Agilent 54622A eBay Score - anything to be aware/wary of? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jack_elec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 07:36:52 am
content: Hi everyone,Just scored myself an Agilent 54622A off eBay for an absolute bargain and looking for any advice/experiences. It was sold as parts/not working, however in the listing the seller explained this was pretty much just to cover their back and it could work absolutely fine. Looking at the pictures closely, the scope boots up and appears to show a signal (just noise from unconnected inputs - but scaled with two different V/div settings) and the pictures show it in both normal and FFT modes so obviously the interface is working. So I reasoned it would be worth a punt for £100.The scope hasn't arrived yet but does anyone know of any typical/common faults for this unit (thinking along the lines of bad tantalums in some Tek scopes etc.) or any modifications/replacements which need to be done to make it more reliable? I plan to open it up and give it a clean out of dust and probably check the PSU voltages when it arrives but any other advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!

author: brozier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 08:57:18 am
content: Earlier series scopes had issues with the mains filters have a look at this threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hp-54501a-restoration-and-calibration/Probably worth checking to see if yours uses the same part.The Keysite web site will have all the manuals...http://www.keysight.com/en/pd-1000000810%3Aepsg%3Apro-pn-54622A/portable-dso?cc=US&lc=engCheers

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 09:23:49 am
content: Free_Electron on here knows about the repair of these and has mentioned it on here somewhere.A common PSU fault if IIRC...

author: Micke
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:17:43 am
content: I have a 54622D which I am very happy with, great scope!I can recommend using the old Intuilink application (the older version even works on my Windows 7, whilst the newer did not work) to transfer waveform data and screenshots to your computer.The main thing I miss compared to newer scopes is protocol decoding...One thing to keep in mind is the soldered lithium backup battery (CR-2354), I think I have read the scope does not even boot up if the voltage is too low.I have not changed battery in my scope yet, but maybe good to do this in preventive action... however it seems quite difficult to change, you have to rip apart the scope quite much to be able to change it

author: jack_elec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:32:53 am
content: Great thanks very much for the heads up about the mains input filter and the backup battery, I will check them out when it arrives.As I said it was a bit of a punt but appeared to be working fully on the pictures - I managed to get it for just £100 (excluding postage) which I was quite happy with considering it's my first foray into digital scopes (I have an old Tek 2213 which is great but obviously doesn't have the measurement/capture capability of a digital scope).

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:45:22 am
content: Quote from: jack_elec on June 02, 2016, 11:32:53 amI'd say for moving on from an analog scope you couldn't get a better scope than the HP/Agilent 54600 Series, which was designed as exactly that - replacements for analog scopes.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:58:00 am
content: Quote from: jack_elec on June 02, 2016, 07:36:52 amCollected from Leeds?Git, I was going to have a punt on that one and missed by a few minutesHope it's all working though, the seller seemed rather vague and didn't respond to questions plus it's spares/repair.Good luck

author: jack_elec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 12:27:10 pm
content: Quote from: CJay on June 02, 2016, 11:58:00 amHaha that's the one! I was really surprised that it didn't get any bids on it - even though it was spares or repairs I would've thought more people would've been interested.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 12:47:25 pm
content: Quote from: jack_elec on June 02, 2016, 12:27:10 pmYeah, I spotted it half way through yesterday and by the time I'd got home, sorted the various domestic bits I had to do, it had finished and you got it.I do hope it all works, looks like it'd come up really nicely with a little bit of elbow grease.

author: jack_elec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 02:34:55 pm
content: Just a quick update, scope arrived early last week and only got home from uni today so was the first chance I had to have a look.In short - it works perfectly! No problems whatsoever, passes all self tests & user cal, backup battery is fine and doesn't appear to use the dodgy mains input filter of the earlier series - it's all on the PSU PCB. Inside it's immaculate, pretty much no dust whatsoever, just the front panel needs a good clean.A couple of negatives though:-The fan in this is quite whiny and loud, I will probably get round to replacing it at some point with a quieter version.-The knobs appear to have suffered from HP 'sticky knob syndrome' and the plastic/rubber surrounds are quite gummed up and sticky. Does anyone have any particular tips for cleaning them before I just do my usual of mild detergent and a scrubbing brush?

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2016, 02:55:47 pm
content: The knobs became sticky if you try to clean them with IPA, or any other type of cleaner. Also, dont rub them or clean them with paper towel, they will be worse. Actually I've found that as they dirty up the stickiness is gone.Once I repaired a scope like this, it had a broken front panel plastic PCB retention clip. You could not press the first button.Congrats for the scope. They are great.