Replacing a Keithley 2015 THD display - scary stuff! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 08:13:40 pm
content: Like several others on this forum, I got a cheap K2015 THD off e-bay (though after all my replacement parts etc it is probably not that cheap anymore!)It is probably around 15 to 20 years old so the display was rather dim. I checked the voltage and it was 36.4V which was close enough to the 37V that is the nominal value so I knew it was the VFD display rather than any caps (I'd replaced all the electrolytic ones anyway).Without a great deal of hope I approached Keithley (now Tektronix) about getting a replacement display board - no luck with this but I also asked them about the display itself (part number DD-52) and they were happy to sell me this for £53 + VAT.Unfortunately to fit this you need to desolder the old part (34 pins) and lever it off the board (it is stuck down with double sided tape).Having just acquired a Denon desoldering gun off ebay (thanks to dunkemhigh for putting me onto this) the desoldering went fairly smoothly though I had to resolder and repeat a few times on a few recalcitrant pins.The problem came with the sticky tape and a few odd threads of solder perhaps which required me to gently lever off the old display - one of the 34 tracks lifted from the board!I carried on regardless, fitted the new display and attempted to solder the wayward track to the side of the display pin.I put the K2015 back together and the display worked except for the left hand center segmentsI took it all apart again, scraped the pin and track with a razor under a magnifying glass and had a second soldering attempt, this time the solder seemed to take better. Put it back together and now the display is okI meant to record this saga in photos but forgot so here are a couple of photos of the old display after removing and a photograph showing the new display nice and bright (the same as my much newer K2000).By the way, the display part DD-52 seems to be common to all Keithley's models (K2000, K2015, K2010 I think if you look at the service manuals).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 08:27:59 am
content: Tip for next time is just to cut all the pins off and desolder the stubs one by one. That way you do not damage the board. The double sided tape is easy to cut using some fishing line or a steel guitar string. Then you can get the remains off using some solvent.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 09:42:59 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on July 12, 2014, 08:27:59 amThanks, sound advice.The problem was I wasn't sure the new display was going to work so I wanted to retain the option of replacing the original which at least did work even if it was rather faint.The double sided tape wasn't of the sort that could be cut with fishing line (I think that you're thinking of the thick white stuff), it was more like black electrical tape that was sticky on both sides.Again I wanted to leave it in-tact to use with the new display.You're advice is very sound though, and IF I ever do the job again and knowing that the new display is the right type I'll cut the pins and do them one by one.Of course it would be easier still if Keithley/Tektronix just sold the display board, all it has is the display and the pads for the switches though I guess they probably would charge three times as much for it. (It does have a driver ic or two as well.)

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 10:30:54 am
content: That black tape normally responds well to being gently heated to around 100c then it tends to release. You might come across a thermoset type that needs 100C to cure, but I do not see that in electronics, it is more common in automotive use to put panels together. It actually is not sticky until toasted.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 11:11:33 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on July 12, 2014, 10:30:54 amI'll bear this in mind if I come across a similar problem. One issue though was the tape wasn't visible until I'd already levered up the old display. Also I have a bit of nervousness about heating up glass displays with a hot air gun (though I suppose I could heat the whole board).Quote from: Electronics-Repairman on July 12, 2014, 09:50:16 amYes, I generally do this - in fact in this case I already had a lot of photos from taking it to bits to replace the capacitors also there are a couple of teardowns on this forum (a video one of Dave's and a photographic one from a couple of years ago). I just failed to photograph the removal and replacement of the display.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 04:42:34 pm
content: Just found this thread......am looking to get the display on my 2015THD replaced also.......thanks for the heads up, here's hoping they have more displays in stock.Ian.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 12:21:31 pm
content: Hi all,I documented the replacement of the VFD in my own 2015 THD below.........hope it helps others to do the same:-Ian.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 07:54:47 pm
content: Watched, and nice to see. Next time to align the pins on the display just take a piece of veroboard and use it as a jig to align the pins, you just start at one end and gently wriggle it till all pins are on the 0.1in spacing. Then you have them all neatly aligned for placing in the hole.BTW you do not need all the tape, only a piece at each end will do, the display is not going anywhere.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 07:26:48 am
content: I contacted Keithley about getting a replacement screen. I fell off my chair when the quote came back at $1800. I think they misunderstood my e-mail and quoted on them replacing the screen (And I hope calibrating the whole thing), but still very expensive.What department / branch from Keithley did you fellas contact for the parts?-Chris

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 10:36:03 am
content: Well, I just heard back from Keithley again, apparently they don't sell parts to end users and I will have to ship my 2015 back to them in Singapore for them to replace the VFD. It was $1800 USD plus tax, so just over $2500 Aussie dollars currently for them to replace the screen. No other options given, no service centres in Australia...When you guys log back in and read this, if you can let me know where you contacted to get the parts, that would be greatly appreciated. If it was $100-$150 including shipping, I am happy with that.Cheers-Chris

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 11:11:39 am
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on March 13, 2015, 10:36:03 amI just sent the following e-mail to info@keithley.com :QuoteAnd they responded with pricing.Keithley had not been taken over by Tek for very long at that stage, perhaps Tek have now clamped down so the Keithley bit is being a bit stricter about supplying parts.Good Luck.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 01:01:06 am
content: Thank you for the quick response. Maybe it was because I emailed their Singapore office rather than the generic email address. I will check a few things internally (like the voltage to the screen) and go from there.I understand from their point of view that they don't want end users doing repairs as it might make things worse and could possibly affect calibration (particularly if things are touched that shouldn't be touched). If it was $200 for them to replace the screen, I would pay up, but not for $2500.Cheers again-Chris

author: Galaxyrise
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 01:37:45 am
content: I just received a replacement transformer from Tek for a Keithley unit, so maybe it's the part of the world you're in. Don't expect $100, though... $300 will be more likely.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 11:21:38 am
content: In my case they wouldn't sell me the display board, but the display itself was quite cheap (£53 ex VAT which is around $75).The little plastic stops that I also wanted to replace were very expensive though, for what they were - £12 for a little bit of cheap plastic I think!

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 12:28:34 pm
content: I have e-mailed the generic head office e-mail. I tested the voltages and they are within the 5% tolerance as per the service manual. Hopefully I get a more positive reply to this one.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 03:28:03 am
content: Nope, just got a reply from the same service person who emailed me the original quote from Singapore.Looks like my email just got bounced off to the closest service centre and they aren't doing spare parts anymore.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 02:27:15 am
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on March 17, 2015, 03:28:03 amI ordered a DD-52 display just last week, by phoning 1-800-833-9200. They told me I could have also ordered by emailing buy@tek.com.Cost was $63.00Received today:

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 04:05:35 am
content: Thanks for heads-up.Did not think they sell component-level parts tho.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 10:41:53 am
content: I wonder if it is just because I am in Australia that they palm me off to their Singapore service centre who doesn't want to deal with parts like this.I am pretty sure my 2015 has a faded display, but I am not sure what they look like when new, so have nothing to compare it to. Even taking photos of it, the camera can change exposure so it is very hard to get a reference photo.

author: eas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 06:44:47 pm
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on July 02, 2015, 10:41:53 amI have three Keithley 2000s and two Keithley 2700s right now. I'd guess that there is at least a 2x difference in brightness between them, with the dimmer ones being a bit too dim to be useful.I'm planning on doing the trick of heating to the fillament to glowing briefly on the dim ones to see if that makes a difference. If not, its nice to know that I can order a new display for ~$70 if I know what part numbers to ask for.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 11:56:14 pm
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on July 02, 2015, 10:41:53 amI am going to swap mine soon. The original is faded like yours. I will do my best to take before and after photos that demonstrate the difference.Ian Johnston on YouTube has a video showing the difference after he swapped his:http://youtu.be/wXQdo42C6pESeek to 24:20

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 12:38:23 am
content: I'll also add that if you even slightly suspect the display is faded, then it is. A bright VFD is obvious.I just bought a NOS Agilent 53132a and was amazed at how bright a brand new VFD is.I recently picked up a "lightly used" Keithley 7001 on eBay for peanuts (the seller accepted my <$100 best offer). I have no real use for it, and was just going to play with it or use it for parts. It has an extremely bright display, so I suspect it was used in an integrated test system with the display off.So at least if I manage to find a decent 2001, I'll have a fresh "new" display for it! Now, to find a 2001...

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 02:47:58 am
content: Can someone who is able to order / receive the parts pm me? If you can get a post (or other shipping) quite too me and it is reasonable I can PayPal you the money for the screen, shipping and a bit extra for your time.I'm in australia, will give my postal address via pm.Cheers-Chris

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2015, 04:36:14 am
content: I had some comparison and "workaround" for faded VFD on my 2000 coveredhereand on forum threadhere.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 07:35:48 am
content: I installed the new display in my 2015-P over the weekend, and it looks brighter and the brightness is more consistent.As expected, it's difficult to tell the difference in photos and on video, especially since my display wasn't that dim. I couldn't reproduce the lighting conditions in the before vs after photos, so they aren't of much value. The primary difference is the consistency of brightness.Before/During/After photos:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2nvrxb4cu6io8u5/AABq1Ss-xR04L-cFSI5U9X5-a?dl=0After video:

author: Rycroft
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 03:02:50 am
content: Chris,Have you triedhttp://www.vicom.com.au/They got me a bench kit for my 2015. Very helpful and not too expensive.Rick

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 07:00:16 am
content: Quote from: Rycroft on July 09, 2015, 03:02:50 amThanks for the heads up, just shot a email through to them as it is near knock off time. Hopefully they can get one for me.Cheers-Chris

author: Rycroft
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 09:50:30 am
content: Let me know if they give you a good price, I may grab one too.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 07:32:10 pm
content: Tequipment will special order the 2000 benchkit from Keithley for you:http://www.tequipment.net/Keithley/2000-BENCHKIT/You can even get the EEVBlog discount. It is back ordered but I placed an order anyways.I also got the one benchkit that TestEquipmentDepot had on Amazon, because I am impatient. So my 2015-P is well-benchkitted now. I guess I'll put the second one on my 7001.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 02:12:12 am
content: QuoteThis was the reply from vicom. Damn.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 05:50:30 am
content: I have a 2000 thats dim, looks like not much hope here in Australia.Classic Aussie Tax syndrome

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 11:21:54 pm
content: I had a call from another bloke at vicom yesterday, he said there is a possibility that he might be able to get some. Fingers crossed he comes through, when I hear from him I will let you Aussie people know how much and how long it will take to get in. I'm expecting $200-$300 in reality, but he will let me know. Might be a few weeks before he finds out though.

author: Rycroft
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 11:45:08 pm
content: I'd be surprised is the price isn't closer to what they pay in the US. The benchkit I bought from them was actually cheaper here than the US.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 02:00:23 am
content: $200 plus gst. Lead time of roughly 12-14 weeks. I've spent a bit too much money this pay so will need to wait a few weeks to put a payment down.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 01:05:51 pm
content: Take a serious look atTiN's experience with rejuvenating his K2000 VFD. No replacement necessary, just a little TLC.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 06:34:38 pm
content: If anyone wants my old 2015 display, let me know.As you can tell from the before photos I posted above, mine wasn't very dim to begin with.The new display brightened things up a bit and made the brightness more even.I was able to remove/desolder it without damage. I believe my unit is from approx 2003.Anyways, if anyone wants it, you can have it for the cost of shipping. PM me or post here.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2015, 07:01:53 pm
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on July 03, 2015, 02:47:58 amIf you need someone to buy the parts and forward them on, I'm happy to do so - I've done this for parts for several other EEVBloggers.I have no idea how big the parts are you want to buy, but you can check postage cost atwww.usps.com. I ship parts internationally pretty much every day through my work, so I know the process. One suggestion if you wish to do this - better to choose Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express - they are more expensive, but have tracking. I rarely lose anything shipped to Oz, but I have had packages sit in customs for 8-10 weeks or longer. At least with tracking, you know it's not lost.

author: camiles
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 06:02:42 pm
content: QuoteI would be interested in picking up your old display. I just received a 2015 and it's display is pretty DIM and it sounds like yours will perk it up quite a bit.I will PM you as well.Thanks!

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 07:22:02 pm
content: Quote from: camiles on August 05, 2015, 06:02:42 pmPM sent!

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 10:52:06 pm
content: The display on my 2015 is starting to dim, anyone know where I could order a replacement? Or anyone have any in stock I could by of them?

author: Xenawise
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:27:28 am
content: You should be able to order directly from Tektronix:Order a DD-52 display by phoning 1-800-833-9200. They told me I could have also ordered by emailing buy@tek.com.Cost was $63.00Regards,Xenawise

author: usagi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 06:03:04 pm
content: Quote from: Xenawise on March 18, 2016, 06:27:28 amDate: Mon, 22 Feb 2021 17:56:12 +0000From: Buy <buy@tektronix.com>Hello,Thank you for your interest in Tektronix products. Unfortunately this part is not saleable, if your main unit requires repair, please contact our OEM service at1800-833-9200 menu option 2 or via email at rmarequest@tektronix.comKind regards,Sandy GarciaCustomer Support SpecialistE/�buy@tektronix.comT/�800.833.9200 menu option 1.�tek.com