BK Precision 8500 DC Load Calibration [Solved] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 01:57:42 am
content: I repaired my DC load and now I need to check it against my standards. It appears the cal functions can be done via the serila/TTL interface which I have connected.Does anyone know if it has a calibration program? or anyone done one before? Any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 06:20:03 am
content: With many repairs there would be no expected effect on the readings. So chances are one would only need to check and no new adjustment.

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 08:12:55 am
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on July 06, 2025, 06:20:03 amI agree, calibrate it before you start adjusting it. See sig for more info.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 09:24:37 pm
content: There appears to be a bit of software that would have come with the CDROM for this instrument.https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1765380.pdfSee table under "Getting started".Controller Program and Software driver:Power View PV8500 softwareCalibration PC8500 softwareActive driver PD-8500 OCX softwareI have the driver and the Power View software but not the PC8500 Calibration software. I've seen it referenced by two members on the board and I've sent them DMs but I have little hope given neither have visited in years.Thanks in advance!

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 06:57:20 pm
content: I'm still waiting to hear back from B&K but a helpful EEVblog member was able to get me squared away with the proper tool to check cal and adjust.I'm good to go so I'm closing this out for my purposes as "Solved".Thank you all.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 07:03:10 pm
content: And B&K did respond and provided the alignment/cal software.A fantastic company that is committed to supporting their products even those that are "Obsolete".Cheers!

author: Songhua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2025, 08:51:21 pm
content: Could you share the alignment/cal software for BK Precision 8500? Thank you so much!

author: SpikedCola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 06, 2025, 11:59:54 pm
content: You can download it directly from B&K's website:https://bkpmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/software/PC85xx.zipI found the link to PV85xx.zip onhttps://www.bkprecision.com/products/vids/8500and tried changing the link to PC85xx - it works!

author: Songhua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2025, 03:17:00 am
content: Thanks for sharing.Can we have the calibration software for BK 8601?:https://www.bkprecision.com/products/dc-electronic-loads/8601I tried with this by changing the file name toPC86xx.zip:https://bkpmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/software/PC86xx.zipbut it didn't work.Yet I don't know whether the calibration file PC85xx.zip can work with BK 8600.

author: SpikedCola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 08, 2025, 06:10:23 pm
content: Hi Songhua, I looked but didn't see any calibration software for BK 8601. The same as you, I also tried renaming the link to PC86xx/PC8600 but was not able to find the file.In the instructions for PC8500 they list a number of different 85xx models for calibration, but they do not list any 86xx models.A previous commenter indicated B&K replied to emails for support, I can only suggest to try contacting them. Good luck!

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2025, 08:09:05 pm
content: The software almost certainly wouldn’t be compatible as the interfaces are vastly different between these models.