Teardown : Keithley 2510 TEC SMU repair and calibration [complete] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 12:31:11 am
content: Here Keithley gear goes again. I probably already won title of Keithley hoarder multiple times.This time it's about TEC-oriented SMU. For those who don't know - TEC is a semiconductor module working based on Peltier principle,which is basically describing forces heat transfer effects by using electrical P-N junctions from cold side to hot side.This SMU capable of directly controlling 10V@5A TEC element, to a specific temperature setpoint.Model 2510 is pretty expensive and rather specialized device to be in most of lab. But if unit is broken with diagnosis "Does not power on",then it's tempting to get one and try to fix. I was thinking to build small temperature chamber for testing voltage references andmeasuring tempco of resistors, and small PCBA's, so if I can manage to fix this TEC SMU - it will make controlling temperature for such a project an easier job.Let's see how this evolve. I expect to receive it somewhen next week.If anyone have experience with KI 2510, or have any internal photos - those are very much welcome!So far I only have this photoService manualUser manualFor calibration of Keithley 2510 we will need next standards:Resistors1?, ±0.1%, 100W100?, ±1%1k?, ±1%10k?, ±1%100k?, ±1%For measurement they recommend using Keithley 2002 (which I luckily have, along with calibrated this year Model 2001).2002's spec:DC Voltage +20V: ±6.8ppmResistance20?: ±23ppm200?: ±19ppm2k?: ±7.4ppm20k? ±7.4ppm200k?: ±29.8ppmProject tracker

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 01:08:31 am
content: I liik forward to the repair.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 03:23:04 am
content: TiN,PM sent. It was 15 minutes to get inside. Much easier than the 2001.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 04:01:22 am
content: I uploaded my pics to your ftp server. I need better lighting but I can take more tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything else and I can get them for you. Unfortunately, I don't have an adapter(yet) for my programmer or I would make a backup of the firmware. I will look into this as well for my GQ-4X.Good luck.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 04:28:00 am
content: Very nice, thanks a lot. You don't mind if I post them here as well?Is it possible to get a closeup around U125,U172? These are Voltage references according to service manual.U125 have just LT005 marking if I see it correctly. I wonder what that is.U172 is near output connector and three-legged metal can current source (LM334)Based on photos it's easy to spot Digital and ADC section borrowed from Keithely 2000Wonder if there could be way to hack current/voltage limits. Also autotuning function from 2510-AT modelI also have Model 2000, would be fun to see what are differences on schematics level between two.So far my plan :* Get a unit, check for any physical damages. Check VFD.* Check any leaking caps, burnt/missing components, relays.* Power unit on, check voltages, +10.4V, +4V, +6.3V, -12.5V, +12.5V, 0V, 0.5V, 5V* Check front panel (I am 99% sure front panel from 2001 will just work fine)* Debug issues as they come...

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2014, 05:14:12 am
content: I uploaded two more pics. You can share them here if you like. I did not see any unpopulated pads, I am willing to bet the AT is all in FW, maybe it can be unlocked. I did see the jumper on the board but it did not look like it was documented.It definitely has LT005 on both references.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2014, 06:17:32 pm
content: Alright, I got my 2510 today.* Get a unit, check for any physical damages. Check VFD.Done..No visual damage anywhere. Dirty outside, but everything nice inside. Front display board seem to be replaced, as datecodes on it are 2007, but mainboard is dated 1999.Back of it:Same board with onboard HV voltage boost is used in Keithley 2002 and 2400. 2001,7001 have HV voltage boost for VFD on their boards, not front panel board.Face:Display board and VFD are fine and working (supplied +5.000VDC from KI2400, VFD draws 0.45ish Amps, and showing "No Comm Link" which is what MCU on display board outputs if no serial link data received.* Check any leaking caps, burnt/missing components, relays.Done, everything seems fine visually. Relay coil is fine.* Power unit on, check voltages, +10.4V, +4V, +6.3V, -12.5V, +12.5V, 0V, 0.5V, 5VPower on - nothing is happening. No any segments lit on front panel, no reaction on output button toggle, no buzz or fuzz.Checking test points using my KI2001 as per service manual:J1033 front panel +5V: 4.715 VDC (below -5% specified in manual, but I think it's OK, just voltage for front panel)J1003 p3 : 14.985 VDC (OK)TP102 : 4.980 VDC (OK)TP112 : 5.010 VDC (OK)TP101 : 14.958 VDC (OK)TP105 : -15.162 VDC (OK)TP106 : 5.020 VDC (OK)TP107 : 4.974 VDC (OK)* Debug issues as they come...Popped firmware PLCC32 into MiniPro to read it (ATMEL AT49F040 chip), as it have sticker 2510-800-A11, andtada...It's blank (all bytes 0xFF)..I flashed it with C32 firmware from Keithley 2400, now it shows No Comms Link...So it's a "progress", meaning it might be just borked firmware...And I need our fellow community help, a firmware dump of AT49F040 PLCC32 ROM to be exact, as mine seems to be blank (all bytes are 0xFF).All voltages seem to be just fine (did not check ripple/noise, just measure with K2001).Keithley website, nor their forum does not have 2510 firmware available for downloadAs a appetizer for a thread, some hi-res photos (clickable).Overview on mainboard:GPIB and firmware flash chip (ATMEL AT49F040).Isolation and digital I/OOutput connector and circuitry around it. According to service manual, U172 is voltage reference. Anyone knows what that part is?Multislope custom ADC chip leveraged from Keithley 2000.CPU and SRAMInfamous TF-245 resistor network, same as Keithley 2000. Some analog stuff around..Voltage regulator circuits and front panel connector.Voltage regs switcherLDO's for +15. -15 and 5V.Another switcher.Amp controllerVoltage reference (U125), some PTF56 resistors and analog circuits.More output circuitry..DC-DC taking +15V from mains AC/DC and downconverting into +5VThat's it for today, hope it's just missing firmware...

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2014, 11:01:21 pm
content: Posted a request onKeithley forums

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2014, 11:18:21 pm
content: I see you have version A11. I hope you can get an update as mine is apparently A03. I will verify it when I get home. Maybe mine was updated after is what manufactured.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2014, 11:21:03 pm
content: Well, I have none, as firmware chip is blankSo I need anything to get it flashed and try if unit works.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2014, 11:51:50 pm
content: How could the chip be erased? Failed upgrade? AFAIK any ageing or failure of the part would cause minor corruption.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 03:44:58 am
content: My 2510 is reporting version A03. I am looking for an adapter for my programmer. Hopefully I can get one on order for tomorrow. I will need to backup my 2001's too.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 04:33:21 am
content: Help is appreciated!Also for 2001 I have dumps from my units availablein repository here, as well as calibration EEPROMs.A08 (regarding 2001) is the one you want, as it have fixed some TRMS operation issues, without which Tek service was unable to calibrate my 2001.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 05:34:54 am
content: What is the voltage reference chip? I'm bad at figuring them out without a more useful part number.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 09:48:38 am
content: AsLinear Top markings documentshows, 0425 code corresponds toLT1004CS8-2.5 20ppm/°Cvoltage reference zener.So that mystery did not hold for very long

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 10:01:40 pm
content: Thanks for that. I was wondering why ltc100 was not turning anything useful up. I thought that the bottom number was a date code.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2014, 12:44:48 am
content: Folks fromKeithley forumsshared firmware for 2510, so as expected, flashed it to ROM, everything booted up fine.Boot messageCalibration datesI think calibration might be corrupted, as serial number is lost?Hooked it up with my 2002, output seems off too muchI think it's time to find good resistors and calibrate this thing

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2014, 01:24:13 am
content: I just noticed someone posted the fw to the Keithley forum. Good job!

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2014, 05:53:49 am
content: Let's calibrate it...Resistors:1 Ohm :Vishay VPR5 1R00000.1% 5W 10ppm/K100 Ohm :VPG VHP202Z 120R00 0.05%0.2ppm/K1 KOhm :VPG VHP202Z 1K0000 0.01%0.2ppm/K10 KOhm :VPG VHP202Z 10K000 0.01%0.2ppm/K100 kOhm :Fluke wirewound 142349100K 0.1% 5ppm/K

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2014, 07:40:07 pm
content: Resistors characterization, +26 room temp, 10 NPLC, 8.5 digit Model 2002.Various calibration steps, entering measured resistance values into K2510Finish, enter new dates...Checking now output voltage with calibrated (in Feb 2014) Keithley 2001.REL to null output offset (2510 output ON, Set voltage 0.00000 VDC)Checking current output source:Repair and calibration is complete, easy score here....Now need to build little thermally insulated chamber with TEC element and RTD (I have few Honeywell HEL-705's) and ready to measuretempco of resistors and devices for my KX project!In worst case Model 2510 can be used as 10V 5A four-quadrant power supply

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2014, 07:44:13 pm
content: Video of stepping from 0V to +10V and to -10V

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 02:18:37 am
content: ManateeMafia, is your 2510 have fan running when power on?I suspect fan on mine is broken, as it does not operate.But not sure if it supposed to be working all the time (like on all of my 2001's, 2002) or just turn on after reaching certain loading/temperature.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 10:54:08 am
content: Noone really probably care, but I was using 2510 last few days for some testing and gotcha few scope screenshots ofvoltage and current behaviour on turn on/turn off sourceIt's pretty slow during ramps, doing it in funky steps, but when it get's there, it's pretty damn accurateRamp to 2.0000 Amps into 1.7 ohm resistorTurn offStep measurements..

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 10:15:15 pm
content: TiN,I checked my 2510 and the fan does not seem to come on by default. Hopefully that is a good sign. Great work on the cal and graphs.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2015, 12:40:47 pm
content: Just for completeness, combined all data intoarticle, including enabling to 2510-AT

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2015, 02:52:05 am
content: Your post reminded me that I bought a plcc adapter for my 2510 firmware.I tried the secret menu but my rev A03 fw has no AT enable feature. I backed up my firmware and was going to flash the fw from your website until I noticed you were using the s file format.Do you happen to have a bin file instead? I tried mot2bin.exe and it gave me a much larger file. I have not used this utility before today. Any help would be appreciated.I will email you the A03 file when I get a chance.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2015, 05:24:14 am
content: Never mind, I figured it out. I was able to use my programmer even though it wasn't immediately obvious. I did find another utility that would also work. It is 010 editor.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 03:52:39 pm
content: I used WinHEX.Binary was posted before in repository as well:http://dev.xdevs.com/projects/rnd/repository/show/Keithley/2510/firmwareThanks for A03.I am pretty positive that you may need recalibration, so beware.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 11:58:43 pm
content: You are correct, calibration constants appear to be lost. This is not a big deal, the only caveat is that I don't have a 1ohm 100W resistor. I have the rest in one form or another.The serial number was also lost. I found your dump of the serial eeprom and it looks like the serial number is stored in the first set of bytes. I have ordered another adapter for my programmer.I am looking at building a resistor array using some Riedon FPR2A-10RF1 or lower ohm value across a long heat sink. I have found a few enclosures and heat sinks I could mod. I have already done this for another test jig and it turned out fine.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 08:55:14 am
content: You don't really need 100W rated resistor, SMU does not give that much power and it's pretty quick anyway.I used 7W ones posted in thread above, worked well, and resistor was not even heat up.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 12:33:40 pm
content: That is good to know. I have a 1 ohm vhp-4 resistor but it has a max of 3A. I will find something a little beefier without the need for a another major project.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 05:30:22 pm
content: TiN,Have you powered the 2510 through a GFCI outlet? So far, I have only had my 2510 trip the breaker. It happens almost immediately so it makes me think the SMPS inside the 2510 is causing the issue.I only have one GFCI in the room and I will probably pick up a different adapter but I would like to know if you had any experience with this.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 05:55:32 pm
content: I had to google what is that first.No, i power all my gear from standard earthed outlets, which run into standard apartment breakers. Its 110VAC 60Hz here in Taiwan.

author: gamalot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 12:23:51 pm
content: I got my Keithley 2510 a few weeks ago and it has a slightly different main circuit board, the famous TF245 was replaced with a BI's resistor network and some chip resistors.After upgrading the firmware from A03 to version A11, I was able to find the hidden "Autotune" menu item and set it to 2510-AT.Thank you very much Ilya.