Legit B+K Precision Sweep Function Generator? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bollio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 08:57:30 pm
content: So purchased this on eBay out of curiosity. Still can't find a single mention of a Model 4009 Function Generator by B+K. Anyone know where this is from? Legit or well made forgery? It's accurate beyond my measuring capabilities, but there are some things about it that shout out fake. Namely, the unlabeled (doesn't seem to do anything either) knob on the front panel and the fact that there isn't a single mention of such a model anywhere on the internet, apart from the actual eBay listing for this exact one! I have enough time to do a full tear down on it, but I did pop it open real quick just to take a quick pic for the EEV! Anyway, curious little device. I can post more pics and such later if you guys want, but better get back to work!

author: bollio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 08:58:33 pm
content: Couple more pics for the time being...

author: bollio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 09:00:34 pm
content: last ones for now...

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 09:32:46 pm
content: Does it claim any certifications that you could look up to see if it's been OEM'd from someone? e.g. FCC, UL/CSAEd

author: bollio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 09:44:57 pm
content: I was thinking the same thing... After some review I was pretty much certain that it was a forgery. After a quick phone call to be in BK Percision they confirmed it is without a doubt 100% fake!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 10:29:05 pm
content: How much did you pay for it? If it is more than $50 I'd return it (Ebay is fierce about fakes!) and get a Feeltech FY3200 series function generator. These have 2 channels and all digital control so it is easier to setup the right frequency, offset, etc.

author: eeadata
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 02:25:47 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 05, 2016, 10:29:05 pmI dont agree you. it seems to be a nice analog Sweep function generator. Far better power supply - amplitude ,linearity , and distortion specs ...

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 03:39:06 am
content: As I posted in the Buy/Sell thread, this is likely to be a Protek / GS Instruments product. It's more likely to be a product that was made for, but never marketed by BK as opposed to an outright counterfeit. Then again, BK Precision seems to have a habit of calling out "counterfeiters" willy nilly these days...

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 03:40:48 am
content: Hi, nidlaX. I was about to post the link you mentioned. Here it is.http://www.globalspecialties.com/test-equipment/signal-generators/item/726-4005.html

author: bollio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 05:15:36 am
content: All in all seems to be a modified version of the one you guys are linking... Upon closer inspection there's a few iffy bodges, a broken mains earth... Some interesting pyramids to add extra surface mount resistors. It may have in fact been some sort of test model or something the oem threw together to try and get BK to pick it up.Not entirely confident in some of the "alterations" on the board. Probably sending it back. Had there been any documentation at all may have hung on to it.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 10:55:08 pm
content: Oh, that's an interesting idea, that someone may have made this as a functional mockup, complete with what the packaging would look like. We may never know for sure.