WTB (UK) HPAK 3458a Faulty / Damaged - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 07:47:53 am
content: I am looking for a faulty or damaged 3458a for a sensible price. It must be complete, power on, & have a usable display.I am not bothered about faults or errors as I do not want to use it as a working DMM.Cosmetics are not important. I am happy to consider anything including abandoned projects or the dreaded BER instruments.I know that repairing one of these can be very time consuming & expensive (Keysight charge over £3k to repair these) & am prepared!Please message me off list if you can help.Phil Parsons

author: chilternview
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 03:02:27 pm
content: Quote from: Oldtestgear on June 11, 2024, 07:47:53 amErrr, as a piece of modern art? a Footrest?Either way it's going to be expensive, even broken ones are not cheap because people think they can fix them, then they find they need an A3 board...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 03:58:09 pm
content: yes the famous A3 board, and keysight doesn't sell them anymoreand the fram etc ...even with lots of cash i would not buy a defective 3458 unless you are dead sure of the problems it may have,or have many 3458's, to do board(s) swappinggood luck

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 04:41:48 pm
content: Quote from: chilternview on June 11, 2024, 03:02:27 pmCheck! The last ones that I saw sold went for over $2,000 each not including shipping and they were completely untested (not even turned on!) and that was pre Covid and in the US. So I expect any in Europe or the UK to gofor a lot moremoney today. The OP can wish, but ......

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 04:57:46 pm
content: cheapest so farfrom USAhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/156171948041?2589 $ usd ??from japan with problems£2,830.74https://www.ebay.com/itm/156171948041?

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 07:52:57 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on June 11, 2024, 04:57:46 pm

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2024, 02:04:06 am
content: oh wellunless you test the a3 board drift, you can not assume it is fully functioningbut it gives you prices ideas ...

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2024, 07:26:51 am
content: Thanks for the helpful comments which are appreciated. The 3458A is probably a piece of classic design but it is not modern art to my way of thinking!I was very careful to state a "reasonable price" as these are never cheap. Gone are the days when I picked up a very faulty 3458A for £100 (in 2008) although some more reasonably priced examples do occasionally appear on eBay. I am probably going to have to be patient until the right one turns up.As for repairs, a few 3458As for board swapping in a good option although some spares is also a great start. I collected this lot on Wednesday & can now start the process of sorting out just what I have bought. I know that there are 83 PCBs & at least 2 complete sets amongst the boxes. This could keep me occupied for months. However my 3458A will not be used for board testing as it was recently calibrated by Keysight at great expense.I have had a few 3458As through my hands over the years & refurbished them before passing them on to members on this forum. For peace of mind it is essential to test the A3 PCB for drift. In my experience a few issues can be solved by replacing the electrolytic capacitors.I am under strict instructions that my first task is to get these out of our kitchen & then out of sight. Definitely a first world problem.Thanks againPhil

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2024, 09:55:09 am
content: ooooooooooh damn what a problem indeed, the "control tower" as given you some pressure loll

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2024, 07:36:52 am
content: Found one here in the UK & plan to collect next week. Then the fun begins....Phil

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 07:23:28 pm
content: Having met Phil and his long suffering wife...I can attest that the kitchen was the only space not full of test gear.

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2024, 08:26:00 am
content: QuoteHarsh as it was only in the kitchen over night from when I unloaded it. My wife encourages my hobby on the basis that she knows where I am & what I am doing. My test gear is (normally) limited to my rooms in the house (plus shed, garage & part of my son's basement). My wife used to work ay GEC Marconi Avionics & is used to engineers!I did go to see the 3458a this week & ended up buying three that were available. I do need to start selling some of the spare parts to get some money back. More details to follow....Phil