old oscilloscope repair or trash? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: tosuzu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2011, 11:32:12 pm
content: Hello I just got an oscilloscope (tektronics 465B) but it is broken (screen light up but no lines appear whatever i do, I tried following instruction but nothing will appear and some of the button on front are broken off) and wondering is it worth repairing it or just trashing it and buy another off ebay (I only took up to high school electronics)

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 12:17:39 am
content: Sell it on eBay = people pay money for the strangest things.

author: tosuzu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 01:48:55 am
content: There no hope in repairing it? I would of like to have an oscilloscope and learn how to use one.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 02:30:29 am
content: You can get the service manual from here:http://bama.edebris.com/download/tek/465b/465b.pdfIt can be fixed, but oscilloscopes are very dangerous to work on if you are not experienced. The voltages to the oscilloscope tube are extremely lethal, and if you have no trace on the screen, it is possible there is a problem in the tube or in the high voltage electronics.And you will probably need a working oscilloscope to find the fault in this one. It is just not the kind of device you can learn on. The fact it has broken buttons makes it worse.Selling it for parts and starting off buying a working oscilloscope is not a bad idea.It is just possible that the 465B works, but you just have the wrong settings. Post a clear picture of the front panel to this thread and we can check on your settings.The trigger should be on auto. Intensity Timebase to something like 1mS. Delayed timebase not enabled. Does it have a "Find Trace button"? otherwise make sure the A channel is selected, and turn both the horizontal and vertical position knobs to see if you can find a trace.Richard.

author: vtl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 02:34:44 am
content: Broken oscilloscopes still sell for around $100 with ebay bidding fever here in Australia. People pay top dollar for scopes here, a working tek 465 went for over $150 a few months ago.

author: JonnyBoats
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 02:36:23 am
content: There is a very helpful group on Yahoo devoted to older Tektronix oscilloscopes:http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/TekScopes/I am sure that if you ask there about your scope they can help you decide if it is worth working on.

author: tosuzu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 03:10:03 am
content: Quote from: amspire on October 29, 2011, 02:30:29 amThanks, I notice only half the screen lights up and I tried your setting but I still see nothing at all. It does have a find trace but nothing still shows up.I'm probably going to sell it for parts.eBay auction: #http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260882434119#ht_500wt_1413Thanks everyone for all the replies.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2011, 04:50:14 am
content: Yup. That scope is in miserable condition.Don't know what the strange drips on the screen are, but it has definitely had some very bad treatment at some point.I think it would need a very big restoration job, and the missing or busted Tektronix volts/div knobs stand out.You are right in selling it.Richard.