WTB: Starting new lab, need everything. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 09:14:19 am
content: I'm just getting started and I need a little bit of everything. So far I have a Rigol MSO4014 and an Analog Discovery.I need:Differential/Active ProbesArbitrary Waveform GeneratorCurve TracerCables and ProbesPower Supply UnitMultimeters, LCD, ESR Meters.Soldering and Desoldering GearHot Air Rework GearMagnifying GearNetwork AnalyzerElectronics KitsVariacIsolation TransformerFLIR camera3D Printer

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 09:38:41 am
content: Just getting started to do what?Your question is entirely backwards. Start with what you need equipmentfor, then we can make recommendations.Without knowing the application, all that anyone can do is reel off a list of model numbers which may, or may not, be any use to you at all.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 10:57:08 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on November 04, 2015, 09:38:41 amIt depends also on how big is your bank account and your Lab room... if you can buy everything and have a big smile everytime you enter in your new Lab. We can discuss if it is a smart move or not, but it is soo cool to do that (like to set up Ferrari collection).

author: jmr0302
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 04:55:31 pm
content: I have two FLIR T460 for sale if interested contact me at jmr0302@comcast.netSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 05:15:40 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 09:14:19 amWait, you have a $3500 scope but still no basic tools like a soldering iron, cutters, pliers, power supply?I think your priorities are out of order.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 05:24:47 pm
content: I'm missing a blow torch to set the scope one fire once he is fed up with the bugs.

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:05:02 pm
content: Quote from: fivefish on November 04, 2015, 05:15:40 pmFirst I bought the scope on sale for much cheaper than that. Also I do have a soldering station, but it's just a really cheap Ningbo Zhongdi ZD-98. Additionally I have a storage unit filled with hand and power tools, I'm sure I have I no less than 20 cutters and pliers. I also have a couple homemade LM317 adjustable power supplies and a box full of AC adapters and computer power supplies, but I want a real PSU with micro adjustments, digital display, and current limiting. I even have six multimeters, but all of them are low quality cheapies.

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:10:22 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 04, 2015, 05:24:47 pmFor 740 picosecond rise times I'm thinking I can put up with the bugs (I haven't noticed any yet?)... do you have any other recommendations for a scope, I still have 15 days to return this scope.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:22:09 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 06:10:22 pmhave you upgraded your 4014? to 500Mhz?

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:28:12 pm
content: I think it would be interesting to put together a $5000 lab which seems to be about what you might be looking at (depending on the "sale") or maybe $10,000 lab.A magazine put on a contest for a $200 labI think if you broke this down to each item with a price limit you might get better answers. Since no restrictions here is my recommendation for a Network Analyzer:https://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Fluke-TruView-Packet-6200-network-monitoring-device/3439565.aspx?cm_cat=GoogleBase&cm_ite=3439565&cm_pla=NA-NA-FLU_MD&cm_ven=acquirgy&ef_id=VDb3lQAABb4@NKWw:20151104182009:s&gclid=CjwKEAiA9uaxBRDYr4_hrtC3tW8SJAD6UU8GqFoCqDSlNmBWWK0b-TNG1r16St2PTUWOnoyoKMebnxoCkjPw_wcB&s_kwcid=AL!4223!3!61836303019!!!g!52063459494!I suggest negotiate for free shipping

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:29:18 pm
content: Quote from: jmr0302 on November 04, 2015, 04:55:31 pmThanks, but these are way out of my budget. I already have two of those cheap infrared thermometers and a Type K probe, and for most of the things that I do these work just fine, so I could never justify spending that much. I mainly interested in the entry level units.

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:35:18 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on November 04, 2015, 06:28:12 pmThat isn't even the right kind of network analyzer. This is what I'm taking about:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_analyzer_(electrical)I'm just looking for something I can do bode plots on.

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:43:48 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on November 04, 2015, 06:28:12 pmYou can't even pickup a decent scope for $200. Do you have a link to the article? I only spend $2594 on the scope, and considering that the scope is the workhorse of an electronics lab I think that was money well spent. I wished I didn't have to spend that much, but that is what it costs for a decent scope. It's a 675 MHz scope, an equivalent Keysight unit would have cost me $13k. It will have better resell value than something like a DS1054Z.I'm not opposed to spending $5k on a lab, many people happily spend $10K+ on bass boats and other nonsense. At least with electronics I can apply what I learn to my profession.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 07:02:02 pm
content: I have a U1272A and U1253B DMM, you can have one of them.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 07:26:58 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 06:10:22 pmWait until you want to use it for serial decode. For the known bugs I suggest to look around on this blog.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 07:32:41 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 06:43:48 pmhttp://www.nutsvolts.com/pages/the_workbench_challenge_2015The $200 lab did not include a scope and is meant for beginner studentsAfter this post dies - how about start a new one with a $5,000 limit. I do not remember seeing this before and I think it would be interesting. Or if you come up with a 5k lab, share it, but your scope blows this number so maybe 10k ?You do know about the 6% discount at Tequipment for members?

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 08:36:53 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on November 04, 2015, 07:32:41 pmThat's easy, at $159 the Analog Discovery is the best bang for your buck, you get:2-Channel Oscilloscope2-Channel Waveform Generator16-Channel Logic Analyzer16-Channel Digital Pattern Generator±5VDC Power SuppliesSpectrum AnalyzerNetwork AnalyzerVoltmeterDigital I/OAnalog Parts Kit with breadboardThat said, only a financially challenged person would settle for this as their daily driver.Quote from: ez24 on November 04, 2015, 07:32:41 pmIn which sub forum? I could not psychologically justify $10k on this hobby, $5k is my upper limit. Although for things like a 3D printer or FLIR camera I would not include that in my electronics lab budget, they would come out of my shop budget.Quote from: ez24 on November 04, 2015, 07:32:41 pmYes

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2015, 01:15:55 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 06:43:48 pm

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2015, 05:09:07 pm
content: Please no isolation transformerThink about what happens when you clip the grounded scope probe somewhere!

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2015, 05:31:44 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 04, 2015, 09:14:19 amunless you are going to build your own semiconductors a curve tracer is a useless piece of kitesr meter ? no self respecting lab has that. useless. get a real LCR bridge

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2015, 07:01:24 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 05, 2015, 05:09:07 pmOne topic that beat to death about not using isolation transformer for scope. Several reason why you don't, beside the fact it floating a ground-referenced oscilloscope is very dangerous due to ground potential difference and bringing scope to a dangerous voltage. Also measurements are often inaccurate. Best to a differential isolation probe, or isolated handheld scope with true separate channel ground isolation.