Advice on buying a tektronix TDS 544A scope

K

Kooner

Guest
I know someone that is selling a TDS 544A for $3000. No warranty is
offered and Tektronix will not repair if it fails because it is too
old. The seller will let me try it out first for a week before making
a decision. If the scope checks out, would anyone advise me to grab
it or spend a few bucks more and buy something new with a warranty.
For example, a TDS 3014B is $4600 new with a 3 year warranty.

Thanks,

Kooner
 
j.kooner@attbi.com (Kooner) wrote in
news:db2be42f.0403171928.4eda2ab6@posting.google.com:

I know someone that is selling a TDS 544A for $3000. No warranty is
offered and Tektronix will not repair if it fails because it is too
old. The seller will let me try it out first for a week before making
a decision. If the scope checks out, would anyone advise me to grab
it or spend a few bucks more and buy something new with a warranty.
For example, a TDS 3014B is $4600 new with a 3 year warranty.

Thanks,

Kooner
Well,TEK did not put component level schematics in their 'service'
manuals.Now,it's possible that the US military bought some,and they would
have TO's(tech orders) with more complete servicing data. Also,calibrating
one of these is not easy,they were done on automated test stands by TEK.You
need a PC to load cal constants into the TDS,and the software to do the
cal.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net
 
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:<Xns94B077F9F3A59jyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
j.kooner@attbi.com (Kooner) wrote in
news:db2be42f.0403171928.4eda2ab6@posting.google.com:

I know someone that is selling a TDS 544A for $3000. No warranty is
offered and Tektronix will not repair if it fails because it is too
old. The seller will let me try it out first for a week before making
a decision. If the scope checks out, would anyone advise me to grab
it or spend a few bucks more and buy something new with a warranty.
For example, a TDS 3014B is $4600 new with a 3 year warranty.

Thanks,

Kooner


Well,TEK did not put component level schematics in their 'service'
manuals.Now,it's possible that the US military bought some,and they would
have TO's(tech orders) with more complete servicing data. Also,calibrating
one of these is not easy,they were done on automated test stands by TEK.You
need a PC to load cal constants into the TDS,and the software to do the
cal.

Well, that's a difficulty wit hall tds3xx and tds5xx: The service
manual is downloadable, but it's on a module replace basis.
There are no detailed schematics around, AFAIK.

So if scope fails, you either need a junker scope to fix it OR you
have to "track down on component level" by yourself. This works quite
satisfactorily for the pwr supply (a switch mode bought from Zytek
Inc.) or the monitor unit.

But you get lost for the main assemblies: a lot of smd, so extremely
hard to repair.

just my 2 cts.

hth,
Andreas
 
and7@bigfoot.com (TekMan) wrote in
news:6a624601.0403182354.4c796248@posting.google.com:

Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:<Xns94B077F9F3A59jyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
j.kooner@attbi.com (Kooner) wrote in
news:db2be42f.0403171928.4eda2ab6@posting.google.com:

I know someone that is selling a TDS 544A for $3000. No warranty is
offered and Tektronix will not repair if it fails because it is too
old. The seller will let me try it out first for a week before
making a decision. If the scope checks out, would anyone advise me
to grab it or spend a few bucks more and buy something new with a
warranty. For example, a TDS 3014B is $4600 new with a 3 year
warranty.

Thanks,

Kooner


Well,TEK did not put component level schematics in their 'service'
manuals.Now,it's possible that the US military bought some,and they
would have TO's(tech orders) with more complete servicing data.
Also,calibrating one of these is not easy,they were done on automated
test stands by TEK.You need a PC to load cal constants into the
TDS,and the software to do the cal.


Well, that's a difficulty wit hall tds3xx and tds5xx: The service
manual is downloadable, but it's on a module replace basis.
There are no detailed schematics around, AFAIK.
It's been my understanding that -certain- TDS models that were purchased by
the US Navy were required to have complete service manuals,including
component-level schematics.What those models were/are,I do not know.
But those manuals may be available from some military source.
So if scope fails, you either need a junker scope to fix it OR you
have to "track down on component level" by yourself. This works quite
satisfactorily for the pwr supply (a switch mode bought from Zytek
Inc.) or the monitor unit.

But you get lost for the main assemblies: a lot of smd, so extremely
hard to repair.

just my 2 cts.

hth,
Andreas


--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net
 
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:<Xns94B167C1BD71Ejyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
and7@bigfoot.com (TekMan) wrote in
news:6a624601.0403182354.4c796248@posting.google.com:

....snippety..

Well, that's a difficulty wit hall tds3xx and tds5xx: The service
manual is downloadable, but it's on a module replace basis.
There are no detailed schematics around, AFAIK.

It's been my understanding that -certain- TDS models that were purchased by
the US Navy were required to have complete service manuals,including
component-level schematics.What those models were/are,I do not know.
But those manuals may be available from some military source.
You are absolutely right Jim: For the TDS3xxx series, IMHO the model
TDS3054 the US Navy and the Australian Forces (well, I hope I remeber
that news from an old Tektronix buletin right) bought in large
quantities, there are complete docs available.

The older ones (TDS3xx and TDS5xx): Well, sorry no detailed docs found
yet - but I'll do a posting asap when I am lucky digging the archives
:)


Andreas
 
"TekMan" <and7@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:6a624601.0403220036.5dd9a657@posting.google.com...
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:<Xns94B167C1BD71Ejyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
and7@bigfoot.com (TekMan) wrote in
news:6a624601.0403182354.4c796248@posting.google.com:

...snippety..

Well, that's a difficulty wit hall tds3xx and tds5xx: The service
manual is downloadable, but it's on a module replace basis.
There are no detailed schematics around, AFAIK.

It's been my understanding that -certain- TDS models that were purchased
by
the US Navy were required to have complete service manuals,including
component-level schematics.What those models were/are,I do not know.
But those manuals may be available from some military source.


You are absolutely right Jim: For the TDS3xxx series, IMHO the model
TDS3054 the US Navy and the Australian Forces (well, I hope I remeber
that news from an old Tektronix buletin right) bought in large
quantities, there are complete docs available.

The older ones (TDS3xx and TDS5xx): Well, sorry no detailed docs found
yet - but I'll do a posting asap when I am lucky digging the archives
:)


Andreas

The TDS-544A User Manual describes :
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Service Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8713-01)

However, I don't have this document. so I don't know what level of detail it
goes down to.



Ed
 
"Ed Price" <edprice@cox.net> wrote in
news:bJy7c.24302$uh.12097@fed1read02:

"TekMan" <and7@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:6a624601.0403220036.5dd9a657@posting.google.com...
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:<Xns94B167C1BD71Ejyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
and7@bigfoot.com (TekMan) wrote in
news:6a624601.0403182354.4c796248@posting.google.com:

...snippety..

Well, that's a difficulty wit hall tds3xx and tds5xx: The service
manual is downloadable, but it's on a module replace basis.
There are no detailed schematics around, AFAIK.

It's been my understanding that -certain- TDS models that were
purchased
by
the US Navy were required to have complete service
manuals,including component-level schematics.What those models
were/are,I do not know. But those manuals may be available from
some military source.


You are absolutely right Jim: For the TDS3xxx series, IMHO the model
TDS3054 the US Navy and the Australian Forces (well, I hope I remeber
that news from an old Tektronix buletin right) bought in large
quantities, there are complete docs available.

The older ones (TDS3xx and TDS5xx): Well, sorry no detailed docs
found yet - but I'll do a posting asap when I am lucky digging the
archives
:)


Andreas


The TDS-544A User Manual describes :
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Service Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8713-01)

However, I don't have this document. so I don't know what level of
detail it goes down to.



Ed
Those manuals just have block diagrams,a crude troubleshooting
'algorithm',and module level part numbers,and where to call for module
exchange.IIRC,they do come with a software disk to perform calibrations,and
a cal procedure using separate cal instruments. (TEK uses an
integrated,automated cal station)

The TDS3000 series is after my time at TEK,but I recall the TDS300's having
a complete service manual for the military's purchase of them.
Smart of the military to require it!

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net
 
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:<Xns94B4645C07A27jyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
"Ed Price" <edprice@cox.net> wrote in
news:bJy7c.24302$uh.12097@fed1read02:


"TekMan" <and7@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:6a624601.0403220036.5dd9a657@posting.google.com...
Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message
news:<Xns94B167C1BD71Ejyanikkuanet@204.117.192.21>...
and7@bigfoot.com (TekMan) wrote in
news:6a624601.0403182354.4c796248@posting.google.com:

...snippety..


You are absolutely right Jim: For the TDS3xxx series, IMHO the model
TDS3054 the US Navy and the Australian Forces (well, I hope I remeber
that news from an old Tektronix buletin right) bought in large
quantities, there are complete docs available.

The older ones (TDS3xx and TDS5xx): Well, sorry no detailed docs
found yet - but I'll do a posting asap when I am lucky digging the
archives
:)


Andreas


The TDS-544A User Manual describes :
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Service Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8713-01)

However, I don't have this document. so I don't know what level of
detail it goes down to.



Ed





Those manuals just have block diagrams,a crude troubleshooting
'algorithm',and module level part numbers,and where to call for module
exchange.IIRC,they do come with a software disk to perform calibrations,and
a cal procedure using separate cal instruments. (TEK uses an
integrated,automated cal station)

The TDS3000 series is after my time at TEK,but I recall the TDS300's having
a complete service manual for the military's purchase of them.
Smart of the military to require it!

That'S good to know, Jim. It would be real perfect to get the detailed
service manuals for the tds300 series: It's a PITA to service the pwr
supply or monitor without a good schematic.

Well, if anyone on the web would like to contribute the tds300
schematics: Pls. leave a notice here.

Andreas
 

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