Spares for a TEKTRONIX 465 oscilloscope

[MBfreak]

Hi.
I am the happy owner and user of a TEKTRONIX 465 oscilloscope. It even has the DVM/time measurement box on top. I use it a lot and it is, for its age, truly wonderful.
The power supply in it has acted up a few times and I have had to replace some of the electrolytic capacitors. Being a TEKTRONIX, it uses custom made capacitors and their physical size and hole pattern does not match what is available from any of the big suppliers nowadays.
I have used standard capacitors and "fixed" the installation, but would like to use original caps.
I did try to find modern capacitors of similar ratings that would fit inside the Tektronix aluminum cans, but no luck.

Can anybody please provide me with an adress to a company that sells TEKTRONIX spares?
The Swedish dealer has been somewhat less than helpful.

Thank you very much.

Ola

 

[MBfreak]

Pictures added.


Ola

 

[Falcon67]

I think you will have to contact Tek directly and if they won't help, you are out of luck. When I was in the QA business, we sent any Tek scopes needing repairs directly to Tek in Beaverton. If it was an obsolete unit and just needed in the lab, one of the EEs would hack a fix. Otherwise, we scrapped the unit and bought another. I never knew of anyone that would mess with their stuff. I have audited their facility up there and been in the calibration lab. It's a pretty cool place to visit. I think the scope under my bench is 465 - have to power that thing up before the caps go bad.

 

[nehog]

On Yahoo groups is a Tek group, and would be a great starting point for you... (Note: I said Yahoo groups!!!)

 

[BFBOB]

Would a Tektronix mobile scope rack be of any use to you? I have one that dates back to the 60's. It's currently doing nothing but keeping a few boxes of junk off the floor. I'd part with it cheap for someone who would restore it to its rightful function.

 

[cide1]

I also have a tek 465. I wouldn't bother trying to find original tek parts, we are talking 40 years old or more, so the chance is pretty small. Modern equivalents should be available for about anything you need. Make sure your checking Digikey, Avnet, and Newark. Since everything is through hole, package size isn't critical.
.

 

[PrecisionTools]

You will probably have more luck on electronic based forums. There are guys who collect these old gems and they know where to get the bits.

Even though http://www.eevblog.com/forum/ is run by an Aussie, I have never been on a forum with a more diverse readership (nationality wise)...post a question - someone should be able to help.

 

[Alchymist]

I have drawers full of replacement Tek and HP parts for instruments for that era, but I think the shipping overseas would be a deal killer.

PS: Part numbers are everything for Tek and HP. They had their own proprietary parts.

 

[MBfreak]

Hi Guys ,
thanks for all help.
ALCHYMIST
I have friends in the US that you can send the parts to, they travel frequently to Sweden. And , I will pay in advance.
Here are the complete designations:
TEK 465 oscilloscope
Schematic ref Capacitance Voltage TEK part number
c1512 550 microF 80V 290-0670-00
C1513 1200 microF 100V 290-0638-00
C1542 5500 microF 30V 290-0584-00
C1552 5000 microF 25 V 290-0571-00
C1562 3000 microF 35 V 290-0583-00

As to the various fixes, thanks guys.
I am a past master of that but in old age I have decided recant and rectify a few of my coat-hanger style bodges. ( They are too numerous to list, even by group)

Best regards

Ola

 

[Alchymist]

s:
TEK 465 oscilloscope
Schematic ref Capacitance Voltage TEK part number
c1512 550 microF 80V 290-0670-00
C1513 1200 microF 100V 290-0638-00
C1542 5500 microF 30V 290-0584-00
C1552 5000 microF 25 V 290-0571-00
C1562 3000 microF 35 V 290-0583-00

Will check to see if I have any of those and let you know.

 

[Alchymist]

I have exactly one of the caps on your list - 290-0670-00- PM me a mailing address and I'll get it out...

 

[MBfreak]

Alchymist.

Thanks for your offer .
Have emailed you an adress to a friend in California.

Happy as a clam, thanks a lot!!!

Ola

 

[Alchymist]

Parts on their way this am, Priority mail. Found 1 more cap that was close to one of your needs, if it doesn't fit anything, use it in your next project. Good luck.
Clay

 

[MBfreak]

ALCHYMIST.

A very big thanks. Please let me know haow I can pay back your very generous help!

Ola

 

[Alchymist]

No payback necessary - happy to be able to help out a fellow tech.

 

[bob808]

Hello.
You can replace any electrolytic with a new one same value and voltage spec but you have to take care about mounting and securing them in place. New electrolytic capacitors are smaller than the ones used in that era so space is not a problem. The only real issues are with the very rare parts like tunnel diodes and some custom ICs that you really need to find as a direct Tektronix replacement. The other are just classic passives and some common transistors. Especially 465 has only about 2-3 custom IC, and 4 tunnel diodes as I recall.
Be sure to get the service manual for your series. There are actually two manuals, one for up to 250000 series, and another one for the ones older than that.
For the large electrolytic capacitors you have to make sure that there aren't any traces that are disconnected after you get the originals out, but you can just remake the circuit with wires (for some ground points). Also you could gut the original capacitors and stuff inside a few new ones in parallel if you wish to keep the original appearance and mounting format but you have to take care to proper isolate all the leads inside and use low esr capacitors.
Usually do not worry about original parts, the only ones your really need original are a few.

 

[Alchymist]

Hello.
You can replace any electrolytic with a new one same value and voltage spec but you have to take care about mounting and securing them in place. New electrolytic capacitors are smaller than the ones used in that era so space is not a problem. The only real issues are with the very rare parts like tunnel diodes and some custom ICs that you really need to find as a direct Tektronix replacement. The other are just classic passives and some common transistors. Especially 465 has only about 2-3 custom IC, and 4 tunnel diodes as I recall.
Be sure to get the service manual for your series. There are actually two manuals, one for up to 250000 series, and another one for the ones older than that.
For the large electrolytic capacitors you have to make sure that there aren't any traces that are disconnected after you get the originals out, but you can just remake the circuit with wires (for some ground points). Also you could gut the original capacitors and stuff inside a few new ones in parallel if you wish to keep the original appearance and mounting format but you have to take care to proper isolate all the leads inside and use low esr capacitors.
Usually do not worry about original parts, the only ones your really need original are a few.

You do realize you are replying to a thread that's a year and a half old?


As to replacement parts, electronics are just like cars - they work best with OEM parts. Yes, you can substitute, and in most cases it works, but there is always that one time it will bite you. Case in point, I once designed a pulse generator type TTL circuit which worked fine with Texas Instrument 7400 series chips. Duplicated it later with an off brand set of SN7492 chips, and it wouldn't work. Seems the QC on the off brand was a little loose, and the chips didn't meet spec. When replaced with TI, worked fine. Bottom line, if you can find OEM parts, use them!