Stay away.. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 03:56:05 pm
content: I was thinking, maybe we should have a thread warning people to stay away from eBay items we find like this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Agilent-HP-8566B-RF-Spectrum-Analyzer-100Hz-2-5GHz-2-22GHz-with-Display-Unit/201822085183?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140602152332%26meid%3D25d523d303764024bd596ee4632af492%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D302179185166Let's see, "Good working order" with stickers like "Reject YTO unlock" and "Channel 1 inop", a screen you might be able to read in a dark room?The funny thing is that the "Reject" sticker was removed after a few pictures.All this for 939.55. What a deal!

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 04:12:02 pm
content: And one of my personal favorites:http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-89441A/272593908652?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D7ac82dea60ea43f4b2a458f0e689ba42%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D112335401321"...THIS DOES DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN DIFFERENT BUTTONS ARE PUSHED,..."Who writes this stuff?

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 04:30:41 pm
content: Those ones are lemons but I've got some bargains from people who have no idea. If you sit down with the service manual you can sometimes figure out what is wrong and waltz in for a bargain."recently only displays a dot" (you stuck it in X-Y mode you wally).Before:After cleaning and pressing buttons:£10/$15Same as my Marconi 2019A which wouldn't power up for £10 because they didn't understand how to use it:

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 06:08:57 pm
content: Quote from: cncjerry on March 22, 2017, 04:12:02 pmAt least that one is listed as broken, the first one was listed as used which in eBay terms means it must be 100% functional.

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 06:17:55 pm
content: Maybe it's more geared towards bad sellers than telltale signs of damaged equipment, but I think it still counts:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/consumer-alert-2nd-no-3rd-pass-through-the-spam-bot-filter/(no idea why the thread name shows up as that)

author: djnz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 06:37:16 pm
content: eBay item 112341571122 - Tektronix 5A22N Differential Amplifier with Tektronics TM504 Power Module -http://www.ebay.com/itm/1123415711225A22N is not electrically compatible with the TM500 series! I wrote to the seller saying this with references backing me up. The seller thanked me, said he'd make corrections and ended the listing. But the item has been relisted again by them multiple times since then.

author: JFJ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 07:05:41 pm
content: Quote from: cncjerry on March 22, 2017, 03:56:05 pmThe seller has screwed-up with the pictures. They're of two different analyzers - the display unit with the 'Reject' sticker is above a HP 8566B, but the 'Channel 1 inop' sticker is on a HP 8568B.

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2017, 08:08:46 pm
content: Quote from: JFJ on March 22, 2017, 07:05:41 pmSo I wonder what they are selling? An 8568B or a 8566B. These units aren't that hard to fix as you can purchase about any module for $50 to $100. The real problem is moving them around when you are fixing them. I work on a floor with a decent rug. Hard to explain the rug burns to my wife though.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 05:06:19 am
content: Quote from: djnz on March 22, 2017, 06:37:16 pmdoes it have to be electrically compatible to become a prequisite of the selling? it is what is stated... Tektronix 5A22N Differential Amplifier with Tektronics TM504 Power Module.. if potential buyer doesnt have the gut to make google search of these things that what they are going to buy, then they deserve it (as learning session), imho.

author: videobruce
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 06:06:20 am
content: I like "different things".

author: djnz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 08:59:03 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on March 23, 2017, 05:06:19 amThe module is probably severely damaged because of incorrect voltages - TM500 supplies raw voltages, the power management / regulation is supposed to be handled by the modules. The 5A22N expects regulated voltages as the 5000 series oscilloscopes did the power management for its modules. I wrote all this to the seller and yet they still list it as 'Used', except in they weasel out by saying 'sold as-is'. Not very honest behavior by the seller imo.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 11:09:30 am
content: Quote from: cncjerry on March 22, 2017, 03:56:05 pmSo you're telling me that if I see equipment with a sticker like this -"DO NOT BUY!This kit does not work as it should.Do not sell this on Ebay at any price.This piece of gear is broken and uncalibratedNo parts are available to fix it"You mean that is a sign not to buy it?

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 11:22:15 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on March 23, 2017, 11:09:30 amDepends on how much of a challenge you want.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 11:46:41 am
content: Quote from: cncjerry on March 22, 2017, 03:56:05 pmYTO unlock is most often caused by dried/dead capacitors, usually the big ones in the PSU go first, which then kills the tantalum caps everywhere else in the instrument with ripple. So big recapping action, done this and had sucess on a 8566A.Ref unlock is only because the oven is cold, because the seller powered it up just recently.Channel 1 inop could be everything, either just a bad 2.5GHz band switch relay in the front end or something bad went on somewhere deeper down in the instrument.So I would say it's most probably fixable, but not worth the $1000. More likely somewhere in the $500-$800 range.That TM500/5A22 thingy is much more sinister IMO. Power it up and the magic smoke will be released

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 12:12:13 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on March 23, 2017, 11:22:15 amYea! Maybe Ebay could even have a new category in addition to "Used" and "For parts or not working".Maybe "Fixer-Upper" or "Flippable Gear".

author: LazyJack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 12:49:48 pm
content: Quote from: djnz on March 23, 2017, 08:59:03 amWhile the TM500 and the 5000 series scope plugins are mechanically the same dimensions, the connectors are keyed differently. So the seller has either removed the keys from the TM500 to be able to plug in the module, in which case this is clearly a fraud. Or he was really strong, and in that case something broke.