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Re: Looking for TM503B manual


 

Hi Jared,
Congratulations on finding a TM503B. "B" versions of a product are uncommon for Tek to make. They are an indication that the product sold very well. Tek was also convinced it would continue to sell well. There were two main reasons to create a "B" version of a product.
1) To update it to meet current market requirements such as new electrical standards, safety standards, international environmental standards (such as being free of lead or mercury), energy efficiency goals, etc.
2) To reduce manufacturing costs, reduce parts count, reduce assembly time, improve product performance, improve product reliability, reduce the total cost of ownership for the customer, etc.

I have seen enough different TM503s that I am certain Tek made many versions of the TM503. I posted a 4 page paper on a TM503 that I came across that had every indication of being a very late model TM503 judging from how simplified Tek's production engineers redesigned it for quick assembly and low manufacturing cost.

This particular TM503 was unusual for many reasons:
* There were no markings on indicating what it was but you could tell immediately that it was a TM503 by looking at it.
* It had GPIB connectors for each slot like a TM5003 would have.
* The power supply was a conventional transformer and filter caps analog design, and not a switching power supply like the TM5003 has.
* It produced higher TM5xx DC voltages than the TM5003 and TM5006. TM500x voltages are lower than the TM5xx unregulated voltages because TM500x voltages are regulated by the switching supply they use.

You may find something that applies to your TM503B in the unusual TM503 I found and modified. It is at:
/g/TekScopes/files/Modification%20of%20an%20Unusual%20Three%20Wide%20TM%20Mainframe%20into%20an%20ordinary%20TM503/Unusual%20Three%20Wide%20TM%20Mainframe.pdf.
You may have to paste that link back together to use it.
Alternatively you can simply do a search for
Unusual TM503
in the TekScopes files section and find it that way.
Dennis Tillman W7pF

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jared Cabot via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2020 5:07 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TekScopes] Looking for TM503B manual

Ah ha, I guess I'm going blind, I was looking inside for jumpers and completely missed the selector on the rear power switch. :D

Re. Option 2, my unit has the sticker, but no signs at all of any option ever being installed besides one BNC blanking plug missing, but that doesn't necessarily mean much...
Maybe I'll go get a few plugs and jacks and install the option myself one day when I get bored.


Thanks!
Jared.


On Sun, Sep 20, 2020 at 07:26 PM, JoeKoch wrote:


Hi,
Voltage selector is on the back site above the power switch. Pull it
out and rotate it to the correct voltage.
Option 2 is the rear interface, 3 BNC Connectors, 50 pin Sub D
connector on the back site and internal pins.

Joe



-----Urspr¨¹ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von
Jared Cabot via groups.io
Gesendet: Sonntag, 20. September 2020 11:50
An: [email protected]
Betreff: [TekScopes] Looking for TM503B manual

I'm poking away at my TM503B and wondering if anyone has a manual for
this mainframe?
I've found the TM503 manual, but no B version yet.

Failing that, does anyone know how to set the line voltage, and what
Option 2 is?


Thanks!






--
Dennis Tillman W7pF
TekScopes Moderator

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