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Re: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
Ah yes, the switch is physically constructed as two gangs of 12 contacts, with two oppositely opposed wipers per gang.
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You can insert some pins to physically limit rotation so the two wipers never pass more than 6 contacts each and that effectively divides each of the 2 gang of 12 contacts with two wipers into 4 gangs of 6 with their own wiper. It had me confused at first and was a little difficult to find, but it is electrically a 4P6T switch. Well, at least it's working as one in my application. :) On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 10:08 PM, Steve Goldstein wrote:
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Re: A question from the unwashed relative to: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
Thank you Harvey! That is pretty much what I had surmised but I was not sure. So, I have three function generators and a few DMM etc... My RTB also has a generator and frequency counter and more. Clearly, I paid for my RTB, but it seems to have almost everything I've needed to learn and explore SO FAR!
Clearly I laud the effort that went into the project. Again, thank you Harvey! larry |
Re: Grid Bias Adjustment on 475A
Tom,
Thanks for setting me straight. Yes, when I draw the simple schematic it's pretty obvious what's happening, and why the measured resistance of the pot has a humped profile (when you reach the middle of the range you get current flowing preferentially through the other leg). Damn. I was really hoping that I had this licked (even though it meant pulling the scope completely apart). So I'm still at a loss to explain what's happening here. I guess I'm going to have to put everything back together, power it up, and probe around the live circuit with a scope, and compare against the sample traces in the schematic. Tally-ho! I guess? -- Jeff Dutky |
Re: Grid Bias Adjustment on 475A
Hi Jeff,
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I misunderstood -- I thought that all of your pot measurements were done with at least 2 terminals isolated. If you did not isolate the terminals, your measurements don't really point to anything specific. To understand why, draw a schematic of the pot (two resistors in series, with their junction brought out as the wiper connection). Now represent the (still-connected) other stuff as resistances that connect each terminal of the pot to the other two terminals of the pot. If you stare at that for a second, you'll realize that an ohmmeter will be measuring things besides the pot itself. You'd only be able to indict the pot for sure if you measured higher than 25k. Measurements that are below 25k would be expected, as all that other stuff is in parallel with the pot. So, you can't conclude that the pot is dead. Indeed, I would say that your pot is most likely just fine. Its resistance is varying as you rotate the wiper, and the values are below 25k. That behavior is inconsistent with the standard failure modes of a pot. --Tom -- Prof. Thomas H. Lee Allen Ctr., Rm. 205 350 Jane Stanford Way Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-4070 On 1/2/2021 01:14, Jeff Dutky wrote:
Tom, |
Re: Grid Bias Adjustment on 475A
Tom,
I measure 2.6 K ohms between the two non-wiper terminals, but the pot is still in circuit, so this is really measuring everything that bridges the +50 V and ground planes in parallel, so is this a meaningful measurement? It seems like I've eliminated every other possible suspects, and I don't have any other explanation for the measurements I've gotten for the pot resistance (but what the heck do I know? Am I wrong about what I expect to measure on a 25 K ohm pot?). But I've come this far, and this scope was never meant to be anything other than a parts mule, so taking it down to the studs seems like the logical next step. -- Jeff Dutky |
Re: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
The ballpark sounds great, count me in!
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Dave S. On Friday, January 1, 2021, 10:31:31 PM PST, Jared Cabot via groups.io <jaredcabot@...> wrote:
On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 06:29 AM, Larry McDavid wrote: One small addendum to this, the PCB's will likely not be black as that is a premium option that adds significant cost. They will most likely come in the usual green (more period accurate! :) ) to save as much on cost as possible. In all other respects they will be identical to what is seen in my video and what is in my hand now. I have also confirmed my design is 100% operational and working correctly on multiple mainframes now. I'll talk to my contacts at PCBWay to see if I can cut a deal for us, but we'll have to be patient for a few days for them to return from holiday. If we were to simply order say 20 sets of the 4 boards with no other discounts etc, it looks like a ballpark figure will be around $35 per set of 4 PCB's, plus additional local shipping etc from Larry as an additional cost. This includes gold plating on the main PCB, and hard gold on the edge connector fingers for added durability with the required chamfering (My PCB just has standard gold all over, so the hard gold is an upgrade). Obviously, the more we get in on the buy, the cheaper it'll become per set. As Larry stated, we'll be working together to get this all sorted as smoothly as possible. :) On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 01:44 PM, Michael W. Lynch wrote: It would require a redesign as you would need to install switches to isolate the transistors for testing, and provide connectors on the front panel etc. so It is out of scope for this project. However, I do have an extender cable project in the works of which it would be trivial to add some test points for the transistors. Stay tuned. :) On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 09:42 AM, Dave Casey wrote: Well there you go, I stand corrected. Actually, thinking about it just now, I do remember seeing some photos of these units around that looked a little more professionally made than any DIY unit. On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 09:39 AM, Dave Casey wrote: This is absolutely correct, I think it was built into a TM500 enclosure for user convenience as it was used solely with the SG505 oscillator IIRC. No reason not to save costs of a TM500 enclosure by sticking it into anything vaguely box shaped available to hand. Tupperware? :D |
Re: Grid Bias Adjustment on 475A
If it is indeed the trimpot, that is an unusual failure mode. I can recall seeing something similar only once, and it was due to a small sliver of solder that managed to bridge the pads connected to the outer two terminals.
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Out of curiosity, what is the resistance you measure between the two non-wiper terminals? --Tom -- Prof. Thomas H. Lee Allen Ctr., Rm. 205 350 Jane Stanford Way Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-4070 On 1/2/2021 00:32, Jeff Dutky wrote:
I lifted one end of C1374 and tested it with my DMM916. It acted much more like a capacitor than like a resistor: while measuring resistance I could see it charge up (the resistance increased over several seconds till it became open circuit) then I switch over to voltage measurement and watched it discharge from about 1.1 V down to 0 V over several seconds). Using the capacitance measure shows this is a 0.8 uF capacitor, which is in spec for a the 1 uF electrolytic shown in the schematic. |
Re: Grid Bias Adjustment on 475A
I lifted one end of C1374 and tested it with my DMM916. It acted much more like a capacitor than like a resistor: while measuring resistance I could see it charge up (the resistance increased over several seconds till it became open circuit) then I switch over to voltage measurement and watched it discharge from about 1.1 V down to 0 V over several seconds). Using the capacitance measure shows this is a 0.8 uF capacitor, which is in spec for a the 1 uF electrolytic shown in the schematic.
i checked CR1371 and CR1373 in circuit using the diode check mode of the 916 and they both measured 0.536 V forward voltage drop. They look good. I measured the trim pot (R1375) while C1373, C1374, and VR1374 were lifted. The trim cap has a range of travel of about 280 degrees: 0 deg = 0 ohms 45 deg = 3.1 K ohms 90 deg = 4.8 K ohms 135 deg = 7.0 K ohms 180 deg = 6.75 ohms 225 deg = 4.3 K ohms 270 deg = 2.7 K ohms The specified value of R1375 is 25 K ohms, and I expect that it should range smoothly from 0 ohms to 25 K ohms. I also verified continuity between R1375 and both the ground and +50 V rails. I checked C1373 (the cap in parallel with VR1374) and it measured as 96.5 nF (it's specced as 0.1 uF on the schematic), so that looks good. VR1374 is not shorted (I didn't check that it's breakdown voltage was 82 V, as I sadly have no way to do that). This really seems to point to the trim pot as the culprit, which means I need to get the main interface board out. Joy. -- Jeff Dutky |
Re: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
Yes, the PCB shops really don't like putting black solder mask on boards.? Not yellow or clear, either.? ?Best to go with standard green.? The other colors mess up their production flow.? ?Jim FordSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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-------- Original message --------From: "Jared Cabot via groups.io" <jaredcabot@...> Date: 1/1/21 10:31 PM (GMT-08:00) To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TekScopes] I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful? On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 06:29 AM, Larry McDavid wrote:>> Note that Jared has updated the main PWB Gerber file and the Instruction > Manual file; if you downloaded those earlier, you need to get the new files.> > Jared and I are discussing how best to order these sets of PWBs. He is > familiar with the ordering details specifying board material, plating > and edge chamfering so I welcome his support on this. I will order the > board sets and repackage and ship them to those who commit to the > purchase. The produced boards should look like those in his YouTube video.>One small addendum to this, the PCB's will likely not be black as that is a premium option that adds significant cost. They will most likely come in the usual green (more period accurate! :) ) to save as much on cost as possible.In all other respects they will be identical to what is seen in my video and what is in my hand now. I have also confirmed my design is 100% operational and working correctly on multiple mainframes now.I'll talk to my contacts at PCBWay to see if I can cut a deal for us, but we'll have to be patient for a few days for them to return from holiday.If we were to simply order say 20 sets of the 4 boards with no other discounts etc, it looks like a ballpark figure will be around $35 per set of 4 PCB's, plus additional local shipping etc from Larry as an additional cost.This includes gold plating on the main PCB, and hard gold on the edge connector fingers for added durability with the required chamfering (My PCB just has standard gold all over, so the hard gold is an upgrade).Obviously, the more we get in on the buy, the cheaper it'll become per set.As Larry stated, we'll be working together to get this all sorted as smoothly as possible. :)On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 01:44 PM, Michael W. Lynch wrote:>> Jared,> > Is there a way to easily bring the EBC of each pass transistor to the front> panel?? These transistors are items that often fail and need to be tested,> especially on these old frames.? Not trying to throw a wrench into the works,> but those pass transistors are a major point of failure and they can cause all> sorts of damage to the plug ins when they are bad.? Even if you could add some> pads near the appropriate connections at the rear to allow those of us who> wanted to add such functionality at our option?> > -- > Michael Lynch> Dardanelle, ARIt would require a redesign as you would need to install switches to isolate the transistors for testing, and provide connectors on the front panel etc. so It is out of scope for this project.However, I do have an extender cable project in the works of which it would be trivial to add some test points for the transistors. Stay tuned. :)On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 09:42 AM, Dave Casey wrote:>> I have one of the originals, and it is almost certainly "Tek" built as> opposed to built from the plans. For one thing, it has a Tek serial number> label and silkscreened front panel.> > Dave CaseyWell there you go, I stand corrected.Actually, thinking about it just now, I do remember seeing some photos of these units around that looked a little more professionally made than any DIY unit.On Sat, Jan? 2, 2021 at 09:39 AM, Dave Casey wrote:>> I believe the notch filter could be built in any form factor. IIRC it does> not use power from the mainframe, so there's no reason it has to be in a> TM-style enclosure.> > Dave CaseyThis is absolutely correct, I think it was built into a TM500 enclosure for user convenience as it was used solely with the SG505 oscillator IIRC.No reason not to save costs of a TM500 enclosure by sticking it into anything vaguely box shaped available to hand. Tupperware? :D
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Re: A question from the unwashed relative to: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
This is correct. I have an FG504 and such a TM504 that I had to correct the phasing on. The FG504 in trying to reach a +-050VDC rail stacks a 32VDC and a 25VAC on top of each other for both positive and negative rails, and if the 25VAC windings are out of phase it never gets there, so the regulator is below its dropout voltage and you get major hum.
EJP |
Re: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 06:29 AM, Larry McDavid wrote:
One small addendum to this, the PCB's will likely not be black as that is a premium option that adds significant cost. They will most likely come in the usual green (more period accurate! :) ) to save as much on cost as possible. In all other respects they will be identical to what is seen in my video and what is in my hand now. I have also confirmed my design is 100% operational and working correctly on multiple mainframes now. I'll talk to my contacts at PCBWay to see if I can cut a deal for us, but we'll have to be patient for a few days for them to return from holiday. If we were to simply order say 20 sets of the 4 boards with no other discounts etc, it looks like a ballpark figure will be around $35 per set of 4 PCB's, plus additional local shipping etc from Larry as an additional cost. This includes gold plating on the main PCB, and hard gold on the edge connector fingers for added durability with the required chamfering (My PCB just has standard gold all over, so the hard gold is an upgrade). Obviously, the more we get in on the buy, the cheaper it'll become per set. As Larry stated, we'll be working together to get this all sorted as smoothly as possible. :) On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 01:44 PM, Michael W. Lynch wrote: It would require a redesign as you would need to install switches to isolate the transistors for testing, and provide connectors on the front panel etc. so It is out of scope for this project. However, I do have an extender cable project in the works of which it would be trivial to add some test points for the transistors. Stay tuned. :) On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 09:42 AM, Dave Casey wrote: Well there you go, I stand corrected. Actually, thinking about it just now, I do remember seeing some photos of these units around that looked a little more professionally made than any DIY unit. On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 09:39 AM, Dave Casey wrote: This is absolutely correct, I think it was built into a TM500 enclosure for user convenience as it was used solely with the SG505 oscillator IIRC. No reason not to save costs of a TM500 enclosure by sticking it into anything vaguely box shaped available to hand. Tupperware? :D |
Re: A question from the unwashed relative to: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
I have heard anecdotal evidence that it was something that was occasionally found in early mainframes.
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When so many mainframes were produced, I'm sure a few slipped through on a tired Friday afternoon or a hungover Monday morning... :D A few modules flat out won't work if one phase is miswired, the FG504 is one of these due to how it uses the transformer windings in its onboard power supply. There is actually a note about it and how to test it in the FG504 manual, so at least Tektronix was aware of the possibility. On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 01:03 PM, Roy Thistle wrote:
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Re: OT Resistor identification
That is the part.
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Thanks Glenn On 1/1/2021 11:38 PM, Don Bitters via groups.io wrote:
Does it look like the pic on the Newark Canada website? --
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Glenn Little ARRL Technical Specialist QCWA LM 28417 Amateur Callsign: WB4UIV wb4uiv@... AMSAT LM 2178 QTH: Goose Creek, SC USA (EM92xx) USSVI LM NRA LM SBE ARRL TAPR "It is not the class of license that the Amateur holds but the class of the Amateur that holds the license" |
Re: A question from the unwashed relative to: I built a TM500 mainframe tester, and updated the design. Someone might find this useful?
Interesting commentary on a test test fixture for TM500 mainframes. it seems there is interest in stuff like this. I'm working on an interface board to enable powering and getting the signal out of a Tek 7000 plugin. Its possibly morphing into a test fixture for them as well. Once its all working I'll share it here.
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