[Boatanchors] HP 8640B issues

[Richard Solomon]

Tucker had a load of those HP Down-Converters, still in the original MIL 
packaging.
IIRC, they sold them for something in the $100 range. After spending a 
while
unpacking it. I think it was in 3 layers of packing, I was not impressed 
with the design.

It seemed to be something designed like the 8640B, the result of a DTC 
program
some military whiz kids came up with.

It still sits on the storage rack, unused to this day. If you live near 
Tucson, I'll make
you a deal you cannot refuse !!

73 es HH, Dick, W1KSZ


On 12/22/2014 6:35 PM, Ron Bussiere via Boatanchors wrote:
> Hi. I have a pretty nice collection of test equipment. On one bench, I have an 8640B sg and it is used with a 11710B down converter. I bought the 11710B as a NOS piece a few years ago and they made a nice pair.
> As you may know, the 8640B, while an excellent sg electrically, has a bunch of plastic parts that do NOT age well.
> The last time I tried to use the sg, I broke one of the plastic levers. Then, in the midst of a repair, the display//output no longer works. The display just flashes....
> So, I know there are places that do repair on these, but just wondering about the following solutions:
>
> 1. build a robust crate and ship it off to be 'restored'
> 2. buy one of the many sgs on eBay either as a parts donor or replacement
> 3. purchase a used HP 8656B
> 4. sell the 8640B as a parts unit and also sell the 11710B
>
> Although I really like the 8640B, those fragile levers and gears really, really turn me off. BTW, I do have a set of replacement plastic gears, so I do have some $ invested it it.
> I do have a bunch of other HP sgs, mostly the 608 series and my favorite, the 606A. These are great older, heavy duty sgs.......
>
> What to do?????
>
> ron
>
> N4UE
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