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

[Jules Richardson]

der Mouse wrote:
> 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.

*Sigh*

ISTR the power supply for our Marconi's paper tape reader doing exactly that; 
the Selenium rectifier downstream of the transformer decided to develop a dead 
short, resulting in a rather cooked transformer. Luckily, with the machine 
being ex nuclear-plant, we could lay our hands on a spare.

I assume the popping noises are the sounds of the transformer windings 
distorting with the heat. I expect you've now got a very dead transformer on 
your hands :-(

Maybe somewhere like the CHM would be worth contacting to see if they've got 
an identical 'scope from which someone can take voltage / current readings and 
allow you to build a replacement supply for yours. (Unfortunately all of our 
ancient 'scopes are either Tek or Cossor, so I can't do anything - I will 
check just to be certain of that, though)

cheers

Jules