Most badly knackered equipment you've come across - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:24:27 pm
content: Idly browsing Ebay, I came across this poor unfortunate device. Most items sold 'for parts' are generally well used, have been stripped for spares or have clearly suffered some kind of lab accident... but what on earth happened here?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEITHLEY-2000-Digital-Multimeter-/231494832103?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276Anyone come across a worse example of a piece of test equipment - and are there any amusing stories to go along with them?

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:29:29 pm
content: I sent a Fluke calibrator to the far east. On arrival the customer didn't check the AC setting and put too high a voltage into it and it reported an error. They emailed me that eight minutes after signing for it and sent it straight back. Unfortunately, instead of replacing all the packing material round it, they shoved all of that up one end and put the 40kg calibrator at the other. It got as squashed as that Keithley on the flight back, smashed most of the board connectors off the motherboard and rendered it a total right off.I've also seen some things that have been returned from a battlezone. I just hope no-one was using them at the time.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:37:06 pm
content: There's a well known ebay seller also based in Israel that offers items which frequently look as though someone has driven a tank over themeghttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-8840A-Digital-Multimeter-/151242550484?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2336c22cd4orhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-AGILENT-1671D-Deep-Memory-Logic-Analyzer-/181044263499?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a27143a4borhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Tektronix-7B53A-Dual-Time-Base-Plug-in-/150977914938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2326fc283aIt might even be the same seller using a different id.

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:37:35 pm
content: No bids, yet

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:37:41 pm
content: Without even looking at the ebay auction, I have a good idea what part of the world where it is likely from.Click. Yes, I was right.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:38:55 pm
content: I think that one literally fell of the back of a truck, then was run over by it.This seller is one that specialises in selling this stuff. Not cheap either, looking at the postage they charge for it as well.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:43:16 pm
content: Notice that item location is in Israel. There were a few forum posts about strangely and badly damaged devices from few sellers from Israel - maybe hey have local recycling centre for high end gear or something.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:45:22 pm
content: Quote from: JohnnyBerg on March 03, 2015, 08:37:35 pmNo, but thishttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-EVP-90-Hi8-8mm-SONY-TRANS-COM-VIDEO-CASSETTE-PLAYER-/150859318201?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231fea83b9sold, so there's chance yet

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:49:34 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on March 03, 2015, 08:45:22 pmWow .. $75 + $60 postage!And a feedback score 100% (out of 9123)How is that possible??

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 08:53:31 pm
content: They must be digging it out of a dump.I know the location of a dump, but from what is in there that I know I would not go digging in it.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 09:54:37 pm
content: This isn't test equipmentI can't specify what it is (job security), but I'll say I work in an automotive industry and this was removed from a vehicle which was involved in an accident

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 10:06:37 pm
content: Quote from: RobertHolcombe on March 03, 2015, 09:54:37 pmaThe VGA port and the two jacks above it comprise a face making an appropriate expression.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 10:21:59 pm
content: Hi,These items have probably been smashed up deliberately in a process called 'demilitarization'.I recently bought a Fluke 6061A/AN. The AN suffix means Army Navy. It was interesting to see what parts had been broken.1) The BNCs were attacked with pliers so connectors could not inserted.2) The fan was smashed. I guess this was an attempt to make it 'not air worthy'3) The top cover was missing.If you want to read about the process, start with:http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/416028m_vol2.pdfJay_Diddy_B

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 10:38:24 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on March 03, 2015, 10:06:37 pmLOL well spotted !!.Doesn't look too bad !, little bit of panel beating and bend the PCB back into shape!!Although its automotive so any panel shop will say "that will be 1000 bucks mate" , so I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2015, 11:29:47 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on March 03, 2015, 08:29:29 pmDid you still have to reimburse them after that?There were two severely damaged instruments that I've had thepleasureof dealing with over the years.First one was an HP 34401A, that was packed by an idiot. He taped a couple of pieces of cardboard around the case and put it into a box, which he stuffed with more bits of cardboard and a couple of crumpled pages of newspaper. The package looked so horrid, that I took photos before even starting to unpack. Something was rattling on the inside, the power switch was jammed and there were some cracks in the case. I sent that thing right back.The second was an HP 3631A power supply. I suppose the seller thought two layers of bubble wrap were more than enough to protect an 8 kilo instrument while being tossed around in a box.Its case got warped, similarly to the instrument in OP's post, just less severely, rattly bits again, rear bezel crushed and slightly damaged front.At first I contacted the seller directly and explained the situation. A couple of days passed, no response. I opened a case in eBay's resolution center and wrote everything down again. Same story again, no response. I then escalated the case to eBay officials and after a couple of days I received the message that I will be given a full refund, no return needed. Wasn't even upset.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 12:16:37 am
content: I got a nice looking Fluke voltage calibrator. Opened up inside it looked like it had been sitting next to a grinder for a long time, caked with fine grit and then left in the rain. A nice HP counter had half the board traces etched off from acid. Managed to save the oven and the pre scaler for the identical model I owned. It is common practice to drop from quite a height or run over with a fork lift equipment so it is destroyed for tax purposes. Not for the squeamish but some real deals can be had.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 01:27:53 am
content: Quote from: Seekonk on March 04, 2015, 12:16:37 amAgreed, but not when it is in Israel and the guy is asking relatively high prices to start with and then terrible shipping. If I was picking this stuff up locally I would gladly take it for twenty bucks and pick it apart for fun. Sounds like Dave got a bunch of great deals of actually working equipment for not a lot more than this guy in Israel wants.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 03:39:52 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 03, 2015, 08:53:31 pmProbably rummaging around buildings when side a does something to side b.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 03:51:36 am
content: Our friend in Israel again!

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 03:57:15 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on March 04, 2015, 03:39:52 amThat was my first thought too, but the forced reduction of equipment value to zero for tax depreciation purposes sounds even more realistic given how crazy the world can be sometimes.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 04:59:33 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/that-poor-meter/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/the-israelis-do-it-again!/Like the discussion in those threads says, this was probably salvaged from lots of scrap metal.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 05:04:22 am
content: Advantest 9 KHz - 8 GHz Spectrum Analyzer. $300 (including shipping) for parts. No front panel, dead LCD, wrong case. Other pictures used the VGA output jack on the back to show that the processor was alive and the sweep worked, but nothing was displayed. Once I sorted out all the errors in the internal cabling, things started to lookmuchbetter. Spent ~$200 more to add a front panel and working LCD and it's now useable although it still has a couple of issues.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 05:54:37 am
content: Quote from: RobertHolcombe on March 03, 2015, 09:54:37 pmOn first glance it looks to me like a vehicle tracking module/device. 2 RF connectors presumably for GPS antenna input and GSM/Mobile antenna (the Qualcomm modem and SIM socket are giveaways). The VGA and multiple serial interfaces indicate to me it's meant to be connected to a monitor and input devices for more than just programming/installation (touchscreen maybe?). Probably also supports audio/video input. My guess is this is from a Taxi (given that it's also been smashed up, as we all know how awesome Taxi drivers are)So a combination GPS tracking device/mobile data terminal perhaps?

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 06:14:13 am
content: Perhaps

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 07:09:26 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 04, 2015, 03:51:36 amBibi swung by for a visit in DC today. Someone should have asked him about all that overpriced ebay rubbish.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 07:37:21 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on March 04, 2015, 07:09:26 amHe would smile, and suggest that you ask Shin Bet about that. Then vanish fastish with his team.The questioner would suddenly find themselves in a quiet room, with a lot of well built gents and ladies in fitted suits, all smiling and asking a few pointed questions. Following that you get an all expenses special class airline ticket if the responses are not what they expected.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 07:55:16 pm
content: I have heard of equipment being destroyed for 'tax purposes' before, but why is that? What does tax have to do with it?

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 08:01:35 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 04, 2015, 03:51:36 amHow does this "friend" manage to get a 100% feedback score, with over 9000 items sold?

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 08:04:21 pm
content: Quote from: steve30 on March 04, 2015, 07:55:16 pmIt's declared unsaleable and written off as a loss, to make net profit lower therefore reduce corporation tax. I used to work for a huge Japanese multinational and can confirm this happened - we had a large axe to physically destroy computers, printers etc in front of the auditors.It's good stress relief for the first 15 minutes then it's just hard work after that...

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 08:32:12 pm
content: Quote from: RobertHolcombe on March 04, 2015, 06:14:13 amCough... GPS coordinates in your photo...

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 08:46:03 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on March 04, 2015, 08:32:12 pmWhich combined with google street view changes the "Perhaps" in "Most Certainly"

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 11:47:24 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on March 04, 2015, 08:32:12 pmAs they say, "A trap for young players";-)

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2015, 05:05:31 am
content: Quote from: Halon on March 04, 2015, 11:47:24 pmQLDer's ....

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2015, 05:27:16 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on March 04, 2015, 08:46:03 pmMaybe it was someone at the Gym proving his strength!Or a car wreck at the raceway most likely

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2015, 06:05:12 am
content: We're actually working out of the gym at the moment while our old premises is renovated, getting another 12m^2 space in my office

author: charlyd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2017, 11:24:02 pm
content: hi do you maybe have the Fluke manual from the 6061Athe manual is called # 808436 it has 22 pages of A3 FULL schematics.greetz charly

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2017, 11:39:56 pm
content: Without even checking I knew it would be the Israeli store. There are couple of Israeli stores that (in)famous for selling stuff like this, to the point that many people will exclude Israel from their test gear searches.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2017, 11:43:46 pm
content: Oh, didn't realise this was an old thread.I'll post the photos for reference.

author: bsudbrink
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2017, 11:49:32 pm
content: Oh, that's not so bad. A little work with a sheet metal roller and a box-and-pan break and it'll be practically good as new.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 02:37:36 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 28, 2017, 11:43:46 pmIt would have the description:'Unable to Test. Came from a working environment'.Jay_Diddy_B

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 03:05:13 am
content: Quote from: Jay_Diddy_B on November 29, 2017, 02:37:36 amOf course the "working environment" being a rubbish dump is conveniently left of the description.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 04:25:50 am
content: WOW..Looks like a "torsion injury"The lighting for the photography is really nice, though, have to say.Quote from: EEVblog on November 28, 2017, 11:43:46 pm

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 08:06:32 am
content: Can't buy that man, the power button is gone!

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 08:56:28 am
content: Quote from: cdev on November 29, 2017, 04:25:50 amI was just thinking that they've done the photo especially well. It wouldn't have taken much effort to do I'm sure, but it is a lot better than a blurry mobile phone photo (the kind you often get on ebay).

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 09:42:31 am
content: I've seen some turds in my time.I'll detail my worst recent one. I bought a non-functioning Heathkit IB-1100 frequency counter on ebay a year or two ago. When I received it, the mains plug was munted beyond all belief, the mains cable had holes in it, half the screws were missing, the fuse had been replaced with a massive bent nail, capacitors were rusty and bulging etc. Cracked it open to find the entire oscillator section had been replaced with a massive great big 1950 dated can crystal which was rusty and a big ceramic trimmer. The guy who had clearly done this fucking mess had used Jesus' own soldering iron warmed in the fires of hell to do the soldering and lifted all the tracks off the board so had sky-wired the whole thing. These were 1970s FR4 Heathkit boards which were pretty heavy duty as well and difficult to muck up.I stripped all the dead bits out, refused and rewired the mains side of things, tidied up the board, chucked some junk capacitors I had lying around in it and started work. Injected signal in from my signal generator into the oscillator output and that sort of worked so I decided to build a whole new oscillator section for it with what I had on hand. This was difficult as I only had some CMOS logic floating around and some 4MHz crystals so I built a CMOS oscillator and used a 74hc74 to divide by two twice. Had to fudge the first 7400N as one of the gates was used elsewhere and routed half way across the board.And it worked. And then I couldn't face staring at it any more so I sold it.

author: Kilo Tango
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 10:14:22 am
content: an R & S ZVK Vector Network Analyzer, quality bit of kit, goes up to 40GHZ.power and signal cables cut, and for some reason I do not understand, almost all the rigid RF lines on the RF deck have been cut and bent, plus a detector has been ripped out.I have managed to get it working, sort of, but there are interference spikes in the response, so a lot of work ahead. Aren't these supposed to have phase matched RF cables ?Ken