Fixing My Old Heath Kit Oscilloscope

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The discussion centers on repairing an old Heath Kit oscilloscope, with the user identifying faulty B+ filter capacitors as the issue rather than transformer windings. A replacement capacitor has been ordered, and the user plans to share a photo once the oscilloscope is operational. Participants reminisce about the fun of using vintage oscilloscopes, including creating Lissajous figures with audio inputs. There are also humorous exchanges about the quirks of older models and the challenges of syncing them. The conversation reflects a shared enthusiasm for vintage electronics and the nostalgia associated with them.
dlgoff
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I may be slow but I'm finally getting around to fixing my old Heath Kit oscilloscope.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=4163291&postcount=7

Turns out not to be a open transformer winding but the B+ filter can-capacitors.

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/912/ta9t.jpg

I just order one of these from http://www.tubesandmore.com/.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product/c-ec4020x2-525.gif

I'll post a pic once there's a trace. :biggrin:
 
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heh. I think I got one of those up i my attic. As far as I know it still works.
 
I still have an old O-scope out in the garage. I would like to give it away, but I don't know anybody that could use it, and I sure don't want to ship it.
 
And now the Outer Limits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outer_Limits_(1963_TV_series )

There is nothing wrong with your oscilloscope Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to – The Outer Limits.
 
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Those old scopes are such fun. I love putting left audio on X, right audio on Y and a phase shift network to make the lows appear circular. (used to drive TV deflection coils that way too with surplus servo amps)
 
meBigGuy said:
Those old scopes are such fun. I love putting left audio on X, right audio on Y and a phase shift network to make the lows appear circular. (used to drive TV deflection coils that way too with surplus servo amps)

I always liked the lissajous figures:

gsed_0001_0014_0_img3523.png
 
Ryoko said:
heh. I think I got one of those up i my attic. As far as I know it still works.
Get up there and get it. What kind is it?
 
turbo said:
I still have an old O-scope out in the garage. I would like to give it away, but I don't know anybody that could use it, and I sure don't want to ship it.

sophiecentaur mentioned "digital" but I bet he could use it, assuming you could get it to the UK without shipping. :rolleyes:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=731144
 
jedishrfu said:
And now the Outer Limits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outer_Limits_(1963_TV_series )

There is nothing wrong with your oscilloscope Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to – The Outer Limits.

dlgoff said:
I'll post a pic once there's a trace. :biggrin:

Now I know what my pic will be. :thumbs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-INCwFxeVVY
 
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  • #10
meBigGuy said:
(used to drive TV deflection coils that way too with surplus servo amps)
In my college days while doing research using a 4Mev Van de Graaff generated proton beam, I used a TV deflection coil on the beam tube to produce a raster on the "Kapton" film target holding the sample; in order to keep it from burning up too soon. Worked great.
 
  • #11
dlgoff said:
sophiecentaur mentioned "digital" but I bet he could use it, assuming you could get it to the UK without shipping. :rolleyes:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=731144

Those old things would only sync if you held your feet at a certain angle and held your breath! Give me the Fantasmatron (I think that was the name in the old Tektronics models), to play with. One day a guy from HP turned up and all subsequent scopes would sync to anything without needing that little knob in the middle of the big sync knob..

BTW, what is that evil looking lead in the foreground? I hope it's not the mains supply lead and that the IEC connector behind is the one you use.
 
  • #12
sophiecentaur said:
Those old things would only sync if you held your feet at a certain angle and held your breath!
What! Just look at this fine sync calibration procedure. :-p

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5383/wsxo.jpg


BTW, what is that evil looking lead in the foreground? I hope it's not the mains supply lead and that the IEC connector behind is the one you use.

Yes and yes. We use 115VAC in this part of the world, so all is good. Wait until I post a pic of my vintage wiring display which will power this old baby. :cool:
 
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