Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> I have a number of pieces of test equipment (HP, Tek, Fluke...digital/
> analog/RF) that have been sitting in storage for a decade.
>
> Time to apply the power and see if they work.
>
> What is the recommended procedure to bring test equipment that has
> been stored for a long period?
>
> Also is there a MIL document that relates to this subject?
>
> Thanks for what info you can offer.
>
> TMT
Depends on the equipment. In our shop we constantly use old test gear
from the 70s (Fluke 9010, scopes) and they rarely need attention.
If you are worried about electrolytics exploding then you could run the
equipment on a Variac and dial it up gradually - note that this is not
going to work with switching supply machines.
On the other hand gear that uses tape or hard drives can have failures
related more to moving parts seizing up. Tape drive equipment will
likely have flattened capstans and melted drive belts, ancient hard
drives may have turned into 'shake&bake' where you have to give them a
snap to start the platters turning (don't do this if it DOES work!) -
the bake part is to leave it on from then on until you can archive the
data safely!
There are electronic replacements for old hard drives SCSI, MFM, and IDE
you just have to do a little hunting and sometimes pleading.
I picked up a SCSI adapter that I am going to see if my IDE to SmartCard
device can interface with so I can replace the drive completely on my
Fluke 9100s. Might get to this project this summer...
With stuff only a decade in storage? I'd turn it on and see what happens
- most likely it will work if there is no corrosion.
John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
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