Another fault with the Rigol DS1052E, Help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: westfeild
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 03:50:21 pm
content: Hi, can anyone help with my Rigol fault?From cold when switched on channel 1 starts at -4 or -5 volts and over a 15 minute period slowly moves up to 0v ground so i have to turn it on set it to 2mv/d and wait at least 30 minutes before it reads 0v then it stays acurate, channel 2 works fine.I imported it from Hong Kong through a dealer in the USA they have said its faulty and to return but i'm reluctent incase it gets lost in transit (plus the cost) and so i am considering breaking the seal and voiding the warranty.Has anyone else had this problem?........should have said im from the UK.Should have also said that this is with no input/no probes connected

author: matthewell
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 08:53:26 pm
content: first thing i would check is when you change the voltage range can you hear the relay clicking on and off?thanksmatt

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 08:55:22 pm
content: Also, does it happen on both AC and DC channel modes?If you give the scope a gently but firm shake does it fix the issue?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 09:04:14 pm
content: maybe try it in DC mode with a shorted probe connected ? run calibration ?

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 09:07:52 pm
content: Have you run a self-calibration through the options menus?

author: westfeild
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 09:28:51 pm
content: Hi all,I can here the relays clicking when changing the amplitude,It does it in both AC & DCRecalibrating makes no differenceTo me and i'm no expert but it seems like it's out of range from cold and slowly reaches a reference point, i.e either a rise in voltage or temperature, this is why i am tempted to crack it open and void the warranty.Aslo what it does is if i trigger it before its reached normal 0v ground then it stays fixed at what ever -0v it was atThanks for the response, Paul.

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 09:44:46 pm
content: If you're not prepared to send it back under warranty then there's not much point in preserving the warranty by not opening itHave you the means to diagnose/repair if you do open it?

author: westfeild
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 10:06:47 pm
content: Hi,It's basically a gamble because if i send it back i may not see it again (no scope lose £243 plus shipping) if i open it and its a cap or the like then that's OK but if its a more complex chip then i have not got the experience., third option would be to live with it because it is accurate if I'm prepared to warm it up for 30 Min's before use, but annoying for a 5 month old item.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2012, 11:46:56 pm
content: Did you try asking the UK distributor nicely whether they can do anything for you, like repair it for < £243, even though you tried to save a few bucks by importing it yourself? You could for example try ask Joy at MCS, who posts here occasionally. Of course they have no obligation to help you since they didn't get any money from the sale, but it never hurts to ask.This is a good example of the risks of buying bulky, expensive items from overseas.£243 shipping is awfully expensive, that's close to the price of a new scope. I wouldn't be to worried about loss (just don't pack it in the original retail box), and I would probably chose the cheapest non-surface mail option (air mail is probably the only option anyway), £243 sounds like a courier, a modern low-end scope is not that heavy.

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2012, 05:17:03 am
content: Quote from: westfeild on January 14, 2012, 10:06:47 pmNo sure but shouldn't you be dealing with Rigol directly for warranty claims and not the distributor?

author: vtl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2012, 08:44:21 am
content: Don't they refund the shipping cost since they sent you a faulty unit? Its not going to get lost in transit if its tracked and insured.I voided the warranty the day I got mine. I put a dropper resistor on the fan to reduce the noise. I recall the warranty seal sticker being very easy to peel off without damage.If you want to diagnose then you should get some freezer spray (or turn an airduster upside down and spray) and a hot air gun. Hair drier if you dont have one. Then you can apply cold and heat and track down which area its confined to. Looks like maybe something to do with the coupling so check that first.

author: westfeild
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2012, 09:04:31 am
content: The £243 was the purchase price of the scope then i would have to pay shipping costs, sorry i may not have been very clear when posting.At the time i bought it the only ones i could find in the UK were more than twice the price of the import but now doesn't seem such a good decision.It may be perfectly straight forward to return for a repair but as this is my first experience of importing anything i am slightly hesitant, has anyone else returned anything to Rigol?

author: joedevola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2012, 11:11:44 am
content: My thought is that if you trusted the China Post the first time to send the unit, why doubt it a second time? It is the unit that is faulty, not the post. For what it is worth, the only lost postal items I have had was an ebay purchase about 7 years ago, but that was probably a dodgy seller from the USA, and just recently a PC board purchase from a reputable audio guy from Sydney to country NSW (uninsured and not trackable). All items I have purchased from China or Hong Kong have arrived with no problems.I agree with trackable and insured postage and you will be covered. If it gets lost you will get the insurance for a replacement. If the postal system works, Rigol have stood by their product and repaired/replaced it for you. I don't see the problem other than not having the scope for a few weeks.Cheers,Chris

author: westfeild
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2012, 11:35:23 am
content: Hi Chris,i agree now that i think about it i have ordered a few small low cost items from Hong Kong and all have arrived with no problems. I suppose it's the cost and time issue that's my real sticking point, will it take a few weeks or a few months! and is it worth spending well over £100 on shipping for an item that cost £243 new.I have decided to contact them again to clarify if they will pay the shipping costs and the time scale