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NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:55:19 +0000
Subject: Re: Favourite Test Equipment
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design,sci.electronics.repair
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From: Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net>
Message-ID: <24979c04-3d96-6fdb-1763-e1a6f9f0a6d1@electrooptical.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:55:18 -0400
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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
>> <trevor@rageaudio.com.au> 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