I am now Annoyed [Re: Old oscilloscope help: ideas sought]

[woodelf]

der Mouse wrote:
> I wrote about an old oscilloscope which was giving me trouble.  After
> some poking and prodding, I managed to get things tweaked back into
> operation.  Then I was hacking on some software, pursuant to driving
> the 'scope as an X-Y display off a soundcard output, when I became
> aware of the 'scope making small popping noises.
> 
> Small popping noises are not a normal operating sound for that 'scope.
> I used it enough to know _that_.  Then, looking over at it, I saw that
> (at least some of) the tube filaments were dark, and there was nothing
> on the display.
> 
> So I turned it off.  The popping sounds continued, and I saw a wisp of
> smoke.  I unplugged it and turned it over in search of the part that
> was upset.
> 
> Turns out it is the power transformer (not surprising, in view of the
> dark filaments).  It continued making popping noises well over a minute
> after I unplugged it, and for a few seconds I was even mentally making
> sure I knew where the nearest fire extinguisher was, since it gave the
> impression it might actually catch fire.
> 
> It's now been at least ten minutes since I unplugged it, and the
> transformer is still too hot to rest my hand on for longer than about a
> quarter-second.  And, it is giving off odours which I am also quite
> certain are not part of normal operation.
> 
> Tomorrow, I'm going to try turning it on (very briefly, with a
> current-limiter in series with the primary) to see if it's healthy
> enough to give me useful voltage measurements.  The only winding whose
> voltage I am confident of is the one that drives the tube heaters.
> Based solely on wire count I am sure there are at least two others -
> and based on the application I expect at least one for the final anode
> voltage and one for power to most of the circuits.
> 
> Anyone know a good supplier for ten-kg power transformers? :-(

YES!  Well since this has to be a custom design,try here
-- http://www.electra-print.com/

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