I got a new Keithley 2450 SMU for free... not kidding - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:13:35 pm
content: I entered the Element14 road test for the Agilent 34461A and wrote a small paragraph about what I would do for the review. I did not get picked.Then I saw the Keithley 2450 SMU road test and took the application much more seriously and today I was notified that I will be one of the three road testers. That means I get to keep a $5400.00 SMU just for doing a reviewI spent about 10 hours writing a extensive multi page document of what my review would cover for the application. The notification of the winners stated the choice was not easy. So obviously others submitted extensive applications also.I am still pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming. I hope I don't get any hate posts over thisI will post a link to the Element14 road test review when completed and also post some review here.

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:38:28 pm
content: Waiting for teardown and review

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:44:53 pm
content: +1 and

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:48:43 pm
content: Congratulations! I'm glad it went to someone who can put it through its paces and give a thorough review.I did not apply for that one, as I felt I could not fully test ut or explain some of the subtleties of its operation.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:49:34 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 21, 2013, 01:13:35 pmI hate you!No really, Congrats that is awesome!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 01:49:49 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 21, 2013, 01:13:35 pmYep, Element 14 convince a lot of manufacturers to part with expensive gear. Glad it went to someone who's going to a proper review!

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 02:40:15 pm
content: set it on fire !

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 02:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on October 21, 2013, 02:40:15 pmGuess where that low triboelectric noise cable with triaxial connectors that some very nice gentleman sent me is going to get used? This has rear triaxial connectors with a driven guard

author: quarks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 03:52:21 pm
content: Congratulation!!!

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 03:55:13 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 21, 2013, 02:56:23 pmah , yes that would be an ideal candidate !

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 07:32:56 pm
content: You suck! I hate you so much right now!Just kidding mate. Glad to see someone who would do it justice and deserves it got it.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 07:42:21 pm
content: Better here than elsewhere! Congrats!

author: Galaxyrise
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 07:54:48 pm
content: Grats! I was really hoping at least one of those would go to someone capable of doing it justice.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 08:01:38 pm
content: Looking forward to seeing your review.I really want to see if the touchscreen is as good as they advertise it.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 08:03:01 pm
content: Thanks everyone, I think you guys have more confidence in me than I have in myself

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 08:14:33 pm
content: Congratulations!We expect to see no less than some weird test setup employing a fair amount of master machinist magic.

author: Carrington
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 10:01:09 pm
content: Woow! Congratulations!The truth is that I get a bit envious, LOL...Really I'm happy for you.

author: ovnr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 10:17:42 pm
content: Yup, there might be some hating going on. Just a tiny bit.But then I can feel smug about the fact that yours has a ridiculous touchscreen. Mmmm. Yup, that helps.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 11:26:19 pm
content: Congrats! Just remember:Don't turn it on,Take it apart!Ed

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 12:21:20 am
content: Gratz!Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 01:03:15 am
content: Quote from: ovnr on October 21, 2013, 10:17:42 pmIt does. I signed up for that roadtest...

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 02:56:57 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 21, 2013, 08:03:01 pmActually that is a good sign, cause complacency simply ruins everything from the beginning.Looking forward and eagerly waiting to read another fine work of yours.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 03:16:24 am
content: When you add up all the unpaid hours you put into your hobby, you were due for some compensation.That unit will set the standard in your lab, and will cost you a fortune in equivalent upgrades of other equipment. You just don't know how unlucky you are.

author: true
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 03:34:12 am
content: It's not free. It's 10 hours plus a review. Not free, but a hell of a deal.Quote from: staxquadYeah, he was compensated by what he does. I don't get it.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 02:52:54 pm
content: I am finally confident I was not dreamingsince it showed up yesterday. Out of respect to Element14 I won't post anything but these 2 pics here until I post my review on their site. It is a thing of beauty

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 02:57:24 pm
content: ahahah you deserve it!now make someone else happy.. send me that "useless" Tektronix DM4020 so it doesnt get rusted.. just kiddin

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 04:04:28 pm
content: I think you're going to have a hard time refurbishing this one. It looks to be in pretty good shape already.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 05:22:28 pm
content: Very nice, I can't wait to see more from it.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 05:27:15 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 29, 2013, 02:52:54 pmWanna trade for a good wife?

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 05:27:28 pm
content: How about a drop test?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 05:42:45 pm
content: Initial source voltage and measure voltage tests are impressive:Source and measure 0.1 volt with remote sensing to the 8846A 2.6µV difference in measured value or 26ppm. Max 8846A error for 1 year is +/-6µV Max 2450 error for 1 year spec +/- 212µVSource and measure 1.0 volt with remote sensing to the 8846A 4.9µV difference in measured value or 4.9ppm. Max 8846A error for 1 year is +/-25µV Max 2450 error for 1 year spec +/- 420µVSource and measure 10.0 volt with remote sensing to the 8846A 13.7µV difference in measured value or 13.7ppm. Max 8846A error for 1 year is +/-230µV Max 2450 error for 1 year spec +/- 2500µVThe 2450 spec on current isway way waybetter than the 8846A below 0.1A so the only place I can use the 8846A to check is at 400mA where it is 3x more accurate than the 2450Source and measure 400mA to the 8846A 80µA difference in measured value or 201ppm. Max 8846A error for 1 year is +/-180µA Max 2450 error for 1 year spec +/- 620µALooks like a winner.EDIT: I know I said I wasn't going to post anything else, but I couldn't help myself

author: uoficowboy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 11:32:24 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 29, 2013, 02:52:54 pmFor somebody who appreciates the old boat anchors, I'm surprised you've taken so quickly to such a modern styled device. Thing that scares me with these is the prospect of trying to repair one twenty years from now. Ugh. Not happening.There had better be some tear apart pictures eventually!

author: Kryoclasm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 11:43:42 pm
content: Hoping for a video review!That sucker is sex on a stick!

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 02:58:17 am
content: Have you tried to do a characteristic curve of a diode yet?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 01:22:06 pm
content: So you just had to taunt me with that!12V zener with .1v steps from -16V to 1V current limited to 1A Source voltage / measure currentAs graphed with auto on X and Y axis Y is in linear modeAs graphed with auto on X and Y axis Y is in Logarithmic mode. Notice Amperage is shown as all positiveZoomed on the knee of the Linear Y graphZoomed on the knee of the Logarithmic Y graphZoomed on the forward conduction of the Logarithmic Y graph

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 02:16:30 pm
content: I thought the review would be better on its own threadhere

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 02:26:57 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on October 30, 2013, 01:22:06 pmAs there is no log(0), there can be no zero axis to cross from + to -

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 02:43:12 pm
content: IMO when "log" is used as amethod to show a nonlinear scalethat shows a logarithmic variation in resolutionon a graph.We need to take our mathemetician hats off and do what graphically makes sense. Take the log of the abs value of any negative value and then plot it on the negative side of the chart, in this case below zero.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 03:32:21 pm
content: @ alm I was replying to your post. but its gone

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 08:25:26 pm
content: Quote from: true on October 22, 2013, 03:34:12 amPretty much sums it up.Really though, congrats and enjoy the equipment. On my way to your other thread to watch the review; thanks.