Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Yes, I recommend switching to a networked GPIB interface. I have long waited to acquire a used E5810A and at last I succeeded. Of course it was not so cheap (380$) but very versatile to use. At work I use an Agilent 82357B, highly recommended. Frequently pops up on eBay, not cheap but you can find the IOAgilentSuite (free) library (to write in MicrosoftC/BorlandC your code) directly on the Agilent website. On 10/10/11, Paul A. Cianciolo pa...@snet.net wrote: Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Looking for a Counter - msg for Chuck
On 10/8/2011 10:43 AM, Roy Phillips wrote: Chuck If you failed to get the Racal - don't worry, the HP is a better product without all that aggravation that comes with doubts about the front panel buttons that frequently fail, and the symbols that wear off. The HP 5334A or B are a better bet, and the 5445A even better, if you can accept the additional size and fan noise. I intend replacing the fan in my 5335A with a 12 volt substitute. Its just the hassle of finding a 12 volt 300mA ? source within the instrument. Good luck Roy Chuck, I have been unable to reply to the email you sent to me regarding a counter. I have tried three separate email accounts through two different internet providers. All say they are unable to deliver to your address. Chris w0ep ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Though I think this thread may be wrapping up. I have run into many of the same issues. The old isa cards are cheap at hamfests $5 most folks have no clue any longer as to what they are. I have never actually seen a pci card at a swap. So at the moment I have both an isa card and NI network box in a mother board running Win 98. All of it kind of nuts and messy. Also picked up a circa 2002 NI lab. To be honest until now I really did not have a real use for it. ?? I don't suppose timelab would run on win 98?? Anyhow many of these things have no drivers or support for more modern OS's. I do fortunately have numbers of rs232 to gpib boxes and actually want to try that on the 5370 with time lab. So as far as getting the prologix I suspect thats a wise approach actually. If your goal is to simply Get it done. Regards Paul. On Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.itwrote: Yes, I recommend switching to a networked GPIB interface. I have long waited to acquire a used E5810A and at last I succeeded. Of course it was not so cheap (380$) but very versatile to use. At work I use an Agilent 82357B, highly recommended. Frequently pops up on eBay, not cheap but you can find the IOAgilentSuite (free) library (to write in MicrosoftC/BorlandC your code) directly on the Agilent website. On 10/10/11, Paul A. Cianciolo pa...@snet.net wrote: Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Hi 64 bit Windows 7 is the most restrictive OS I have seen so far in terms of drivers. 32 bit is a bit more forgiving. I would *guess* that 32 bit Windows will be a bit of a dinosaur three to five years from now. Just as you are still running Win 98, that does not mean other versions will be dead and gone. Only that a pretty cheap PC down at the big box store of your choice likely will not have a 32 bit OS on it. I think the restrictions in 64 bit Win 7 are the ones you need to worry about for a compatible with everything long term purchase. That said, The newer NI PCI cards do have drivers. The same is true of the current production NI cards (all flavors). I'd bet it's true of the current production Prologix. Strictly speaking, the serial to GPIB boxes don't need drivers as much as they need software adapted to them. The same is true of the ethernet to GPIB boxes. That software may be a bear to write, but it's still easier than writing a driver that Windows will accept as valid. Bob On Oct 10, 2011, at 10:47 AM, paul swed wrote: Though I think this thread may be wrapping up. I have run into many of the same issues. The old isa cards are cheap at hamfests $5 most folks have no clue any longer as to what they are. I have never actually seen a pci card at a swap. So at the moment I have both an isa card and NI network box in a mother board running Win 98. All of it kind of nuts and messy. Also picked up a circa 2002 NI lab. To be honest until now I really did not have a real use for it. ?? I don't suppose timelab would run on win 98?? Anyhow many of these things have no drivers or support for more modern OS's. I do fortunately have numbers of rs232 to gpib boxes and actually want to try that on the 5370 with time lab. So as far as getting the prologix I suspect thats a wise approach actually. If your goal is to simply Get it done. Regards Paul. On Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM, Azelio Boriani azelio.bori...@screen.itwrote: Yes, I recommend switching to a networked GPIB interface. I have long waited to acquire a used E5810A and at last I succeeded. Of course it was not so cheap (380$) but very versatile to use. At work I use an Agilent 82357B, highly recommended. Frequently pops up on eBay, not cheap but you can find the IOAgilentSuite (free) library (to write in MicrosoftC/BorlandC your code) directly on the Agilent website. On 10/10/11, Paul A. Cianciolo pa...@snet.net wrote: Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Lucent RFTG-m-XO GPSDO
Have you got any pointers? The only document I could find was a repair guide prepared by PE1FBO - and whiile it's certainly useful (especially for the specific purpose of getting my unit running), it's not the original Efratom info. Maybe it's my history in the avionics business, but I really like to use official docs if possible :) Regards, Pete On Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 1:01 PM, randy hunt randy_hunt...@yahoo.com wrote: There are scans of the L-Pro service manual out there. Google should help here. Randy From: Peter Bell bell.pe...@gmail.com To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Sun, October 9, 2011 9:13:14 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Lucent RFTG-m-XO GPSDO On Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 2:41 AM, k4...@aol.com k4...@aol.com wrote: Hi Peter, yes it sounds like the UT+ is defective if it never gets any sats. You can probably find one on eBay. Someone probably fired RF into the receiver front-end and zapped it. I think the antenna you are using should be OK. I will look for my drawings on this unit and send copies to you. And I know I have the software too, just need to find it! I have read in some of the notes here on time-nuts that people may be able to use RS232 for communicating with the RFTG units. But it was designed for RS422 and I would suggest you use RS422 for best results. I use a little RS422-4S232 converter which has worked fine for me. The early units had FRS rubidiums in them. The LPRO was used in the newer units. So, you have the more recent design. Any documentation you can provide would be very helpful - I'm pretty much sure, based on the comments made by yourself and the other people on the list, that my GPS Rx is broken - I just found my other oncore (a VP) and that works correctly in the same test setup that the UT+ out of the RFTG failed to track in. I also tried the little Motorola antenna on both boards, with the same results. I tried plugging the VP into the Lucent box, but it doesn't seem to like it (the fault light just stays on), so I have ordered a replacment UT+ board. I assume the units that had a FRS in them had different PCBs? The LPRO is plugged directly into the baseboard on my RB unit (KS-24019 L105B, if that means anything) and it seems to be pretty clearly designed around it. The XO (KS-24019 L106C) has the same PCB in it, except that there is an extra section of PCB with an Efratom OCXO mounted on it where the LPRO is in the RB unit. It's sort of a pity it's not an FRS - I've fixed some of those in the past, and they were pretty straightforward things to work on - all standard parts and it had the schematic in the manual - all the LPRO manual says is not user-servicable; send it back to us - but that lamp heater circuit looks fairly simple anyway, so I guess I can have a go at that while I'm waiting for the GPS board to arrive. And thank you to everyone that offered suggestions. Regards, Pete ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Talking of 82357B USB-GPIB adapter - does anyone have any experience of the Chinese clones, for example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180734845086 Thanks Dave -Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Azelio Boriani Sent: 10 October 2011 15:03 To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card Yes, I recommend switching to a networked GPIB interface. I have long waited to acquire a used E5810A and at last I succeeded. Of course it was not so cheap (380$) but very versatile to use. At work I use an Agilent 82357B, highly recommended. Frequently pops up on eBay, not cheap but you can find the IOAgilentSuite (free) library (to write in MicrosoftC/BorlandC your code) directly on the Agilent website. On 10/10/11, Paul A. Cianciolo pa...@snet.net wrote: Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
If those are really clones maybe they are useful. I'm planning to buy a real 82357B in the future and actually I'm following every interface that the eBay saved search flags. One day or the other maybe my turn. Eight months I waited to acquire an E5810A for 380$ instead of 750$. I love the command line way and actually I can write various data acquisition routines virtually on-the-fly (kinda live-coding) to get data from (for example) the Fluke PM6681, from the M12M by the serial port, and have the time interval corrected by the negative sawtooth. I used a LeCroy 9362 and a 53132A too to gather time differences in the past. It is very easy with the old Borland C 5 and the static linking library provided free by Agilent to write down simple code to acquire from varius sources (GPIB, serial port and others). On 10/10/11, David C. Partridge david.partri...@perdrix.co.uk wrote: Talking of 82357B USB-GPIB adapter - does anyone have any experience of the Chinese clones, for example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180734845086 Thanks Dave -Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Azelio Boriani Sent: 10 October 2011 15:03 To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card Yes, I recommend switching to a networked GPIB interface. I have long waited to acquire a used E5810A and at last I succeeded. Of course it was not so cheap (380$) but very versatile to use. At work I use an Agilent 82357B, highly recommended. Frequently pops up on eBay, not cheap but you can find the IOAgilentSuite (free) library (to write in MicrosoftC/BorlandC your code) directly on the Agilent website. On 10/10/11, Paul A. Cianciolo pa...@snet.net wrote: Folks, Thank you for all the suggestions on the GPIB interface. I have decided to go with the Prologix USB/GPIB interface, for all the reasons mentioned. I have 3 types of card busses here, but all the computers have usb. Many of the folks here already have Prologix interfaces. Later I can sell this device or keep it and move up to a networked Gpib interface, for remote access with my wireless laptop. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions There is always help to had here and I appreciate being able to ask questions Thank you again, Paul A. Cianciolo W1VLF http://www.rescueelectronics.com/ Time is relative Abert Einstien circa 1950 Relatives use up all my time Lisa Cianciolo circa 1983 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Would it be possible to fake an interface with a parallel port and bit banging? That is certainly possibly, since it is precisely what I use. It's an old printer cable where I adjusted the wiring to the GPIB connector. For the rest it's all done with parport bitbanging under linux using /dev/port. I vaguely recall that I had all the GPIB connectors except for 1, which was no problem for my needs. Possibly an Arduino? Were I to DIY it again now, I would indeed look into using an arduino + ethernet shield for the task. Or maybe just buy it on ebay if it's cheap enough. Or maybe a DIY pcb with an ENC424J600 + fpga/microcontroller, so it all fits nicely into the connector. Then again, something like this should be commodity enough not to have to waste too much DIY time on it. regards, Fred Chuck Forsberg wrote: ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
Take care that you need the correct line drivers. Before the 82357B, the E5810A I used an Atmel AT89C55 to develop a GPIB-serial adapter but only one GPIB device I was able to drive... On 10/10/11, Tijd Dingen tijddin...@yahoo.com wrote: Would it be possible to fake an interface with a parallel port and bit banging? That is certainly possibly, since it is precisely what I use. It's an old printer cable where I adjusted the wiring to the GPIB connector. For the rest it's all done with parport bitbanging under linux using /dev/port. I vaguely recall that I had all the GPIB connectors except for 1, which was no problem for my needs. Possibly an Arduino? Were I to DIY it again now, I would indeed look into using an arduino + ethernet shield for the task. Or maybe just buy it on ebay if it's cheap enough. Or maybe a DIY pcb with an ENC424J600 + fpga/microcontroller, so it all fits nicely into the connector. Then again, something like this should be commodity enough not to have to waste too much DIY time on it. regards, Fred Chuck Forsberg wrote: ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
64 bit Windows 7 is the most restrictive OS I have seen so far in terms of drivers. 32 bit is a bit more forgiving. I would *guess* that 32 bit Windows will be a bit of a dinosaur three to five years from now. Just as you are still running Win 98, that does not mean other versions will be dead and gone. Only that a pretty cheap PC down at the big box store of your choice likely will not have a 32 bit OS on it. I think the restrictions in 64 bit Win 7 are the ones you need to worry about for a compatible with everything long term purchase. 64-bit Windows does require signed drivers, which was not the case with the 32-bit OSes. It works fine with both Prologix and NI hardware, but some of the lesser-known NI clones may not have 64-bit drivers. That said, The newer NI PCI cards do have drivers. The same is true of the current production NI cards (all flavors). I'd bet it's true of the current production Prologix. Strictly speaking, the serial to GPIB boxes don't need drivers as much as they need software adapted to them. The same is true of the ethernet to GPIB boxes. That software may be a bear to write, but it's still easier than writing a driver that Windows will accept as valid. One nice thing about Windows 7 is that you don't have to install any drivers at all for the Prologix hardware. The FTDI chip in the USB adapters is recognized right out of the box, and the Ethernet version doesn't need specific drivers to begin with. So at the moment I have both an isa card and NI network box in a mother board running Win 98. All of it kind of nuts and messy. Also picked up a circa 2002 NI lab. To be honest until now I really did not have a real use for it. ?? I don't suppose timelab would run on win 98?? Unfortunately, no, it requires at least Windows 2000 (and I don't develop or test under anything earlier than XP.) The newest build at www.miles.io/timelab/readme.htm does have a native 64-bit Windows version, though. :) -- john ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] [volt-nuts] Safe power-up. was (Solartron 7075 ...)
I don't plug ANYTHING new to me, directly into the line the first time I try it. (especially if it had a blown fuse) Here is the solution that I use for a universal, general purpose, tester for Old (and new) equipment. This is a great tool that can be used for trouble things that draw too much current, has shorts, for reforming caps, Testing line voltage sensitivity etc, etc. First time powered up test equipment is powered from: 1) A line voltage rate light bulb in series, starting with a low wattage and working your way up. The light bulb acts Nonlinear variable dropping resistor, which act like a current limit and will limit the max current to a safe value but still have minimum effect at lower currents due to it's Hi TC. 2) The voltage to the Light bulb comes which from adjustable variact. The voltage rise and the Time at each voltage setting is a learned function and depends on what is being tested. If you're in a hurry, set it to the nominal line output and flip the switch. The rest of the stuff will still provide protection. 3) The Variact is plugged into a KillAwatt meter Used to constantly monitor the power, If it shows too much power is being used, ... Well don't let it do that.. 4) The Kill-a-W is plugged into a solatron 1 to 1 line regulating transformer. My Line regulating Solitron has the very desirable built in characteristic that it goes into a saturation mode that limits the max output power if overloaded If not overloaded, it outputs a constant voltage. 5) Have a few resetable and/or standard fuses in there to be over safe. The proper use of the variact's output voltage has a learning curve, because equipment with switchers behave differently than things with linearly supplies ws * Hi, I picked up a dead 7075 recently, I found that the fuseholder was not making contact with the fuse, fixed that fault and now the PSU area was making a fizzing noise. I disconnected the mains straight away. I presume I need to reform the main capacitor with a dropper resistor. Is 33k a suitable value, or should it be done at a lower current than that? Regards, M K ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] [volt-nuts] Safe power-up. was (Solartron 7075 ...)
In message 4EF131EAEF2E45BA8C7658C73574525B@Warcon28Gz, WarrenS writes: I don't plug ANYTHING new to me, directly into the line the first time I try it. (especially if it had a blown fuse) Here is the solution that I use for a universal, general purpose, tester for Old (and new) equipment. That procedure is fine for linear power-supplies, but not resonably modern switch-modes. In particular, anything that has PFC correction is not going to respond too well to variable voltage like that. -- Poul-Henning Kamp | UNIX since Zilog Zeus 3.20 p...@freebsd.org | TCP/IP since RFC 956 FreeBSD committer | BSD since 4.3-tahoe Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by incompetence. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] [volt-nuts] Safe power-up. was (Solartron 7075 ...)
Power factor correction power supplies has not been a BIG problem with my OLD recycled equipment. I tried to Cover that case in my end note, With switchers, turn the variact to normal and use the other safety features and a big enough light bulb to keep from blowing it all up if something is wrong. ws * Poul-Henning Kamp phk at phk.freebsd.dk In message WarrenS writes: I don't plug ANYTHING new to me, directly into the line the first time I try it. (especially if it had a blown fuse) Here is the solution that I use for a universal, general purpose, tester for Old (and new) equipment. That procedure is fine for linear power-supplies, but not resonably modern switch-modes. In particular, anything that has PFC correction is not going to respond too well to variable voltage like that. -- Poul-Henning Kamp | UNIX since Zilog Zeus 3.20 *** I don't plug ANYTHING new to me, directly into the line the first time I try it. (especially if it had a blown fuse) Here is the solution that I use for a universal, general purpose, tester for Old (and new) equipment. This is a great tool that can be used for trouble things that draw too much current, has shorts, for reforming caps, Testing line voltage sensitivity etc, etc. First time powered up test equipment is powered from: 1) A line voltage rate light bulb in series, starting with a low wattage and working your way up. The light bulb acts Nonlinear variable dropping resistor, which act like a current limit and will limit the max current to a safe value but still have minimum effect at lower currents due to it's Hi TC. 2) The voltage to the Light bulb comes which from adjustable variact. The voltage rise and the Time at each voltage setting is a learned function and depends on what is being tested. If you're in a hurry, set it to the nominal line output and flip the switch. The rest of the stuff will still provide protection. 3) The Variact is plugged into a KillAwatt meter Used to constantly monitor the power, If it shows too much power is being used, ... Well don't let it do that.. 4) The Kill-a-W is plugged into a solatron 1 to 1 line regulating transformer. My Line regulating Solitron has the very desirable built in characteristic that it goes into a saturation mode that limits the max output power if overloaded If not overloaded, it outputs a constant voltage. 5) Have a few resetable and/or standard fuses in there to be over safe. The proper use of the variact's output voltage has a learning curve, because equipment with switchers behave differently than things with linearly supplies ws * ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
The PCI and USB HPib interfaces I've seen are terribly expensive. I'd call the Prologix board expensive rather than terribly expensive. The answer to this discussion may depend upon what you want to do and/or how you want to do it. I'm happy to do some low level hacking. I'm not interested in running propriety code. For me, the Prologix board is a reasonable deal. (I got mine $25 ago, before they put a box around it.) I'll probably get another one of these days. -- These are my opinions, not necessarily my employer's. I hate spam. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Time. Special Issue in New Scientist
The October 8th 2011 issue in New Scientist has a 16 page section on time. The material is of general interest to time-nuts. Regards Geoffrey Smith ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
[] 64-bit Windows does require signed drivers, which was not the case with the 32-bit OSes. It works fine with both Prologix and NI hardware, but some of the lesser-known NI clones may not have 64-bit drivers. [] -- john Actually, there is a test mode, where unsigned 64-bit drivers are accepted. I have 64-bit NTP serial drivers working this way. You can also run the XP emulation where, I believe, 32-bit drivers will work (I got a USB WebCam working under XP-mode). Cheers, David -- SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements Web: http://www.satsignal.eu Email: david-tay...@blueyonder.co.uk ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] [volt-nuts] Safe power-up. was (Solartron 7075 ...)
The proper use of the variact's output voltage has a learning curve, because equipment with switchers behave differently than things with linearly supplies ws Warren, It's likely Variac you mean, not variact http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variac#Variable_autotransformers Cheers, David -- SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements Web: http://www.satsignal.eu Email: david-tay...@blueyonder.co.uk ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card
BTW, Win 7 XP Emulation Mode is a free download for Win 7 Pro, not available for Win 7 Home Premium. John -Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of David J Taylor Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 1:09 AM To: 'Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement' Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Could someone please recommend GPIB card [] 64-bit Windows does require signed drivers, which was not the case with the 32-bit OSes. It works fine with both Prologix and NI hardware, but some of the lesser-known NI clones may not have 64-bit drivers. [] -- john Actually, there is a test mode, where unsigned 64-bit drivers are accepted. I have 64-bit NTP serial drivers working this way. You can also run the XP emulation where, I believe, 32-bit drivers will work (I got a USB WebCam working under XP-mode). Cheers, David -- SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements Web: http://www.satsignal.eu Email: david-tay...@blueyonder.co.uk ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
