You know how sometimes the Universe just sends you signals, perhaps to remind you that you are on the right path?
Well, this morning I received a phone call from the man who often supplies test equipment. He has a friend who buys up the assets of failed companies and when test stuff appears, I generally get a call. They just want rid of it and often pretty much give it away. I've bought too much to remember, however two items which spring to mind are spectrum analyzers, a HP 8569B for (the equivalent in Brazil) less than 20 Dollars and a Tek 492 for 35 Dollars. Both with failed PSU's and both fully functional following simple repairs. Insane! Although I mustn't forget the 'dead' (yet calibrated) Fluke 289 for 40 Dollars which only had a bad battery connection and is now my most accurate DMM.
Anyways, I digress... This morning, he rings me up to offer me two scopes for 50 Dollars. Would you believe it that one was a 2430A!?!? Lol
The other was/is a TAS 465 which he said was missing a board, but looking at the manual and a teardown, it appears to be complete. The problem being that it only displays a stationary 'dot' in the middle of the display.
So, opening up the new 2430A, revealed that on the top board, two tantalums had totally burned up, ironically including the 2.7?F one mentioned earlier in this thread..
Seemed reasonable to just switch the board from my blurry 2430A and sure enough the 'new' scope came to life, displaying the diagnostic menu et al.
Unsurprisingly it has various 'FAILS' however, it now gives the opportunity to switch boards and Hybrids in order to hone in on any problems.
The TAS 465 shall have to wait.
Addendum... The TAS 465 (which had been left plugged in but off) just went pffffftah! and dumped out a whole load of smoke. Guess I now know where to start.. :)
James
James55