XPost: sci.electronics.design   
   From: ehsjr@verizon.net   
      
   On 4/11/2024 3:42 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:   
   > On 2024-04-11 13:11, john larkin wrote:   
   >> On Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:55:18 -0400, Phil Hobbs   
   >>  wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> On 2024-04-10 16:30, Trevor Wilson wrote:   
   >>>> On 11/04/2024 3:42 am, Cursitor Doom wrote:   
   >>>>> On Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:40:02 +1000, Trevor Wilson   
   >>>>>  wrote:   
   >>>>>   
   >>>>>> On 1/04/2024 4:41 am, Cursitor Doom wrote:   
   >>>>>>> Hi all,   
   >>>>>>>   
   >>>>>>> I'm starting to get a bit fed up with having my test equipment   
   >>>>>>> blow up   
   >>>>>>> just when it's needed. This is the drawback with vintage gear; if   
   >>>>>>> it's   
   >>>>>>> not used frequently then it can go *bang* the next time you   
   >>>>>>> switch it   
   >>>>>>> on. It makes for good practice in repairing stuff, but wastes a   
   >>>>>>> lot of   
   >>>>>>> time which could be better spent doing other things.   
   >>>>>>> I think it's time I modernised my test gear. I was just wondering if   
   >>>>>>> anyone has any recommendations they can share. Is there a particular   
   >>>>>>> piece of test equipment you couldn't live without? Something you're   
   >>>>>>> particularly impressed with? I'd be interested to know so I can   
   >>>>>>> perhaps acquire said item and thereby reduce the number of   
   >>>>>>> explosions   
   >>>>>>> I experience.   
   >>>>>>>   
   >>>>>>> Thanks,   
   >>>>>>>   
   >>>>>>> CD.   
   >>>>>>   
   >>>>>> **In my 55 years of servicing, I've only blown up one thing: A   
   >>>>>> Micronta   
   >>>>>> DMM, which I connected to a laser power supply. I should not have   
   >>>>>> done   
   >>>>>> it. Clear operator failure. Everything else works just fine. Even my   
   >>>>>> first multimeter. A Sanwa U-50D my dad gave me on my 14th birthday.   
   >>>>>> Still works fine. My first DMM. A cheap 'n cheerful SOAR. Works just   
   >>>>>> fine. My first Fluke meter. A 40 year old Fluke 85. Works fine.   
   >>>>>> I've had   
   >>>>>> to clean the switch a few times. Otherwise, no problems. Ditto my   
   >>>>>> other   
   >>>>>> 15 or so meters. Same deal with my 'scopes.   
   >>>>>>   
   >>>>>> I don't know what your problem is. Test equipment, when treated   
   >>>>>> properly   
   >>>>>> lasts a long time.   
   >>>>>   
   >>>>> To be fair, these "explosions" are typically capacitors: old, dried   
   >>>>> -out electrolytics in test gear that hasn't been used in a long time   
   >>>>> go bang when the power's switched on - as do old X2 safety caps. Those   
   >>>>> are the chief culprits IME.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> **Oh, I see. You ignore regular maintenance. That makes sense. I   
   >>>> hope no   
   >>>> one buys a car from you.   
   >>>>   
   >>>   
   >>> Whereas all you Ozites are 100% rational reasonable polite beings who   
   >>> are always on top of everything, including predicting the exact date   
   >>> when an old cap will give up the ghost.   
   >>>   
   >>> Silly me for forgetting. ;)   
   >>>   
   >>> Cheers   
   >>>   
   >>> Phil Hobbs   
   >>   
   >> You don't routinely replace caps in all your test gear? I'm shocked,   
   >> shocked.   
   >   
   > Sad but true. ;)   
      
   Sad, yes,  but look at the bright side: at least you won't   
   be shocked by a charged cap you are replacing...   
      
   Ed   
     >   
   > Cheers   
   >   
   > Phil Hobbs   
   >   
      
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