Manufacturer: TEKTRONIX (USA)
Model: 516, S#???
Vintage: 1962
Purpose: General Purpose
Condition: Working
Comments:
This unit is in good condition. The serial number was scratched out. It came to me together with various parts and documentation from an old repair shop. It does not work and testing showed that the HV transformer is defect. Once I have a replacement, it will be repaired and checked out. TEKTRONIX made some of the finest oscilloscopes and many engineers admire(d) them. While my collection is not focused on TEKTRONIX, I would never let one being thrown away, just like this one.
Model: 516, S#???
Vintage: 1962
Purpose: General Purpose
Condition: Working
Comments:
This unit is in good condition. The serial number was scratched out. It came to me together with various parts and documentation from an old repair shop. It does not work and testing showed that the HV transformer is defect. Once I have a replacement, it will be repaired and checked out. TEKTRONIX made some of the finest oscilloscopes and many engineers admire(d) them. While my collection is not focused on TEKTRONIX, I would never let one being thrown away, just like this one.
Update: Finally, the Tektronix 516 is alive again and it took considerable effort to get there. I want to use this scope as an example what I typically have to go through when restoring a scope. While this scope is more complex than most of the other scopes, the documentation is very detailed, complete with maintenance and calibration instructions, simply the best you can wish for when working on it.
First problem, as identified above was the HV transformer, where one of the seconday connections was corroded off or evaporated due to overload. With the expert help of Richard Sears, who was able to repair the transformer, the HV power supply could be made operational again. Thank You, Richard!
As part of replacing the HV transformer, all rectifiers (5642) and all capacitors in the HV circuit were replaced. At least one original capacitor was found to be defect.
A thorough cleaning was required before continuing with functional checks. Most smaller octal tubes showed a lot of corrosion on their pins. Potentiometers and switch contacts also were cleaned.
The calibration itself turned out to be a breeze. Only the Calibrator and the DC balance for both channels were out of specification.
All in all, the whole effort can be best described with.... mostly harmless.
Pictures of the calibrated unit...
First problem, as identified above was the HV transformer, where one of the seconday connections was corroded off or evaporated due to overload. With the expert help of Richard Sears, who was able to repair the transformer, the HV power supply could be made operational again. Thank You, Richard!
As part of replacing the HV transformer, all rectifiers (5642) and all capacitors in the HV circuit were replaced. At least one original capacitor was found to be defect.
A thorough cleaning was required before continuing with functional checks. Most smaller octal tubes showed a lot of corrosion on their pins. Potentiometers and switch contacts also were cleaned.
The calibration itself turned out to be a breeze. Only the Calibrator and the DC balance for both channels were out of specification.
All in all, the whole effort can be best described with.... mostly harmless.
Pictures of the calibrated unit...