AGILENT 6624A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 05:21:27 am
content: Hi,I can buy an Agilent 6624A for peanuts in perfect condition and mint, cost new about 8500 Euros, I think it is still in production.To use it for a bench power supply I have to add a box with connector to the front since the 4 outputs are the backI appreciate your advice if you have any experience with this power supply.eurofox

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 05:30:09 am
content: i got two. they are built like a tank.you can add bananas to the front.the plastic already has pre-drilled holes. simple punch em through and off you go

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 05:33:39 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on August 26, 2013, 05:30:09 amThanks for your advice, I just got it for 280 Euros(I accepted the counteroffer)eurofox

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 01:23:08 pm
content: That's a reasonable price for europe.Things to watch out for:Certain serial numbers have problems with the transformer connections. They use something called magjack. Basically a displacement connector to comtact the windings. These things were problematic in certain serial numbers because they were not crimped with the correct pressure... The solution is to solder the magjacks down.If your machine has no problems :leave em alone !Check the big capacitors in the supply. The grey ones sometimes went bad. The blue ones (mallory brand) are ok. These caps are HUGE !Everything in this supply is huge by the way. The transformer is immense, it's got like 25 individual windings on it. 4 primaries (110/120220/240) 8 secondaries (full and half voltage per output channel) three assist windings per output channel , and two or three assist windings for the processor board.Each channel has its own processor that uses an optically isolated serial link to the main cpu board.The mian cpu controls display, gpib and keypad. They use rj11 cables and connectors to interconnect the command channel.Lemme see if i can find pictures from when i repaired mine... I'll post a walkthrough.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 03:19:33 pm
content: There's a busted one on bay for $50, seller won't return my email about postage. Says it'll be sent by either fedex or usps. Went and got a quote from both these couriers and its about 500 or so dollars from US to Australia. The thing is supposed to weigh just over 20kg. I recently got something from Texas, 22kg (38lbs) only cost 146, I wish postage costs could be a little more even across the board...

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 04:58:32 pm
content: The problem with the 662x series is they are huge and extremely heavy... this us a 4 unit high 19 inch , deep chassis. with a big honking transformer in the front ( i'd say 1/3 the case is the bloody transformer ! )These are fully isolated , linear supplies.They are meant to be bolted in a system rack , powered up , controlled through GPIB and forgotten for the next 40 years ... quitly doing their work...there is even a version that does not have a front panel. just a power switch and a single LED saying it is 'on'.you really need local pickup... shiping is no-no , especially international. the shipping will cost more than the machine...

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 10:41:34 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on August 26, 2013, 01:23:08 pmThanks for information

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 10:42:26 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on August 26, 2013, 03:19:33 pmNot a problem in my case, is coming from France

author: MetraCollector
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 09:47:04 pm
content: What's inside of it - a brief view:

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 10:58:15 pm
content: Quote from: MetraCollector on August 29, 2013, 09:47:04 pmDakujem Metacolector (yes I can manage with your language, worked 5 year as plant manager in SK)Impressive power supply ..... I will put this on my bench ?Eurofox

author: MetraCollector
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2013, 10:12:08 am
content: Gentlemen, is anybody here with available manual to internal bus communication of this machine please ? Thank you.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2013, 11:56:57 am
content: You got the newer version. Good !- The main controller board is surface mounted technology.- blue capacitors as opposed to grey ones- the parts on the heatsinks are standard transistors on a vertical circuit board. The original supply had a black hybrid circuit there. If those went kaput it was game over. Cant get those anymore. There is a retrofit kit to change to the loose parts.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 06:13:00 pm
content: Arrived todayDisplay brokkenI already ask replacement or display changeeurofox

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 06:27:01 pm
content: That sucks. Bad packaging?Even without display it's still usable via GPIB, which I'm sure provides access to all features, since this is a system power supply. That does not exactly make for a convenient bench supply, however.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 08:00:20 pm
content: Quote from: alm on September 03, 2013, 06:27:01 pmIt is intend to use on my bench, I double check, I got it from ebay and the shipping was provided with insurance so I should get a solution but in the meantime no power supply since I build my home lab from scratch.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 08:39:47 pm
content: display from a 3488 should work. you can find those old switch multiplexers for 30 to 40$ on ebay.

author: samofab
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 08:20:27 pm
content: Hello,in case it helps, I bought a HP 6624A. It arrived with broken display. The display part was: 5181-2813I replaced it with: 5083-3473 and it work like nothing happened.I don't know out of which machine it came, but I bought it from ebay seller veehifreq from Finland.Attaching pictures for your pleasure.

author: pelule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 09:48:27 pm
content: QuoteLike to precise this statement. It is based on an article in the web (and maybe on Dave's video also), but not true for the 6624.The 6624 is a 4x output power supply. There is no space and no holes in the front for the bananas. Here you have to wire from the back connectors to a connecting box.I am using the 6624 since several years that way. Also the noise of the fan is very loud for a work bench. I would recommend to replaced it by a "silent" type (I used an ebm-papst I had in my inventory).