5440B Auction Score: Sometimes you're the bat, sometimes you're the ball - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 04:01:40 am
content: I think this might be one of those times where I'm the bat. I sent my 5440B/AF into Fluke to get calibrated and they told me that there seemed to be a problem with the high voltage relays."Damn" I thought because getting parts was probably going to be expensive. At the same time I was thinking that I saw a not-working 5440B come up for auction. So I grabbed that just in case I needed a donor unit.It turns out they were able to just give the relays a clean and my 5440B/AF should be available shortly with a complete manufacturer calibration.This non-working unit was also missing it's fuse holder (I wonder why that is, my other one was also missing the holder) so I got a replacement, fixed up the filter that was pinning the fan in place and powered the unit up.After an hour or so I checked the voltages and for 10V I'm seeing:I might have lucked myself into another 5440B for $65 plus shipping.I'm so chuffed, I just had to share. I'm going to leave it sitting on the bench for a few more hours (Dr Frank suggested 4 for my other unit) and then I'll run both the 5440B & 3458A through their autocal routines and measure again.TonyG

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 04:09:03 am
content: Damn, That is some good luck. I will give you $100 for it.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 04:20:42 am
content: I think you did really well. But if you tried it again, it would probably fail (you would end up with a duff one). I.e. it was a FLUKE! (*cough*).

author: zlymex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 04:49:11 am
content: I bought my second 5440B for the same reason.The first thing I did was to remove all the relays and clean them because some experienced repairmen told me so.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 05:17:50 am
content: Thanks everyone - I completely agree that it was a total Fluke...I'm not sure I really need two though - Zlymex, what are you using the two for? Did you get an B/AF or just B's?Thanks,TonyG

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 05:48:52 am
content: Just finished running both the 5440B and the 3458A through Autocal (warmed up for 4 hours) and here is what I get:Unless I've calculated something wrong this looks pretty damn good given that the last time the 5440B was calibrated was 18 Aug 09. Everything is actually within spec for this value (not saying the unit is in complete calibration but just that for the output value it seems pretty good).TonyG

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 05:52:00 am
content: Damn, would love to have one of those. Rare as hens teeth here though.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 12:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: EEVBlogI'd consider sending one over for Teardown Tuesday but, on a lark, I checked the shipping quote via DHL and they wanted $970 to ship to SydneyTonyG

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 01:38:03 pm
content: Quote from: Tony_G on September 28, 2016, 04:01:40 amTonyG,that's absolutely unfair!And you have to admit, I think, that you shared just to make us other guys jealous.. which you managed nicely.So, congrats on your 2nd instrument.Frank

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 01:45:51 pm
content: Quote from: Tony_G on September 28, 2016, 12:07:30 pmNow you know why these things are unobtainium here!

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 01:52:44 pm
content: You poor, unfortunate fellow! Now you havetwovoltage standards you will never know if your DVM is accurate or not. You'll have to sell one calibrator, or get another!

author: zlymex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 02:06:10 pm
content: Quote from: Tony_G on September 28, 2016, 05:17:50 amThere are all just B's. I'll probably tear one down for parts, there is a pair of very good SZA263 reference and many PWW resistors to say at least.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 02:48:15 pm
content: You got very lucky, congratulations.The 5440B almost never show up on ebay Germany / Europe and if they do, then they are still very expensive.Some things are just better in the USA

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 02:53:09 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 28, 2016, 01:45:51 pmIf I ever travel back down under for work again I might try to smuggle it over as accompanied luggage - I think we have a Pelican case that'd hold it - Can't imagine what customs would charge though...Quote from: Dr. Frank on September 28, 2016, 01:38:03 pmIt really was more a sharing of joy that I could pick up something like this for such a low value - Maybe a lot of people have been burnt on 'not working/powering up' before and just don't want to take the chance.Quote from: nfmax on September 28, 2016, 01:52:44 pmBugger the two clock problem - Well, I did just buy a new instrument rack so there may be space...Thanks everyone - Appreciate the kind words.TonyG

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 05:10:44 pm
content: Quote from: Tony_G on September 28, 2016, 02:53:09 pmIf you go over 70lb, you are supposed to pay an overweight fee of $400 or so

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 07:25:42 pm
content: Quote from: Tony_G on September 28, 2016, 12:07:30 pmIf someone has a decent discount through a company you could get the rate down to $200-300 - still quite a bit.

author: klaus11
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 09:16:11 pm
content: The 5440A is discarded? as well calibrator.