Look what I found - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 02:57:21 am
content: Hi all,I was walking down a street I am rarely on and I so happened to pass a large pile of electronic instruments waiting for trash collection. With no sense of self awareness or shame I dove in head first looking for cool stuff. The advantage of living in a big city is nobody will remember your face. To my delight I found the two parts I need to complete my lab as I have been collecting as per Dave's instruction video. A HP 8116A function generator and a XFR 20-60 power supply. How is that for good fortune ?In fact there were a number of instruments that I left behind and I am kind of regretting that. Most were RF related. There was an HP fiber optic analyzer, various analog HP scopes which I did not check the range of, and a few rack mount RF amplifiers. In any case I took all I could carry and it nearly killed me, and this is all I know how to use anyway. Take a look....https://plus.google.com/photos/108345563456111646295/albums/5779319530166094785?authkey=CL-D87yK6fqO8gEThe function generator has a jammed power switch in the bottom left of the panel and a missing level knob. The power supply seems intact for the most part, except for some plastic damage. I can just take the film off and replace it if you look at the photos. There was also a HP clock that can take a frequency reference that I thought was very cool so I grabbed it.So how should I go about testing and repairing these parts ? Good find or am I now the owner of some heavy outdated garbage ?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 03:15:32 am
content: Awesome find!Whenever i find gear that's been abandoned i always take it to bits and give it a good clean before powering it on.You never know what sort of environment its been kept in, if it has been rained on, or rats have lived inside etc..Turning it on can blow up good gear that only requires a clean.It gives you time to get to know your new equipment and replace any bulging caps or leaking batteries.I always feel better once i've given it a good clean, it feels more like my gear rather than someones trash on my desk

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 07:15:47 am
content: The winds of good fortune have blown upon you

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 07:48:26 am
content: Test gear dumped on the side of the road?Why didn't you go back?!Dave.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 09:01:50 am
content: Lol, where do you live man?

author: sotos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 12:02:30 pm
content: Please. Tell us where it is.And stop the trash collection van.

author: MetraCollector
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 01:27:28 pm
content: Incredible and congratulationsIn Slovakia and Czech Republic it is impossible to find something like this on the street. Only stupid malfunctioning chinese craps, usually with missing metal parts.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 02:36:16 pm
content: That is a serious power supply, 60A at 20V!

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 03:02:56 pm
content: 20V 60A smells like automotive lab/workshop.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 10:32:47 pm
content: My stuff! I was moving in and left it on the curb for "just a minute", and then got into an argument with the landlord that lasted longer than I expected. When I finally got back outside, half of my best test equipment was gone!:-)

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 11:32:09 am
content: Very nice, congratulations! If you live in a residential part of the neighborhood I hope it wasn't someone going silent key.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 02:45:10 pm
content: Hi, You never guess what happened to me. I was loading some test gear from my car, which belonged to my dear late father's car shop who passed away recently, god bless him. But unfortunately it wouldn't all fit in my car, so I planned to make two trips, but when I got back..... ;-)

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 09:31:57 pm
content: Well just as I was leaving a guy in a van pulled up and started hauling the stuff in the back. I did return but all gone.Had a look at the function generator will post pics soon. Some of the signal wires are cut inside. I think it may be a failed repair which is unfortunate because anyone who would even attempt to repair that is likely more qualified than I am. Will take some pics soon of the insides of all three.It would make sense someone going SK. Didn't think of that.Quite common in NY to find piles of abandoned equipment. More often than not working and is worth a fair bit. Floor space is a THE premium here so people just don't care.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2012, 03:52:30 pm
content: In the end, even if the guy in the van took it to sell, at least the devices are being re-used, rather than for recycling, or worse, landfill. If it was a SK, I'd think he/she'd be happy that the gear still lives on even if he/she isn't.Quote from: openthomas on August 24, 2012, 09:31:57 pm

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2012, 11:56:13 am
content: Well I have done a teardown of the clock. Really nicely engineered product. Well impressed with the work that went into it. After cleaning it powered on too. As far as I can see its 100%. Consumes 13W :<.https://plus.google.com/photos/108345563456111646295/albums/5782801724929351777?authkey=CM6l0taAz6eJNQ

author: cookie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 02:08:41 pm
content: hey,why didn't you go back ,where do u live

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2012, 10:03:57 pm
content: NYC. Did a teardown on the other two units. Will post pics soon. The power supply seems intact. Various botches looks like from the factory. The function generator is a failed repair. Bit of a mess inside threw it up on ebay. Build quality was nowhere near the clock. Same manufacturing techniques though. The power supply has some chemicals damage on the transformers. Not sure if I should risk plugging it in. If I do whats the maximum voltage / current I can safely test with my fluke ?

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2012, 05:59:04 pm
content: Here is the power supply teardownhttps://plus.google.com/photos/108345563456111646295/albums/5786978529264777057?authkey=CMiu0PHO9YHtJwThis is the function generatorhttps://plus.google.com/photos/108345563456111646295/albums/5786977200584865617?authkey=CIe718nwjI_-vwENot the best photos I apologize. I had more shots but it appears the lamp interfered with the camera focus.