Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

[Michale32086]

I had asked about this, but it likely got buried in a current thread...

I am thinking about taking the next step in repair and obtaining a scope to test LCDs and PLASMAs with...

Functionality is obviously the first consideration, but a close second is affordability...

With that in mind, I came across this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221079073846...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

"Yes"??? "No"??? "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!"???

Thanx

[popeye]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

I would rather get a good seconhand one of a known brand Teckniks Rigole etc I think that looks like a toy plus never heard of them.

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Thanx for the reply...

Like this??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-22...item35e2b625bd

[tom66]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Avoid those little mini DSO things... they are pretty useless for all but basic work.

The Tek scope is a good solid instrument.

If you have a budget that can stretch to $400 consider a Rigol DS1054Z, as it is a full function digital oscilloscope with a vast array of powerful features. I have the bigger brother the DS1074Z and find it to be a fantastic oscilloscope very helpful for my diagnosis of plasmas and power supplies.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

If your budget is limited to $150 an used Tek, HP or Philips is your best bet.

I used to have a Russian 100MHz single channel scope and sold that. Then i got a 2x 10MHz National (Panasonic) scope. That thing was probably good for CRT TVs but it's next to useless for SMPS work or tracing ground loops in audio as it's got a 10mV/div minimum sensitivity, which turns into 100mV/div with a x10 probe. You are going to use the X10 probe most of the time, as it can take higher voltages (up to 600v, most scopes only accept 60v or so). Also the X10 probe has better bandwidth.

About 1 year later IIRC, i got lucky and found a Philips PM 3215 2x 50MHz. I got it for ~$85 shipped from another city here in Romania. Apart from some minor cracks in the front panel bakelite, it only needed a few caps replaced (it worked, but trace was a bit noisy) and some minor calibration. Extremely detailed service manual too. It has a 2mV/div minimum sensitivity (20mV/div with X10 probe), which is great. It can also do differential measurements, trigger hold-off and a few more nice functions.

Oh and it needs the graticule backlight bulbs replaced, but i never bothered with that, i can live without it. I swapped the blown bulb with a red LED but it is not bright enough compared to the right side where the bulb still works. White wouldn't work, it would have to be yellow or red to make the graticule stand out from the trace. It's no match for a Tek, but for the price i cannot complain. I kept the National scope as well, but it hardly sees any use now.

So yeah... if that's your budget, i would go for that Tek.

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Avoid those little mini DSO things... they are pretty useless for all but basic work.

The Tek scope is a good solid instrument.

If you have a budget that can stretch to $400 consider a Rigol DS1054Z, as it is a full function digital oscilloscope with a vast array of powerful features. I have the bigger brother the DS1074Z and find it to be a fantastic oscilloscope very helpful for my diagnosis of plasmas and power supplies.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rigol-DS1054...item4d2a089c51

That IS a pretty sweet one...

If I have a good weekend in my shop, I might be able to spring for this..

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

If your budget is limited to $150 an used Tek, HP or Philips is your best bet.

I used to have a Russian 100MHz single channel scope and sold that. Then i got a 2x 10MHz National (Panasonic) scope. That thing was probably good for CRT TVs but it's next to useless for SMPS work or tracing ground loops in audio as it's got a 10mV/div minimum sensitivity, which turns into 100mV/div with a x10 probe. You are going to use the X10 probe most of the time, as it can take higher voltages (up to 600v, most scopes only accept 60v or so). Also the X10 probe has better bandwidth.

About 1 year later IIRC, i got lucky and found a Philips PM 3215 2x 50MHz. I got it for ~$85 shipped from another city here in Romania. Apart from some minor cracks in the front panel bakelite, it only needed a few caps replaced (it worked, but trace was a bit noisy) and some minor calibration. Extremely detailed service manual too. It has a 2mV/div minimum sensitivity (20mV/div with X10 probe), which is great. It can also do differential measurements, trigger hold-off and a few more nice functions.

Oh and it needs the graticule backlight bulbs replaced, but i never bothered with that, i can live without it. I swapped the blown bulb with a red LED but it is not bright enough compared to the right side where the bulb still works. White wouldn't work, it would have to be yellow or red to make the graticule stand out from the trace. It's no match for a Tek, but for the price i cannot complain. I kept the National scope as well, but it hardly sees any use now.

So yeah... if that's your budget, i would go for that Tek.

Thanx for the info...

Anyone who "Works For Beer" is OK in my book!!!

[tom66]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

You can get a 6% discount if you buy it through EEVBlog. Also try and get the scope with four probes (some vendors only include two)

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/sp...vblog-members/

[mmartell]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Not sure how the Rigol 1052E stacks up but I got one used for about $230 usd.

[tom66]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

That's not too bad. But you should avoid buying a new one. The 1052E new is about $329, for an extra $70 you get a helluva lot more. Four channels, deep memory (12/24Mpt), intensity graded display, bigger high-res screen...

I used to have a DS1052E and it's a very solid instrument, but in my opinion the DS1054Z has completely changed the marketplace of budget scopes.

[tibimakai]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

I have the DS1052 and with a firmware update you can turn it into a 100Mhz scope. Check eevblog for this hack(or Youtube).

[tom66]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

I don't think you can do that on the newer 1052E scopes. You can upgrade the 1054Z and increase memory length, bandwidth, etc

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

I am going to check with a guy who wants me to repair TVs for him... If he wants to go in halves on the project, I'll get the DS1054Z thru EEVBLOG...

If not, then I'll go with the used Tektronix 2215 and (hopefully) work my way up..

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Tom, can you recommend a good vendor that will include 4 probes instead of 2??

[tom66]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Tom, can you recommend a good vendor that will include 4 probes instead of 2??

Ask them. I only have experience with a UK vendor who included four probes, I pushed them because their competitors had four probes, so got a price match + four probes + free 3 yr warranty. Since I got the 70MHz scope, before the 50MHz was available (at the amazing $400 price point), it cost me about £425 all in (about $650), including shipping.

Get vendors to compete against each other for the best prices.

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Well, looks like I'm ordering the Rigol DS1054Z!!

I had to promise the guy a buttload of fixed TVs, but a small price to pay..

WOOT!! Now I am pumped!!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Good choice!

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

Well, looks like the DS1054Z is on back order and likely won't see it for a month..

So, I opted for the DS1074Z which should go out immediately...

[Michale32086]

Re: Scope For Troubleshooting Voltages

And it DOES include 4 probes!!!

"hu hu uh..huh.. hu.. He said 'probe'.."
-Beavis & Butthead