diff -r 90ee7c1f5d08 -r fd44150ec807 content/hp8662a_2.rst --- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/content/hp8662a_2.rst Thu Apr 12 02:55:14 2018 +0200 @@ -0,0 +1,73 @@ +=============================================== + HP8662A Synthetized Signal Generator - Part 2 +=============================================== + +:Author: David Douard +:Category: Electronics +:Tags: HP8662A, repair, test equipment, HP, Generator, RF +:series: HP 8662A +:series_index: 2 + +This is the part 2 on my series about my HP 8662A Signal Generator. +After fixing the PSU, several more problems needed to be addressed: + +- a few sloppy keys on the keypad, +- the know did not work at all, +- and more importantly, some very unpleasant spectrums at some frequencies + (covered in part 3). + + +Keypad +====== + +The keypad was, as allways with HP devices from this period, very hard and +"clunky" for most keys but 2. + +No surprise: these keys were missing their famous (well, for some at least) spring: + +.. image:: {filename}images/hp8662a/key_missing_springs.jpg + :class: image-process-large-photo + +As you can (not) see, the "Status" key as well as the "Increment Set" key have +no spring at all. + +While I was cleaning the unit, I've been half-lucky and found one of the 2 +missing springs. But I had to figure a solution for the other missing one. + +I thought about: + +- buying a replacement key: the ones I found are ridiculously expensite, +- buying a front panel for an HP gear from this era: might be a reasonable approach, +- looking for ready made springs: could not find, +- asking some custom made ones from a company making springs: got a few + responses, one of them quite reasonable even for small quantities (between 3 + to 5€ each). + +While I was looking for a solution, I also gave a try to a simple solution: cut +a replacement "spring" from a plastic wrap. I tried several wraps (of several +widths), and I found one that seems to work just fine, and the feeling is about +the same as original keys: + +.. image:: {filename}images/hp8662a/key_hack.jpeg + :class: image-process-large-photo + +.. image:: {filename}images/hp8662a/key_hack_anim.gif + +I cleaned all keys using some deoxit contact cleaner which also lubricated +those noisy springs making the keys nice ans smooth again. + + +Rotary encoder +============== + +The rotary encoder was not working at all, and once again, a classical failure +for those old HP gears: the small bulb used as light source for the optical +encoder was dead. + +I tried to replace it with a 3mm LED I had in my junk box, but it did not work, +so I bought a few replacement bulbs on ebay, and sure enough, the encoder is +now working ok (not perfectly, there are some missed steps: there are two small +screws that look like adjustment screws, but I'm not sure how to tune them). + +.. image:: {filename}images/hp8662a/encoder.jpeg + :class: image-process-large-photo