Lots of test equipment for sale on UK auction - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: V_King
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 10:03:40 am
content: Hi, was scouring auctions for some equipment for work and found this - lots of test equipment for the Dave and co test equipment nerds.I have no affiliation with the auction house, just sharing the findingsLink -https://www2.ppauctions.com/auction/410/september-collective-sale

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 11:05:33 am
content: ... good findoooh, a brief look but I'd have the HP3400A and Keithley 228Aand much more

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 11:41:52 am
content: Some nice stuff - shame pickup would be a huge hassle coming from south of London without owning a carAlready have a 228A so wouldn't be in competition for that (that was it's own hassle to get though, given ebay inexplicably decided it was an export restricted item after I'd won the auction). If you do get it I can suggest some mods to make it quieter and burn less idle power.

author: iJoseph2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 12:49:31 pm
content: Quote from: Hydron on September 24, 2024, 11:41:52 amIndeed .. you've always got to pinch yourself whenever you see auctions like that

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 06:58:32 pm
content: Quote from: V_King on September 24, 2024, 10:03:40 amBeware of bidding too much on the lots, they often use a hidden reserve, they use random bidder names/alias to do this, the name(s) change for each auction and the items won by the reserve alias bidder then appear in the next auction. Quite annoying, but within the rules they have, being a business to business auction house.David

author: veedub565
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 07:52:25 pm
content: And of course don't forget +20% VAT and then +15% fees on top of that for whatever you bid.I think the hidden reserve price is rather unrealistic in many cases.And always remember its condition unknown. It could be a total loss as I've found in the past. Which is annoying when you end up paying more than a decent working one from ebay, just to beat the reserve.

author: V_King
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 08:38:47 pm
content: To the doom and gloom lot, nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Our company bought a number of high quality tools at auctions at a very good price over the years. You need to use your thinking head though, which sounds to be rare nowadays.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 09:32:47 am
content: PPAuctions has very variable quality items. Some are fine, some are only worth instant disassembly into component parts. (One such item yeilded only a decent OCXO and a piece of metalwork that enabled me to have a Christmas dinner; long story, not repeating it!)It is located at a farm, and storage can be a barn. Look carefully at the pictures to see which items are in the barn.I notice that they are now marking some items "spares or repairs". I haven't seen that before, and I'm not sure what to think about items not marked that way.

author: veedub565
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 05:17:53 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 25, 2024, 09:32:47 amTo be fair the last lot of items I had from them was pretty decent.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 05:31:31 pm
content: Quote from: veedub565 on September 25, 2024, 05:17:53 pmMany items I have bought there have been pretty decent too. However, it is wise to presume anything electronic will need to be repaired, and some will be unrepairable.I class PPAuctions as one step below Ramco. Ramco's prices tend to be higher, partly because Ramco will pack and send stuff.Anyone why buys something there will probably stop off in Stamford, a pretty town nearby. Aunby itself is a deserted medieval village with a couple of farms attachedhttps://www.google.com/maps/place/Aunby,+Stamford+PE9+4EE/@52.7251085,-0.4939694,16.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x487820b4adb15d2d:0xa8709b20f20a9940!8m2!3d52.725201!4d-0.491058!16s%2Fm%2F02x5cz3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3DThe ?only? roadsign to Aunby is ~40cm*15cm, and easily hidden in a hedgerow

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 09:59:59 am
content: Quote from: Hydron on September 24, 2024, 11:41:52 amI didn't get it (this time) - it went for a £200 bid, which is inexpensive for this type of thing (even with the extra costs).I think the size of the instrument went against it for me.Anyhow, looking forward to collecting the HP3400A

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 12:12:02 pm
content: Yeah 200 quid isn't bad, my one from the US cost 300 USD including shipping/tax to California, which I though was a good deal for what turned out to be a spotless unit with ZERO dust inside a 30yo instrument (would have been a much better deal if eBay had allowed the seller to ship to the UK and not made me use my whole suitcase for it).Gotta say that other than some of the tempting boat anchors (which I realistically don't have room for) nothing that I'm super unhappy about missing out on, though there's a few nice-to-haves that I would have bid on if logistics were easier.Enjoy the 3400A!

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 02:28:31 pm
content: Given this was my first online auction I'm reasonably happy, after my bids.It was quite well behaved compared to eBay countdowns - I've learnt that lesson, emotionallySo, with diesel day out and all the items about £450.00 total, for stuff which has yet to be seen and used.... other than the HP3400A, 3No. Beckman HD110 industrial multimeters, a couple of bench PSUs, a Robin insulation/continuity tester, and some torque wrenchesnarrow Lincolnshire roads to look forward to too

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 02:49:01 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on September 26, 2024, 02:28:31 pmMany online auctions have the "bids in the last X minutes extend the deadline by X minutes" mechanism. I prefer that to the fleabay sniper's paradise, but it can become interesting if you are simultaneously bidding on several items in the last X minutes.Have fun, and let us know how you get on (possibly in the TEA thread)

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 06:44:47 am
content: Quote from: Hydron on September 24, 2024, 11:41:52 amRemoval terms are fairly restrictive: 24 hour notice - weekday only collection - in a 12 day window

author: veedub565
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 07:12:50 am
content: Quote from: armandine2 on September 27, 2024, 06:44:47 amYeah it's a bit of a pain, especially if you only end up winning one item. Plus for me it's a 180 mile round trip and time off work. Them's the T&C's though, and I guess they are mainly focussed on B2B. I don't really mind a day out though if I have lots of interesting new toys to collectNice score on the 3400A, I looked at that seems in decent condition.Quite a few items I was interested in... but they ended up going for more than I wanted to spend. I was bidding on the 8510C VNA rig till it got to £1,000 still a good price even at that money, but more than I could justify spending.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 07:48:29 am
content: ... I find my bidding style to be kind of autonomous - and self revealing.I didn't bid too much on equipment I liked that was overly bulky and expensive. I guess, may be that would change if there was a pressing need for something (or a plan).

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 09:59:50 am
content: Quote from: armandine2 on September 27, 2024, 06:44:47 amI wouldn't panic about giving them notice for a few small items. Their interest is mainly to gather the stuff into a pile and/or forklift big stuff nearer the barn doors.You could always get a pack/send company to send it to you. I've never used one, but ISTR starting prices are ~£40

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 04:48:01 pm
content: Do they really charge a minimum of £40 to pack & send a item? if they do I'm glad I didn't win the lot of HP handles.David

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 05:25:42 pm
content: Quote from: factory on September 27, 2024, 04:48:01 pmSorry, that was for dedicated companies that visit <where ever> in order toi pack and send. AFAIK PPAuctions (unlike Ramco) won't do shipping themselves.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 06:22:45 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 27, 2024, 05:25:42 pmNot sure I've seen any companies doing that when I've visited, I did see someone palletising some items (for a forum member) when I collected items, I'm sure they were from PP, but I can't remember.I've noticed you said you have never used this service anyway.The PP collective auction had some annoying long/slow scrolling message crap at the top of the page, including a reference to packingsmallitems only, this is the message, which I couldn't see anywhere else;QuoteMaybe I should ask next time, to confirm what they mean & possible costs for small items, but really they should put something on there website about parcel sizes/weights & limits & typical costs, we pay enough for the lots after all.David

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 06:40:15 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on September 27, 2024, 06:44:47 amYes their collection times are almost the same as my working hours, even down to the half day Friday, this puts me off bidding too much, unless it's something I really want, as it not only means wasting a days holiday and driving a fair distance + fuel costs etc.I've no idea why they only offer an approx two week collection window either, as unsold/hidden-reserve-not-met items just sit there for months, till the next sale.For a regular auction house having a sale every week, I understand why they would need stuff cleared quickly.David

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 12:20:24 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 25, 2024, 05:31:31 pmSlight necropost, but I've bumbled across a list of my good/bad purchases from PPAuctions...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/pp-november-auction/msg4524029/#msg4524029

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2024, 12:37:33 pm
content: Just picked my lots up this morning - sunny drive, three and half hours round trip.Very pleasant on the phone and on site - paying was awkward my end, but I guess that's down to me and my bank.This evening I'll know a bit more of what it is I got.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 03:16:52 pm
content: So .. the first analysis is:... have I over paid, and if so where? - I feel very little, if any, buyer regret - yet I'm not entirely satisfied with my lots.The prices, which I've indicated below, includes my travel expense to collect the lots and a small bank travel expense - no personal time, which I would not have added to an account of this personal purchase..... the HP3400A came in at £159.17 - that feels high - it turns out that the item is not the sexy classic version - I'd missed the lack of a zero dial adjuster on the lot photograph. So it looks like I have a late version - not sure yet what else it needs to be fully operational.... the Kikusui PMC 18V 2A came in at £95.50 - no bargain, but not so pricey for this type of power supply - the fuse has blown, may be by me powering on with the power button left on... the three small torque wrenches came in at £57.60 - they're used but look and feel quite functional - in quarter inch square and hexagonal drive - no obvious complaints or worries there.... the Robin 3131 insulation and continuity tester came in at £50.02 - that's on reflection a bit more than I'd've liked - but the Digimess DP3005 linear PSU was just £40.93, a probable bargain.... the three Beckman Industrial HD110 multimeters came in at £48.51 - so about £16 each. I'm now warming to these "Egon Spengler" possibly Ghostbuster DMMs- after variousAli Baba cleaning treatments. One of the three is missing a 10A (?) big fuse, but one of the other ones tried with a fresh battery was quite impressive.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 05:28:36 pm
content: Only when I feel I ought not to bid on items, I add travel expenses at 25p or 44p per mile depending on how much I need to dissuade myself.I've just picked up a couple of Bird Termaline loads, 80W and 500W, for £25 each. No travelling expenses added, since I also visited a town for other pleasurable purposes.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 06:40:00 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on October 05, 2024, 03:16:52 pmThe 3400A does have an uncommon special order option, the linear log scale at the top, this is why there is no zero adjustment, the meter magnet is a special shape to obtain this. On the plus side it's an 80s one, so should have the solid-state chopper board & no peeling meter scale, as long as the thermocouples are OK it's probably not too bad (not a common failure, but does happen).The Beckman DMMs do have a higher DC voltage range than most meters, but do suffer with plastic degrading with age and as with any vintage LCD based meter, the LCD can fail with bleeding/leakage between segments.David

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2024, 08:12:35 pm
content: Quote from: factory on October 05, 2024, 06:40:00 pmIt appears to have Option C30

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 08:04:15 pm
content: The 3400A with serial prefix 2415A is the latest I've seen, it has the IC based chopper board & FET input board, I've got one somewhere too. Plus some older ones, trying to get a working early one in original condition is hard (have two in non-working state/work in progress, hoping there is enough bits to made one good early one out of the two), many seem to have been updated by HP with smaller optical chopper design/IC design.David

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2024, 11:48:43 am
content: It appears at least that I have basically a working one - though a calibration check and alignment will be necessary, no doubt.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2024, 05:30:30 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on October 05, 2024, 03:16:52 pmno, by you not reading the a.c input information

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2024, 06:20:00 pm
content: The auction house sometimes tests things too.I really hope Kikusui fitted some over-voltage protection (eg MOV) before the transformer, some video showing the inside of the 35V version here;Will there be a repair thread?David

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2024, 07:06:06 pm
content: Quote from: factory on October 16, 2024, 06:20:00 pmI doubt it - but first there will be another auto-transformer and cable?

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2024, 08:48:57 pm
content: ... and some slow blow/burn fuses [this time]

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 01:36:54 pm
content: Mouser UK still owe me some money for a cancelled item on a previous order - apparently it had a restricted availability notice.So, with the company's reluctant to pay me back attitude in mind I thought may be I'll get that cable from themBut , it too is not for consumers?

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 05:31:52 pm
content: CPC definitely did sell NEMA cables (I've not checked recently), according to "plug-museum" they are used in the USA and other countries such as Japan.https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm1.htmlDavid

author: ZGoode
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 07:05:07 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on October 17, 2024, 01:36:54 pmThat is so bizarre they won't even sell them to you. I literally have boxes of those here in the USA. Can you not get them on Amazon in the EU/UK?

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 07:20:17 pm
content: Quote from: factory on October 17, 2024, 05:31:52 pmI had not fully grasped that, though I saw they were similar - I have a USA plug so I could make up short lead myself.The cables which were restricted were shown as medical grade.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 07:27:17 pm
content: Could also beThe plugs and sockets etc (safety) regulations 1994at play:QuoteFor a domestic purchaser the supplier would need to provide an approved adapter too, and Mouser don't want to mess with that. B2B sales are somewhat different - the above regs don't come into play - so they wouldn't be fussed selling a skipload to you if you were a company.

author: ZGoode
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 08:25:43 pm
content: What on earth makes a cable medical grade? I get it when there is some kind of antimicrobial or IP rating, but that seems weird for an IEC plug.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 08:30:45 pm
content: Quote from: ZGoode on October 17, 2024, 08:25:43 pmIn this case I think its the use of a specific hospital grade NEMA plug, which is supposed to offer high integrity of the earth contact.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2024, 03:28:46 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on October 17, 2024, 07:27:17 pmI fail to see the relevance of these regulations, the appliance is the Japanese PSU that operates from 100V (only), supplied from a small step down transformer, the PSU is not intended as a domestic/home appliance.CPC will sell you many different USA & some Japan (same thing) mains leads;https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/electrical-lighting/mains-power-leads/prl/results?ta_voltage_rating=110V|125V|125VACI've had no problems buying these, one for use with a vintage US made 2-smoke generator and replacement fixed leads for HP test gear (where a UK plug doesn't fit through the outer case hole).David

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2024, 07:54:11 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on October 16, 2024, 07:06:06 pmAfter some fun wiring the plug we have the Kikusui on the bench - and it appears to be ok.My cheap carpenter's pencil has been warmed up.