[time-nuts] HP-53132A Faded and flickering display

John Lofgren jlofgren at lsr.com
Fri Nov 2 16:37:32 UTC 2012


Edgardo,

Two possibilities: Cathode poisoning or bad tantalum caps.  I'm not sure if "cathode poisoning" is really the correct term for this effect, but it's similar.  There have been a number of tutorials out there about rejuvenating VF displays.

The one I have direct experience with is bad caps.  We bought an HP 6612C power supply with a bad display for an automated test setup.  It's basically the same VF display used in a lot of the instruments from that family.

We didn't really need the display because it was for an automated setup, but I wanted to fix it anyway.  When I removed the display board I found that it had 3 or 4 large tantalum caps on one edge.  One of the caps was toasted a crispy brown color instead of the usual yellow.  After replacing that cap the display came right back to life and has been working fine for a couple of years, now.

BTW: those display and button boards are a bit of a trick to remove.  They're slide in from the side under some "L" shaped plastic features in the case front.  There are instructions in the service manual for dealing with them.

-John


-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On Behalf Of Edgardo Molina
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 11:24 AM
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: [time-nuts] HP-53132A Faded and flickering display

Dear Group,

Good morning! I just got my first HP-53132A frequency counter and Prologix GPIB-USB converter. Now I can do some measurements and I am excited about it.  Everything looks promising. Condition of the instrument on the outside is like new, controls responsive and no fading in lettering at the buttons. Connectors are not worn or damaged, original connectors. The unit has been tested and works OK, probably not with adequate calibration but that is not an issue now, I can always calibrate it later.

What worries me is the display. Even though being an Agilent built unit, it has probably more hours on it than a seldom used HP built unit. The flourescent display is fading, not all the digits show consistent illumination levels. The left-most digits show some flickering at some of their segments. It is readable in the end, but I am terribly disappointed about it. 

Does anybody know if there is a cure for this? Or should I start saving for a better unit.

I am not afraid of the screwdriver or the soldering iron if someones suggests a display overhaul. Thank you!


Regards,



Edgardo Molina
Dirección IPTEL

www.iptel.net.mx

T : 55 55 55202444
M : 04455 20501854

Piensa en Bits SA de CV



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