6 pieces Keithley 2636 Dual system source meters (ebay) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 11:13:35 am
content: I have been asked many time how I find broken instruments... Here is a good example:This is NOT my ebay listing and I have nothing to do with the seller.I just came across these amazing listings!Keithley 2636 Dual system source metersI am not interested in these source meters but they seem to be a very good deal for someone who likes to repair Keithley instruments.Listed on ebay Germany, but seems like the seller is shipping to the EUThe current model goes for£13,200on farnell, (How crazy is that)!http://uk.farnell.com/keithley/2636b/sourcemeter-dual-0-1fa-10a/dp/2249952Here are the listings:www.ebay.de/itm/132270923854www.ebay.de/itm/132270924923www.ebay.de/itm/132270925092www.ebay.de/itm/132270924397www.ebay.de/itm/132270925253www.ebay.de/itm/132270924710It seems to me the seller does not know what he has, nor does he know how to maximise his profit by listing only one at the time.Would be nice to see someone here getting one, taking it apart and show us the repair.

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 11:23:20 am
content: Thanks HighVoltage for the links, I'll try to get one with almost 4 days to finish let's see for how much they will go.

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 12:07:24 pm
content: I am not thankful for this post, because posting it - it will boost winning prices.German ebayers are willing to pay absurdly high prices.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 12:11:28 pm
content: Quote from: razberik on July 27, 2017, 12:07:24 pmAt least one of the prices has gone up 50€ today - wonder whyEarly bidding just pushes the price up. Good for sellers, less so for buyers.

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 12:12:16 pm
content: Yes, consider my previous post partly as a joke.Anyway, thank you for the info

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 12:47:54 pm
content: Broken Keithley gear has increased dramatically on eBay Germany in the last few years.Two years ago, I bought a Keithley 2430 Source Meter for Euro 800 in perfectly working condition actually like new. This is impossible in today's market.Also, what is wrong with Keithley, they have increased their retail prices by 50 to 100%The Keithley 2002 now cost over 8000 Euro and before it was something like 4000+ Euro

author: Echo88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 01:09:55 pm
content: Yeah, now people who look for measurement gear every day on ebay loose to people who dont care and have too much money. When there was even a tiny chance of getting a low price its now gone.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 01:13:05 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on July 27, 2017, 12:47:54 pmWhat's wrong with that, isn't it nice if you can make money by trading second hand instruments ;-)I don't think there is much wrong with those K2636s, it's only the internal buffer battery that's empty and the seller has no idea about that (too lazy/stupid to use google)

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 05:31:18 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on July 27, 2017, 11:13:35 am+1 It'd be a treat to see a teardown and repair on one.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 05:52:41 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on July 27, 2017, 12:11:28 pmI agree. I think 99% of what I buy in Ebay nowdays is through 'buy it now' and/or 'best offer'. I don't bother with auctions because people start bidding wars way too early.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 06:18:44 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 27, 2017, 05:52:41 pmIf it's something interesting I will usually come back to it just before the end and set a snipe, as long as it looks like the final price will be reasonable.With a fixed end time, sniping and the auto-bid behaviour eBay should work as a sealed bid auction, as I said early bidding just pushes the price up.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 06:31:16 pm
content: Quote. That is not fair, Mr.HV.It all depends on how bad you want the item. Sure somebody who have real need in 2636 and feeling risky, will just come at auction and pony up few K$, that usually eliminates typical voltnut/equipment hoarder off the radar.My time-machine says these all will be sold for >1K$ easy

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2017, 10:40:47 pm
content: K$ for K instruments. Seems natural.

author: giovannirat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 11:38:51 am
content: What are the main differences between a Keithley 2636 (items on ebay), a 2636A and a 2636B ?Thanks

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 12:20:26 pm
content: These are probably early K2636s, before A/B was added, so only 5 1/2 digits, 1uV/200V, 1fA/10A and no USB (as seen on pics of the back).http://de.tek.com/support/faqs/what-difference-between-keithley-2636a-and-2636b

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 12:52:39 pm
content: Lucky EU and USA members, I haven't come across anything similar for under $1000 even in broken condition in aus...

author: Magnum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 01:29:51 pm
content: For these units Triax cables are required, the original Keithley cable 2600-ALG-2 is US$ 239,- each (for this unit are at least two required...)

author: Magnum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 01:33:06 pm
content: Quote from: MadTux on July 30, 2017, 12:20:26 pmThese unit have max 1,5 A for up to 20V and max 100mA up to 200V

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 01:43:17 pm
content: Quote from: Rerouter on July 30, 2017, 12:52:39 pmI have not seen many of the Keithley 26xx series SMUs on any ebay in the EU.2 hours to go for the auctions and I am surprised they are not over $1k already. May be because we have holiday time.Quote from: Magnum on July 30, 2017, 01:29:51 pmAnd they are hard to find used, in good condition for an acceptable price.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 02:07:49 pm
content: Quote from: Magnum on July 30, 2017, 01:29:51 pmIf you know where to look, you can make cables yourself for $1 per m and $8 per connector

author: 3db
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 02:34:13 pm
content: @MadTuxWhere ?3DB

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 02:51:24 pm
content: U yelly?Connectors:http://www.ebay.de/itm/Trompeter-PL75-24A-Triax-Triaxial-Cable-Connector-Military-NSN-5935010754440/142261005467?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649Cable, not available any more ;-(http://www.ebay.de/itm/10-m-Triaxial-Kabel-low-noise-triax-triaxialkabel-keithley-keysight-guard-shield-/302385254600?hash=item466790d0c8:g:QOkAAOSwx6pYn2VL

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 02:59:22 pm
content: Quote from: 3db on July 30, 2017, 02:34:13 pmI also found some over time ..They key word to search for is "Trompeter"@MadTuxYou have a nice collection of cables there.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:45:19 pm
content: I was tempted to put in a bid but given that they have all gone for well over 1,600 Euro it would have been pointless bidding a few hundred!

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:46:26 pm
content: Well, all gone to someone more needy. Oh well, I tried

author: Echo88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:47:04 pm
content: You could almost hear the people bidding screaming "NOOOOO FOR FUCKS SAKE *increases bid on the next item that runs out in 20s*"

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:47:29 pm
content: Quote from: jpb on July 30, 2017, 03:45:19 pmThe same, it went for double what I was prepared to pay for "parts or repair" item. People have really deep pockets.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:48:23 pm
content: 1.: Euro 16102.: Euro 16813.: Euro 17244.: Euro 17875.: Euro 16416.: Euro 1810The last one got the most bids (50)So, did anyone here on eevblog buy one?

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:49:46 pm
content: Crazy bidders indeed - prices went up with auction ending time - way off the price is was willing to payFirst 16102nd 16813rd 1724 (same bidder as 2nd)4th 17875th 16416th 1810

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:54:12 pm
content: Holy shit, these prices went insane. Guess I've to stick with my K236/K237 for a while longer. And perhaps list some of my Triax cables. Would be interested in a teardown however, but it's probably fairly crowded/unserviceable inside, (K236/237 is quite full inside, and K2636 is dual SMU in 1/2 size and has higher current capacity).

author: ch_scr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:57:34 pm
content: Im a long time, somewhat infrequent, lurker and have just registered to say "I got ooone". I hope to post pictures soon (for a picoAmp Instrument, i suppose Metrology would be the right place?). Also that pesky battery has to be somewhere in there.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:02:03 pm
content: Quote from: Rerouter on July 30, 2017, 12:52:39 pmNeither in Germany, clearly.Quote from: Magnum on July 30, 2017, 01:29:51 pmThe Keithley 237-ALG-2 is pretty much identical as far as I can tell and is sometimes available cheaper.Quote from: MadTux on July 30, 2017, 02:51:24 pmThe cable is described as low noise, but I see no sign of lubricant between center and guard. Does it perform any better than the cheap Belden 9222 (the yellow stuff)? The thin white cable that used to be available fromthis guydiscussedherewould probably perform better, but is harder to fit to most TRB connectors due to its small diameter.

author: Echo88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:04:32 pm
content: That would be very nice ch_scr! Indeed the Metrology-Section is the right one for it i think, since most people would appreciate a teardown in that section.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:07:54 pm
content: Congratz,ch_scr.We will be very happy to see you in metrology section, and see your endeavors with the unit.I think prices for these actually quite alright, saw even basic 2400 series units go easily over this. Of course, that's assuming units are all complete and don't have half of the boards burned out, which is a guess, as seller used same photos for all listings, which is bit shady. And 26xx series SMU with fancy FPGA and LAN interfaces are modern instruments with good market cost and quite a versatile tool on the bench. Two channels make it even better.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:09:54 pm
content: Quote from: ch_scr on July 30, 2017, 03:57:34 pmWelcome to the forum.That would be great, if you share with us pictures and details of your repair.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:31:55 pm
content: Quote from: Rerouter on July 30, 2017, 12:52:39 pmI don't think there is any lubrication between guard and center. Just an outer slightly conductive (graphite impregnated?) mantle (to minimize triboelectric noise) around the isolation (made of KEL-F?, it isn't Teflon and it has too high melting point to be HDPE or polypropylene). But I doubt this matters if the cable has crocodile clamps on the other end, as the 2600-ALG-2 cables usually found on ebay have.