Showing posts with label Scope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scope. Show all posts

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Hameg 203-6 repair: we have a lead! VB#4

So we have found the problem as to why its not working! Turns out my original assumption of thinking that because there was the right potential difference between the -1877V line and the -1900V line that there was indeed those potentials there.

But after thinking about it, I could measure the -1900V line by actually measuring the individual voltages across the potential divider network for the focus adjustment:
Turns out it came out A LOT lower than expected: 95V. That's way lower!

The problem only occurred due to a lapse in concentration. Usually, given that there are are high voltages flying round the timebase PCB and the back of the CRT PCB, I turn off the scope altogether and disconnect the mains whilst I have a think, take notes, and read the schematic. That's a pretty safe way of working. But this time I'd left it on and started to smell burning dust: that smell you get when the radiators are first turned on in your house after summer (ok people in temperate climates might not know what I'm on about).

Turning off the power, disconnecting the mains and then using the finger test found that IC501 - an opto-isolator - was very hot. Pulling it out and diode testing the diode emitter on it found it was very poorly, reading more ohmic than a semiconductor!

With the opto out, I thought why not test to see if I get the right voltages on the focus resistor network, and BINGO! Readings matched the calculations!

So next step is to order a replacement, double check that nothing else could have been taken out, and fit the new component.

Its very odd though - on day the opto's working and the next its dead!

Monday, 17 August 2015

Busted HM203-6 - VB#2

So this would probably be my second video blog, hooray!
So I hooked up my scope a few days ago and it worked, nice trace appeared. Next day I plugged in some probes I got donated to me, and nothing, sweet FA!

I my haste, I admit, I didn't note down the scope model number. I thought it was a HM203-7 from pictures I searched for, but then realised it was a HM203-6 - DOH!

I noticed after some of the connector numbers did not match those on the schematics!

With the correct schematics in hand, I set about looking at a few high voltage lines - why the high voltage lines? Well I was getting no display yet I was getting the trigger LED to light when I put in the test signal on channel 1, which lead me to suspect the tube was not displaying the signal yet the triggering system was seeing the signal.

I LIKE TO MAKE CLEAR, THERE ARES SOME PRETTY NASTY VOLTAGES THAT WILL BELT YOU IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL OR ARE INEXPERIENCED - TAKE CARE OR DO NOT UNDERTAKE IF YOU DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT!

Here are links to relevant things:
Hameg HM203-7 service manual
Hameg HM203-6 service manual
EEVblog forum post