counter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2020, 08:56:39 pm
content: I was given a Atec 535 counter by an evil person who included nothing with it. searched everywhere and found nothing. this is my second chance. Anyone have suggestions how I can find anything about it?

author: Mp3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2020, 09:31:30 pm
content: Is it definitely BY atec which seems to deal in equipment rental, not actual manufacturer? Post a picture of it?

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 12:06:27 am
content: cant seem to upload pic files. will keep trying

author: ArthurDent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 12:30:19 am
content: Almost no information found other than the Atec 535 appears to be 5 digit display (maybe nixie tube) with individual transistor plug-in cards for each digit. Frequency range may be 2Hz to 350Khz. So it probably was made about 50 years ago.

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 03:03:28 pm
content: Here are photos.

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 03:13:06 pm
content: thanks Mp3, Arthur, Yes, it does have Nixie tubes and seems beautifully built, which is why im suprised I cant find a manual and schematic.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 05:46:16 pm
content: It at least superficially resembles the HP 5214L preset counter, though the circuitry is likely different. The input attenuators certainly are.Can you pop the cover and take some photos of the inside? Does it work, or have you not yet fired it up? Power supply rails would be something to check, for starters. I've had to restuff a few filter caps on HP gear of similar ilk and vintage.Id love to see you get it up and running!-Pat

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 05:54:27 pm
content: Quote from: barn54 on May 09, 2020, 03:13:06 pmIt is very nice. I would turn it into a digital clock...love the nixies.Hey check this out. I noticed the Houston, TX on the label (I've spent a little time there).https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atec,_Inc.These guys supported aerospace and military...probably a very nice piece of gear!!And then there is this:

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 05:59:50 pm
content: thanks Pat. packed and moving but will open and take some pics in a few days.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2020, 07:41:20 pm
content: Quote from: barn54 on May 09, 2020, 05:59:50 pmCool - I look forward to seeing them. Good luck with the move.-Pat

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 08:32:31 pm
content: Some photos of the interior:

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 08:58:16 pm
content: Nice pictures.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:06:28 pm
content: Thanks for the pics - it looks much different than I expected it would, though I'm much more used to the HP style designs where the digits were mounted on the decade counter boards. Looks like late 1966-ish based on the date codes I can see.-Pat

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:17:36 pm
content: youre right about the company. thanks. Have to say the build quality is great.Really confused. contacted Atec Haven't heard anything. Be a shame to fail getting a schematic. I dont even know if the boards were replaced in the right direction, or slot for that matter. being new at this id be afraid of blowing up my bench along with my wife..maybe ill experiment a little..

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:43:53 pm
content: A look from the bottom to see where the various harnesses go would help to suss out which board does what. I'd expect duplication of the inputs, five boards (or sets of boards) to count and drive the nixies, and perhaps one for each of the decade setting switches. There are a few empty slots, which is a bit concerning (did someone permanently 'borrow' a board to fix another unit?), but without knowing what does what it's hard to be certain. Some HP gear would have empty slots for options that might not have been installed, so it's not an absolute indication that something's been removed.-Pat

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:49:01 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on May 09, 2020, 05:46:16 pmNixe Tubes AND a mechanical "odometer" counter? Wow!! That's cool!

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:32:48 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 15, 2020, 09:49:01 pmActually, it's called a "preset" counter - the odometer looking thing is a set of thumbwheel switches to enter the preset value. They can be used to make the counter signal after (n) events have happened, after (n) seconds have passed, how long it takes for (n) events to occur, and probably a few other I can't think of off the top of my head.-Pat

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:39:20 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on May 15, 2020, 09:06:28 pmYup, somewhere around 1966, all discrete transistors, probably PNP Germanium, too. Unless you really want to have a very obsolete museum-piece, I don't know what you want to do with it. Do you have any test gear? I think a scope will be pretty necessary to debug it. Have you turned it on? Does it do anything?Jon

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 09:32:13 pm
content: have no scope yet Jon. Coming next week. just retired and setting up a shop of sorts. without a schematic this will be above me and if I'm unsuccessful getting one I might use this in the garden.

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:28:22 am
content: Quote from: barn54 on May 17, 2020, 09:32:13 pmNOooooooooooooooooooooo!Where do you live in these USA?

author: barn54
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 03:05:13 am
content: buffalo, ny area. its ok. if I spray it deer won't eat it

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:59:06 pm
content: Quote from: barn54 on May 18, 2020, 03:05:13 amLOL, good answer. As long as they are not Fallow deer--those are essentially goats--eat everything