Hi One of the nice things about the broad reach of this list is that a pretty good “database” of device performance can be compiled. In addition there *is* the fact that even Rb’s can be repaired. The “toss it when it breaks” approach is not a favorite with most list members.
I have seen no reason to believe that powering an Rb down and running it for < 5% duty cycle in any way is a bad thing. I have rebuilt a few dozen Rb’s and they seem to work pretty well in a “mostly off” usage pattern. Indeed I have never run into a Rb supplier that suggests constant on. That includes back when I worked for EG&G. It also includes re-selling several different Rb’s over the years. Sitting in the basement there are three Rb’s from the 1970’s and 80’s still chugging along fine. They have been repaired a few times, but they still are performing much better than their original specifications …. Bob > On Nov 2, 2020, at 4:58 PM, The Fiber Guru via time-nuts > <[email protected]> wrote: > > I have noticed a number of Rb oscillators for sale on eBay over the years, > but be aware of the limited lifetime of the oscillator. In our experience, > the life is the same whether constantly in use or just sitting on a shelf. > That said, life cycles vary greatly.... > > My advice to uses who have had a clock powered for years and want to move > it.....do NOT power it down, use portable power (batteries) to keep it > powered during the move (which takes great care). Many old (8-12 years) Rb > oscillators that have been powered will just not survive power down, getting > cold then power back up. It can happen, but we sell a lot of replacement Rb > oscillators to replace those ranging from 8-15 years. However, a good ocxo > will last magnitudes longer than Rb. > > We have not noticed a significant difference in lifetime among the Rb > manufacturers. Sometimes they are equally bad! > > :) > > The Fiber Guru > www.fiber.guru > > >> On Nov 2, 2020, at 3:50 PM, Dave B via time-nuts <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/ramco/catalogue-id-ramco-10255/lot-e55bd54e-6a87-44c7-8286-ac610134f040 >> >> Listed as a Crystal oscillator, but has a telltale mention of "Rb lamp >> voltage signal" ! >> >> It's an Efratom Model M100 Listed for £5.00 UKP ! (Located in the UK.) >> >> (There are also some MI/IFR 2025 signal generators listed, and other RF >> stuff.) >> >> No affiliation. >> >> Dave G8KBV. >> >> >> >> -- >> Created on and sent from a Unix like PC running and using free and open >> source software: >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
