What did I just buy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 06:17:53 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Systems-component-rack-/121932053389?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=AmEd%252FGGbqNz%252BMKFKLz5yTb%252FY3Fo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncFigured it was worth the price of admission for the 2 10 turn pots, meters and chassis........But what is it!?I am always looking for surplus gear for 10 turn pots...its an obsession.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 07:17:59 am
content: I would guess some sort of analogue trainer, with the leftmost being the function generator part, then a meter, then a counter and finally 2 multiplier units. Guess the FG side is using unijunction transistors from the pulse outputs, and the final side multiplier is likely a classic gilbert cell mixer.

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 07:58:33 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 27, 2016, 07:17:59 amInteresting. Seems like an awful lot of panel space for just a meter! I guess we will see when I pull it apart.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 09:06:56 am
content: Good bargain, your postage is 4 times what you paid, though you probably will be able to get half back from the scrap aluminium alone in the case and covers.

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 09:16:59 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 27, 2016, 09:06:56 amSince Im doing a local pickup, its an even better deal.I will probably recycle the individual modules, planning on keeping the rack box however. I always find myself needing to build things into rack formats and with a new front panel I think this will be pretty nice!I wonder if the rack chassis is a standard off the shelf solution. I know eurocard and Vector-pack were popular before my time.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 09:48:09 am
content: In days gone by someone would have used a panel like that to launch a spaceship, or fight off aliens, or.......Well, you get the idea.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 10:00:45 am
content: Chassis is a standard Eurocard rack, available as a kit including all front and rear panels, and enough hardware to ballast a battleship. If you look up the price of those old connectors at the rear you will die at the price, they are very reliable, though without the matching plugs they are almost useless unless you want to either recover the gold ( thick plating on those) or use the pins as test points on PCB's.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2016, 01:08:14 pm
content: I saw that item and was tempted. The only thing that stopped me was shipping cost. If you got it by local pickup, I'd say you got a pretty good deal.

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2016, 02:04:12 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 27, 2016, 10:00:45 amOkay cool, thanks for the heads up!Yep, I actually have a box of connectors like those. They are beautifully engineered but completely useless. I was hoping to one day need the pins. I like the idea of using them as test point. Might be good on veroboard for prototypes too!Quote from: rdl on March 27, 2016, 01:08:14 pmWhat did you search on Ebay to find it? All of that sellers listings dont have very good titles. I found out about it because I bought some test gear from them a few weeks ago.

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:11:40 am
content: https://imgur.com/a/zkfOJSome interesting bits and boys inside. Cool Philbrick potted modules.