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TM500 a reasonable choice for my novice needs?
Found this group and my enjoyment of Tektronix equipment a couple years ago while fixing my 2213A.
My repair bench doesn't have a power supply, signal generator, counter etc. I find myself needing a power supply and was wondering if the TM500 system would be something reasonable for me to get or if it would potentially be a nightmare as a novice (such as needing difficult to find parts/becoming a constant project due to sudden failures) According to what i've read on here and in posts, the PS503A would likely be as much as i'd need for repairing vintage stereo receivers and other random projects, or may I be mistaken? I have a labcart3 and the TM504 appears to be the largest mainframe able to connect to the bottom bracket. Thank you for any insight, gentlemen. |
I've got a slew of TM500 equipment, and while some of it is non-functional, the power modules and plug-ins that are working have been pretty reliable. A PS503A is a nice little power supply, though you can get good stand-alone units pretty cheaply these days, so it's not a slam-dunk. With the exception of the calibration fixtures I have not had any trouble sourcing replacement parts for plug-ins or power modules. The most troublesome components have been the LED displays, and that's just because I've been trying to get original parts: I think that I could replace most of the 7-segment LED modules with modern parts without too much trouble.
The TM504 is a nice compromise between capability and size. It has one of the high power slots, which you probably want if you're going to use a power supply plug-in, and it's not nearly as ungainly as a TM506, which is an absolute monster (and would not fit under your cart, as you observed). I like the TM503, but it lacks a high power slot, so it's not the best choice to use a power supply in. It's very nice for working on malfunctioning plug-ins, however, and it makes a good home for my calibration fixtures. -- Jeff Dutky |
Dear Guy: Bonjour,
Been using TM500 since 1971, accumulated about 60 plugins from ham fleas, auction, ebay, swapping, silent keys. Indeed TM504 is a grat choice, the TM506 is rack size and TM503 compact but no hi power slot. We use TM510 for a single plugin an dTM502 for dual or special purpose. The classics are: Power supplies Generators Calibrators DVM counters Audio gen and analyzers Scope Sp¨¦cial purpose eg curve tracers A few of my choices: PSU PS503A Funct Gen FG502 Sine gen pulse gen PG50x Counter DC50x Avoid the DVMs ans many have bad readouts and the CM voltage is not good, bettwe to use a bench DVM or separate from the TM50x. Search ebay, BUT be very careful; with shipping of the mainframes heave and easy to damage. Plugins are often bad even if the seller claims they work, but most are easy to fix. Beware of damaged front panel controls, of BNCs indicates maltreatment. Bon Chance Jon |
Curve tracer?
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DaveD On Dec 24, 2021, at 05:08, Jean-Paul <jonpaul@...> wrote: |
It might be however it might not be as well. Given the cost of some of the TM equipment on the secondary market I have seen lately when I take in to account the "power frame" and the plugin with what some people are asking I am in the range of a Rigol DP832 (non A) you will need at LEAST a 4 bay power frame to take full advantage of the power supply (high power port) as well as both the frame AND plug in are getting up there in age and will most likely need at least a recap on the electrolytics. Power frames can have pass element issues these are power transistors in the frame but most plugins use them in some way. Also given there size most TM units run hot. I prefer the active cooling of the 5000 frames. You can safely put a 500 plugin in a 5000 frame, but a 5000 plugin will not work in a 500 frame. I have had to recap a 5000 frame even so even these are not immune. Here are some known issues with some of the plugins. I have also found some of the plugin like the FG501A and FG507 cramped to use. Lots of functionality in not a large space.
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Frequency counters - Display issues with extremely hard to source replacements. Function generators - a very interesting design can sometimes be a head scratcher to fix mine had some weird faults in the sine wave output there are some videos on this I can send you the links off list if you are interested. Also cramped front panel Power supplies - Will need a basic recap most likely there are 2 large electrolytics on the outputs. Now the good stuff. SG505 - Ultra low distortion oscillator - even in modern gear I have not found better when it comes to distortion specs FANTASTIC plugin. Try for a Mod 1, Mod 2 is VERY rare AA501 and AA01A - another fantastic plugin for distortion analysis I am fortunate to have one of each in the lab. I personally like the display on the AA501A a little better. The automatic notch filter and analyzer is wonderful to use give is signal get a distortion measurement. Spec wise this also beats my HP E4411B spec an for measurement. At least in the AF the E4411B goes to 1.5 Ghz however the AA501 and A both run out of gas around 100 Khz if I remember correctly. SG502 - a really nice clean and simple sine wave generator low distortion just not (ULTRA Low) but still respectably low. That being said MOST of the TM gear on my bench has needed repair some extensive. And all of it has needed calibration they have not had an easy life up until this point. I still need to confirm the output of my SG505s but I have confirmed them to the limits of my measurement ability at the moment. -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of guy232 Sent: Friday, December 24, 2021 12:11 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [TekScopes] TM500 a reasonable choice for my novice needs? Found this group and my enjoyment of Tektronix equipment a couple years ago while fixing my 2213A. My repair bench doesn't have a power supply, signal generator, counter etc. I find myself needing a power supply and was wondering if the TM500 system would be something reasonable for me to get or if it would potentially be a nightmare as a novice (such as needing difficult to find parts/becoming a constant project due to sudden failures) According to what i've read on here and in posts, the PS503A would likely be as much as i'd need for repairing vintage stereo receivers and other random projects, or may I be mistaken? I have a labcart3 and the TM504 appears to be the largest mainframe able to connect to the bottom bracket. Thank you for any insight, gentlemen. |
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On 12/24/2021 12:10 AM, guy232 wrote: Found this group and my enjoyment of Tektronix equipment a couple years ago while fixing my 2213A.The TM500 series is older, and generally does not have a microprocessor in it.? The TM5000 series has a microprocessor, HPIB interface (which can be ignored if you don't need it now), and much more of a push button interface.?? The 500 frame has unregulated linear supplies, the 5000 frame has regulated (when needed) supplies and a fan.? Most (but not absolutely all) TM500 series plugins will work in a TM5000 frame.? No TM5000 plugin will work in a TM500 frame (the HPIB/IEEE-488 interface connectors have no matching connector), unless you severely mutilate the TM5000 plugin.?? Even then, results not guaranteed. I've got most of the plugins, but certainly not all. Power supplies:? 0-20 volts bipolar and 4-5 volts at 3 amps or so.? This is the typical op/amp 7400 series TTL supply.? While that's a good supply, for development work it lacks meters, so you'll need some.? I find that 0-30 volts at about 3 amps (not TMxxxx) is a better range for my projects.? If you ever go to 3.3 volt logic, you'll end up having to build in regulators in the project and feed the boards from 5 volts (I do). The signal generators are decent, the low distortion sine wave generators are nice for audio testing, and the AA series audio analyzer is very good for distortion analyzing.? The combination is highly sought after by audiophiles who drive up the price. There's an equivalent in the TM5000 series. Meters are somewhat useful, but most useful if you need multiple 3-4 digit meters.? I use a 6 digit DMMs, but only one or two of them.? Anything otherwise has less precision. Pulse generators are good if you need them. Function generators are just that.? They are not low distortion sinewave sources. Frequency counters are good, there are quite a few.? Generally limited to 200 - 250 Mhz, although there is a 1 Ghz model. Of particular note are the PG506 and TG501.? Those are specifically designed for oscilloscope calibration and have outputs in the 1-2-5 input sequence used in the older Tektronix scopes.? They're a bit harder to find, but if you have more than one oscilloscope and are interested in such, can be recommended. There are oscilloscope plugins, which can be used to create a portable (TM515) measurement system.? Most are about 10 Mhz in bandwidth with a maximum of 80 Mhz for the SC504. There are many many other specialized plugins, some of which are quite rare, and most of which I don't have. There are some cases when a plugin in the TM500/TM5000 frames could be better replaced by a plugin in a 7000 series frame. The 7CT1N is a low power transistor curve tracer, much sought out by audiphiles to match transistors, and often needed when trying to replace matched pairs of transistors in some Tek equipment. Expensive, though.? There are other alternatives. The 7D12 is a digital plugin that has, amongst others, a gated sampling peak reading DC voltmeter.? Feed it a B gate, and as you slide the B gate around (A intensified by B mode) you get an accurate reading of that voltage. the 7D15 is a 225 Mhz counter that uses the scope's readouts to display the count.? I generally keep one in the A horizontal slot and a 7B92A in the B horizontal slot. I've shifted mostly to TM5000 series where possible, simply because I intend to automate some tasks. I have a labcart3 and the TM504 appears to be the largest mainframe able to connect to the bottom bracket.Yep, you might find using a TM504 for the cart, and perhaps a TM506 or TM5006 for the bench. Harvey |
Yep, can't get there from here.? You might consider building a curve tracer in a TM500 or TM5000 frame, though.? Assuming you need one.
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Harvey On 12/24/2021 7:29 AM, Jean-Paul wrote:
oops confused my TEK 7000 scope plug-ins 7CT1N with the adjacentes pile of TM500 stuff.... |
walter shawlee
TM500 units have proven to be very handy for me, I have them on almost every workbench, and have several of the high end scope modules, plus all the other goodies.
Look for the later polycarbonate front panels rather than the anodized ones (scopes only come anodized) to get the latest designs and best lifespan. I find a fluke or Tek DMM to be much better than one in the frame, although I do have some of the high end ones. A fluke 87 remains may favorite. Using a TM504 you can get the best stuff all in one rack, and it is certainly easier to work with and more compact that an assortment of discrete boxes. keep in mind, all the pushbutton units will need a bit of de-oxit through the rear of the switch to make them stay working due to the silver-plated contacts. I'd rate them an 8-9/10, and still happy with mine. all the best, walter sphere research corp. |
Good day,
wow, I think Harvey has covered it all pretty nicely. May I just add that a TM500 mainframe such as a TM501/502/503?still makes a?nice platform for DIY projects. You can buy a defect TM500?plugin or a mechanically compatible plugin for the?5000 oscilloscope?series (note: electrically incompatible which also includes the rear connector) for little money. And then design & make?your custom board and front panel?as you have all sorts of supply voltages plus a nice, space saving setup¡I did take advantage of that when I built a simple electronic load several moons ago. Let me know if you are interested in seeing?more details¡ Have a great festival season, all! Greetings from Bavaria, Germany. Cheers, Magnus |
Oh, and I should mention, avoid the heck out of the DM5010.? It has a NiCd battery on the processor board for calibration constants.? Out of 3, I've never seen one where the battery has not leaked.? *IF* you can repair the board to store the constants (the CMOS RAM gets physically damaged by leakage, often), you will need to recalibrate the meter.? Recalibration needs DC voltages to 1000 volts and AC voltages to about 600.
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Not sure about any other 5000 series DMM, but I'd avoid that unless you get them for about 10 USD or so. Harvey On 12/24/2021 10:56 AM, Harvey White wrote:
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On 12/24/2021 11:46 AM, magnustoelle via groups.io wrote: Good day,Thank you. May I just add that a TM500 mainframe such as a TM501/502/503?still makes a?nice platform for DIY projects. You can buy a defect TM500?plugin or a mechanically compatible plugin for the?5000 oscilloscope?series (note: electrically incompatible which also includes the rear connector) for little money. And then design & make?your custom board and front panel?as you have all sorts of supply voltages plus a nice, space saving setup¡I did take advantage of that when I built a simple electronic load several moons ago. Let me know if you are interested in seeing?more details¡From what I can find out: 1) you can likely use the top and bottoms of 7000 series scope plugins (perhaps more available), but you'd have to trim the rails a bit shorter.? You might find that the extra length may even be useful. 2) a plugin board for the frame that breaks out the power and signals can be designed.? It won't fit in the 100 cm by 100 cm cheap limit for the Chinese board houses.? Beveled edges would be a good idea and perhaps gold plating for the connector fingers. 3) a front panel can be 3D printed, and might even look somewhat authentic.? You'd have to pick an aluminum colored filament, though.? Depending on what you'd be doing, I could almost suggest a small touchscreen display and an electronic set of switching, given the price of processor boards.? There are tricks to making a front panel that might duplicate the original look. Harvey Have a great festival season, all! |
If anyone has any that are toast (DM5010) let me know I would be interested. Uncalibrated is fine.
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Zen -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Harvey White Sent: Friday, December 24, 2021 1:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TekScopes] TM500 a reasonable choice for my novice needs? Oh, and I should mention, avoid the heck out of the DM5010. It has a NiCd battery on the processor board for calibration constants. Out of 3, I've never seen one where the battery has not leaked. *IF* you can repair the board to store the constants (the CMOS RAM gets physically damaged by leakage, often), you will need to recalibrate the meter. Recalibration needs DC voltages to 1000 volts and AC voltages to about 600. Not sure about any other 5000 series DMM, but I'd avoid that unless you get them for about 10 USD or so. Harvey On 12/24/2021 10:56 AM, Harvey White wrote: Replies interleaved: |
I have a DM5010 I am not using, and would be interested is selling or trading. I have changed the battery and cleaned up very minor leakage (no repair to the boards if I recall).
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It does need to be calibrated and I don¡¯t have the time to repair my broken Fluke amplifier to get the requisite voltages > 100V that my 5200a calibrator does by itself. -- Joe Laffey On Dec 24, 2021, at 9:58 PM, Zentronics42@... wrote: |
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