer¡¯ crashes, as mine did, you stand to lose a lot of data that is only replaceable if you still have the chips to read. ? Unless you have available ¡®new¡¯ chips, you will need to be able to erase the EPROM¡¯s which will require a uV source/eraser or, possibly, extended exposure to direct sunlight.? Your programmer should be able to tell you if the chip is ¡®blank¡¯ or not. ? While it is nice to have something that works with USB and supports the latest chips, for the most part, the chips we need to read, archive, and program are very old and don¡¯t need the ¡®latest programmers¡¯. ? I¡¯m happy to read, archive and program any chips you have if you send me the chips, supply ¡®new¡¯ chips to be programmed and provide return mail to your location.? I can send you the data file or upload it to any site you provide.? In the past, I¡¯ve been able to do this for some fairly esoteric chips for folks on the list. ? Many of us would be grateful for the data to be able to resurrect and/or upgrade our equipment. ? Hope this helps. ? Good luck. ? Joe ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Eric Haskell [KC4YOE]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 11:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc. ? I have a number of ageing instruments (mostly HP RF) and I am concerned about "bit rot" for loss of program or cal data integrity.? What kind of programmer do you folks recommend to archive and restore these devices from the 80's, 90's and 2000's?? (It would also be nice to work with more modern parts as a hobbyist.)
I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices.
I think I remember reading that one of the group members offers a service for providing programmed? devices for some instruments?
Is this type of service available anywhere for a reasonable cost?
Regards,
Eric Haskell (KC4YOE)
|
Re: HP8563 HV supply repair
Staffan said:
"To get rid of the goop, I just bought some silicone remover. It's probably intended for bathrooms and windows etc. Anyone has had experience with this? It smells like I have a ton of lemons in the lab right now... Not sure how I can wash it away from the board. Have tried water and alcohol, but there is still the smell at least. I guess I'll know more tomorrow whether it is very corrosive or not..."
Staffan, did this stuff dissolve or soften the goop? If so, then I think the goop is a hydrocarbon rubber or tar composition, and not a silicone. The lemony-fresh scent is due to citrus compounds like limonene, commonly used as solvents in less-harsh cleaning products. I don't think a little residue will hurt anything on the diodes and caps but it's probably best to get it out of there. If the HV transformer is not itself sealed (like vacuum impregnated or such), you should avoid any washing that may risk leaving residue inside of it.
If things seem OK for washing, a mix (maybe half and half) of IPA and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, with maybe a few drops of non-scented (the lemony ones will have limonene - don't need to add more) liquid dish-washing detergent added, may be more effective. Of course, after any washing process, a thorough rinse in hot tap water is needed to flush everything out. If that doesn't work, maybe try some ammonia water.
If these aqueous brews don't eliminate the smell, the you may want to try mineral spirits. You probably shouldn't go to higher solvent intensity without thinking more about the parts in there.
Ed
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
We've been using the GQ-4X programmer in the lab for several years now with virtually no hiccups.? It's nice to have an inexpensive programmer that seems to work well.? There are several reviews out there that are useful to read and will give you an insight into any issues that may exist (Google "GQ-4X reviews").
The attractiveness of low price, accommodating a very wide array of devices and the availability of adapters make this an attractive alternative if you don't want to spend kilobucks on the upscale machines that may only be used occasionally.? Yes, it does carry a price as do the accessories but the manufacturer has worked hard to avoid obsolescence.
They offer other programmer versions as well.? It's worth checking out the website (http://www.mcumall.com/store/) to see what they offer (I am not affiliated in any way with them).
Greg
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On 3/13/19 6:27 PM, Colby Burkett wrote: Documentation? It's a programmer. Not trying to be flippant, but what
are you expecting? Also, remember that complaints outnumber favorable
comments by a wide margin. I am largely satisfied by the combination of
TL866CS and GQ-4X. Each has served me well on at least ~100 occasions.
As far as I am concerned, they're disposable devices meant to serve a
purpose. Once they don't serve that purpose....
That TNM5000 looks nice. Real nice. And once it no longer serves its
purpose, I'll replace it too :) Twelve years and counting with a UniSite...just sayin'. ;) -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
Documentation? It's a programmer. Not trying to be flippant, but what are you expecting? Also, remember that complaints outnumber favorable comments by a wide margin. I am largely satisfied by the combination of TL866CS and GQ-4X. Each has served me well on at least ~100 occasions.
As far as I am concerned, they're disposable devices meant to serve a purpose. Once they don't serve that purpose....
That TNM5000 looks nice. Real nice. And once it no longer serves its purpose, I'll replace it too :)
On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 11:06 AM Eric Haskell [KC4YOE]
<eric_haskell@...> wrote:
> I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices.
I don't think there is any such programmer.? The newer USB programmers
have very spotty support for older devices.? For example, they won't
read 8Kx8 mask ROMs or program the MCM68766s that are commonly used to
replace them.
BTW, the TL866A and TL866CS are now obsolete and won't get any more
updates.? The current version is the "TL866II Plus".
Here are a couple of websites offering programming services:
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On 3/13/19 6:19 PM, John Griessen wrote: ? the cheapies are a false economy, especially when you
can pick up a Data I/O 2900 for less than a hundred bucks. Do those have enough range to cover the usual HP and Tek ROMs?
Was your unisite upgrade needed for HP and Tek ROMs?
HP and Tek used a lot of ROMs, and I haven't really taken notice of which ones I have and haven't dealt with. All I can really tell you is that, between test equipment and running the museum, I deal with a lot of programmable devices, and I've not run across one that the UniSite can't handle. I'm happy to check the supported device list if you have specific ones in mind, or I can send you a copy of it if you wish. My UniSite upgrade was an opportunistic one; the 2900 was doing the trick but the UniSite has a hard drive and came with a whole slew of adapters for which I didn't have equivalents for the 2900. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On 3/13/19 3:05 PM, Dave McGuire wrote: the cheapies are a false economy, especially when you
can pick up a Data I/O 2900 for less than a hundred bucks. Do those have enough range to cover the usual HP and Tek ROMs? Was your unisite upgrade needed for HP and Tek ROMs?
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 11:06 AM Eric Haskell [KC4YOE] <eric_haskell@...> wrote: I have seen TL866 mentioned here. The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks interesting. Others? I am looking for an inexpensive programmer that works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices. I don't think there is any such programmer. The newer USB programmers have very spotty support for older devices. For example, they won't read 8Kx8 mask ROMs or program the MCM68766s that are commonly used to replace them. BTW, the TL866A and TL866CS are now obsolete and won't get any more updates. The current version is the "TL866II Plus". Here are a couple of websites offering programming services:
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
I bought a TNM500 on eBay for $400 with 15 adaptors after a good bit of discussion on EEVblog. I have tried it once to read a PC BIOS chip which it seemed to do fine once I figured out the UI. TNM is actually an Iranian company which rather surprised me. The unit itself came from China.
It seems to have good device support. I was quite underwhelmed by both the TL866 and the GQ documentation.
I chose the TNM for the simple reason the cost started going up very steeply from there. I purchased it primarily for the same reason, to be able to copy old T&M gear devices. But I also destroyed the NAND flash in an Instek DSO by accident, so I needed something that would program that. The EEVblog thread reported lots of issues with the TL866 variants as well as the GQ versions.
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
Yes, I occasionally do xmodem transfers into Cisco routers and switches with the baby blue cables. Not sure what Foundry/Brocade use..... nor F5, Fortinet, Gigamon, etc... yeah, I am in that industry, so the names roll off the tongue. I normally don't support the equipment, though.
And yeah, we got off topic... :)
Colby
On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 1:13 PM Peter Gottlieb < hpnpilot@...> wrote: So far so good...
On 3/13/2019 4:05 PM, Dave McGuire wrote:
>? ? Those were my words, not Eric's.
>
>? ? I maintain that the cheapies are a false economy, especially when you
> can pick up a Data I/O 2900 for less than a hundred bucks.? But do what
> works for you, and I hope that world treats you better than it treated me.
>
>? ? ? ? ? ? -Dave
>
> On 3/13/19 3:56 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
>> Eric,
>>
>> I certainly respect your opinion on this but it's not an appropriate
>> solution for most people.? I have used the Data I/O programmers and they
>> are great and program to exact chip manufacturer specifications.? But I
>> don't do enough or have the money I can spend on one now.? I use one of
>> those inexpensive GQ-4X devices and it fits in the drawer of my desk.
>> It does the job.? If it stops working I'll buy the latest cheap similar
>> device at that time, they're that cheap.? I've never had a problem with
>> any devices programmed.
>>
>> Peter
>>
>>
>> On 3/13/2019 1:49 PM, Dave McGuire wrote:
>>> On 3/13/19 12:10 PM, Eric Haskell [KC4YOE] wrote:
>>>> I have a number of ageing instruments (mostly HP RF) and I am concerned
>>>> about "bit rot" for loss of program or cal data integrity.? What kind of
>>>> programmer do you folks recommend to archive and restore these devices
>>>> from the 80's, 90's and 2000's?? (It would also be nice to work with
>>>> more modern parts as a hobbyist.)
>>>>
>>>> I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks
>>>> interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that
>>>> works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices.
>>>? ?? I gave up fighting with PC-driven toy device programmers years ago,
>>> after getting screwed for the last time by unavailable software, forced
>>> upgrades, OS version dependencies, and other such crap.? Not only do I
>>> have zero patience for that sort of BS, I also do this sort of thing for
>>> a living, so I need tools that I can depend on.
>>>
>>>? ?? My solution to the problem, years ago, was to pick up a Data I/O 2900,
>>> which I later upgraded to a UniSite.? These are big, very expensive,
>>> professional-grade DAC-per-pin programmers with massive device
>>> databases, over twenty thousand in the firmware I'm running.? These are
>>> standalone programmers that do not require proprietary software running
>>> on a proprietary OS with proprietary drivers just waiting for forced
>>> obsolescence.? You can even drive them from an actual dumb terminal if
>>> you want, but a PeeCee with a comm program is sufficient, it has a nice
>>> full-screen interface using terminal control sequences.? Get a $4
>>> USB<->RS232 adapter, which even Windows can deal with, and you're good
>>> to go.
>>>
>>>? ?? There are others besides the big Data I/O programmers.? But the real
>>> key here is a standalone, self-contained device with an *interface* to a
>>> computer, not a lifeline/tether to a computer that's required for its
>>> operation.? The exposure to ignoring the difference is wondering whether
>>> or not your programmer becomes a paperweight when/if Windows 11 comes
>>> out.
>>>
>>>? ?? Now, this opinion and solution are not widely respected, but on the
>>> other hand, I never, ever have problems dealing with programmable
>>> devices, and most other people do...read into that what you will.? I got
>>> fed up with the BS with toy programmers and decided to solve the problem
>>> for real, permanently, the right way.
>>>
>>>> I think I remember reading that one of the group members offers a
>>>> service for providing programmed? devices for some instruments?
>>>>
>>>> Is this type of service available anywhere for a reasonable cost?
>>>? ?? I don't know who you're referring to, but I provide such services
>>> under my company.? I am also happy to read any (readable) programmable
>>> devices sent to me (and send them back) for archiving on Didier's site
>>> etc.
>>>
>>>? ??????????????? -Dave
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
|
Re: Maintaining good Firmware EPROM, PROM, EEPROM etc.
I can't resist adding that manufacturers like to keep the fuse maps secret for some absurd reason.? A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I had to sign an NDA to get AMD to release the fuse map for the 29PL141.
Just try getting Xilinx to release programming information on their FPGAs.
On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 4:13 PM Peter Gottlieb < hpnpilot@...> wrote: So far so good...
On 3/13/2019 4:05 PM, Dave McGuire wrote:
>? ? Those were my words, not Eric's.
>
>? ? I maintain that the cheapies are a false economy, especially when you
> can pick up a Data I/O 2900 for less than a hundred bucks.? But do what
> works for you, and I hope that world treats you better than it treated me.
>
>? ? ? ? ? ? -Dave
>
> On 3/13/19 3:56 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
>> Eric,
>>
>> I certainly respect your opinion on this but it's not an appropriate
>> solution for most people.? I have used the Data I/O programmers and they
>> are great and program to exact chip manufacturer specifications.? But I
>> don't do enough or have the money I can spend on one now.? I use one of
>> those inexpensive GQ-4X devices and it fits in the drawer of my desk.
>> It does the job.? If it stops working I'll buy the latest cheap similar
>> device at that time, they're that cheap.? I've never had a problem with
>> any devices programmed.
>>
>> Peter
>>
>>
>> On 3/13/2019 1:49 PM, Dave McGuire wrote:
>>> On 3/13/19 12:10 PM, Eric Haskell [KC4YOE] wrote:
>>>> I have a number of ageing instruments (mostly HP RF) and I am concerned
>>>> about "bit rot" for loss of program or cal data integrity.? What kind of
>>>> programmer do you folks recommend to archive and restore these devices
>>>> from the 80's, 90's and 2000's?? (It would also be nice to work with
>>>> more modern parts as a hobbyist.)
>>>>
>>>> I have seen TL866 mentioned here.? The GQ-4X Willem Programmer+ looks
>>>> interesting. Others?? I am looking for? an inexpensive programmer that
>>>> works with a modern laptop (USB) and supports older devices.
>>>? ?? I gave up fighting with PC-driven toy device programmers years ago,
>>> after getting screwed for the last time by unavailable software, forced
>>> upgrades, OS version dependencies, and other such crap.? Not only do I
>>> have zero patience for that sort of BS, I also do this sort of thing for
>>> a living, so I need tools that I can depend on.
>>>
>>>? ?? My solution to the problem, years ago, was to pick up a Data I/O 2900,
>>> which I later upgraded to a UniSite.? These are big, very expensive,
>>> professional-grade DAC-per-pin programmers with massive device
>>> databases, over twenty thousand in the firmware I'm running.? These are
>>> standalone programmers that do not require proprietary software running
>>> on a proprietary OS with proprietary drivers just waiting for forced
>>> obsolescence.? You can even drive them from an actual dumb terminal if
>>> you want, but a PeeCee with a comm program is sufficient, it has a nice
>>> full-screen interface using terminal control sequences.? Get a $4
>>> USB<->RS232 adapter, which even Windows can deal with, and you're good
>>> to go.
>>>
>>>? ?? There are others besides the big Data I/O programmers.? But the real
>>> key here is a standalone, self-contained device with an *interface* to a
>>> computer, not a lifeline/tether to a computer that's required for its
>>> operation.? The exposure to ignoring the difference is wondering whether
>>> or not your programmer becomes a paperweight when/if Windows 11 comes
>>> out.
>>>
>>>? ?? Now, this opinion and solution are not widely respected, but on the
>>> other hand, I never, ever have problems dealing with programmable
>>> devices, and most other people do...read into that what you will.? I got
>>> fed up with the BS with toy programmers and decided to solve the problem
>>> for real, permanently, the right way.
>>>
>>>> I think I remember reading that one of the group members offers a
>>>> service for providing programmed? devices for some instruments?
>>>>
>>>> Is this type of service available anywhere for a reasonable cost?
>>>? ?? I don't know who you're referring to, but I provide such services
>>> under my company.? I am also happy to read any (readable) programmable
>>> devices sent to me (and send them back) for archiving on Didier's site
>>> etc.
>>>
>>>? ??????????????? -Dave
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
|
Re: HP8563 HV supply repair
Hello,
?
Just a short update. Fed the primary with a signal generator and found best conversion around 45 kHz. A bit above the 25-30 kHz that I believe is recommended. As a protection of the generator I used a 50 Ohms series resistor so input voltage was limited to 3 Vpp, which nevertheless gave 1 kV from the?+9 kV output and -302 V from the -2.45 kV output. Stepping input signal by increments of approximately 0.2 V gave a change at the output of either 65 V (+9 kV) or -20 V (-2.45 kV). This fits nicely with the nominal 30 Vpp input that would render 9.75 kV and -2.7 kV. So it seems at least some parts are working. Don't intend to go higher right now since - as jfphp mentions - should be careful with the testing...
If I'm lucky I will get hold of a high voltage source to test the individual components. Need to remove them from the board first though since I don't intend to go down with my cheap probes and inject some 3 kV...
?
To get rid of the goop, I just bought some silicone remover. It's probably intended for bathrooms and windows etc. Anyone has had experience with this? It smells like I have a ton of lemons in the lab right now... Not sure how I can wash it away from the board. Have tried water and alcohol, but there is still the smell at least. I guess I'll know more tomorrow whether it is very corrosive or not...
?
Oh, learnt one more thing. The HV output of the transformer has five leads. The three 'low voltage' ones (around -2.45 kV) are on the top and are shielded/protected very well. The two for the HV multiplier (actually the source of both -2.45 and?+9 kV) are very thin and soldered almost immediately to the board on the 'bottom side'. If anyone plans on removing the goop from the transformer - be careful.
?
I also found a schematic for the HV supply. Attached.
Regards,
? Staffan
|
Dave McGuire
Bruce Lane