Probes?

[Lenp]

Years ago, when electronics was a big hobby/career, many companies sold 'probe kits' These were enclosures, of all types, that you could use to build a custom test probe, signal tracer, injector...whatever. Now it looks like they are in the unobtanium category. Looking in many places nothing was found.
I guess they went the way of Heathkit, Eico sand Knight Kit...
Any ideas out there for suppliers, or solutions?

[Janitor Tzap]

Hmmmm................

There are a few that are still around.

But electronic's have changed.
I've found that DIY Kits for building your own test equipment, costs more than purchasing the test equipment outright now.
So, unless your wanting too understand how the circuit works in the test equipment.
It's just cheaper to just buy the piece of test equipment.

Though,
I'm continuing to see circuits that are made so cheaply, that it isn't worth the trouble to repair.
Or are made too not be easily worked on.

I just had to throw out a Microwave Oven, that the Magnetron had failed on it.
A replacement Magnetron for it was $123.00 plus shipping.
Which is more than what a new Microwave Oven costs.
{Shake's head}
Edit:
I was at Menards getting the dog her Dentix's.
Across the aisle in the small appliances they had brand new 1200Watt Microwave ovens for $50!


SIgned: Janitor Tzap

[Lenp]

My policy is.. I don't buy anything I'm not comfortable throwing away after the warranty!

'Many years ago there were only a few magnetron designs and, if they fit, they worked. Maybe still so today?
Since the 'electronics' is the usual failure item, there are probably tons of serviceable magnetrons sitting in scrap yards!
Maybe you can get friendly with a junk yard operator (tell him you want the magnets!) ....but watch out for his dog

[Janitor Tzap]

Many years ago there were only a few magnetron designs and, if they fit, they worked. Maybe still so today?
Since the 'electronics' is the usual failure item, there are probably tons of serviceable magnetrons sitting in scrap yards!
Maybe you can get friendly with a junk yard operator (tell him you want the magnets!) ....but watch out for his dog

Well,
The basic design has stayed pretty much the same.
The ionizing tube has changed very little.
But I am seeing much stronger magnets being used.
Thus, the physical size has shrunk, while the power of the magnetrons has increased greatly.
Most magnetron failures are due too the insulation failing, causing shorts to the chassis ground.
That, or the filament on the ionizing tube opens up.
Nah, too much work to fix a magnetron.

As for the local "Junk Yard Dog".....
She's a big softy.
I have to play with her a bit, before I can go out to "Pull A Part" from the bone yard.


Signed: Janitor Tzap

[haklesup]

Do you mean like the pencil style enclosure, The exact enclosure style you are picturing in your head may indeed be unobtainable but if you broaden your search to the larger offshore enclosure manufacturers, you might find something useful.

The "Style-case" line from OKW seems like it could be used to hold a logic probe style instrument though a little fatter than the Pen style enclosure. Check out the home page for a muih wider selection
https://www.okwenclosures.com/en/Plasti ... e-Case.htm

haven't found a US link yet but is this what you are looking for? (found with image search on "logic probe enclosure")
http://www.ronex.ee/index.php?group_id= ... ct_details
https://www.rapidonline.com/teko-lp1-pr ... mm-31-0335

I haven't looked at alibaba yet but that's a good place to look too

[Lenp]

Yes, The Teko probe would probably work out but not at $40++ for a few pennies worth of plastic!
Mabe I'll just DIY it from scratch with some tubing and a pile of lathe curls.

[Janitor Tzap]

Okay.......
I just remembered this place.
American Science & Surplus https://www.sciplus.com/
They have all sorts of stuff that some may find useful, or just useless!
But, check it out.
They have all kinds of electronic kits and parts.
Lot's of science learning stuff.

EDIT:
How about using one of those Giant Pen's that show up at the Dollar Stores, or Thrift stores?

You could remove the innards of the pen, and put the electronics in it.
Example:
I took a AAA Pen Light, and made it into a IR Detector.

[haklesup]

Great opportunity for 3D printed case. Bigger learning curve and probably still more than $40 though