[volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A

Sun Jul 6 11:21:35 EDT 2014

Can you buy the A/D board... here in USA they will not sell the parts
anymore. If you need a front panel because the display is dim or one of the
keys will not work it cost the same as any other repair.

acben, what was wrong with your A/D? The typical rundown error seems like
it would be real hard to repair and most of the circuit is contained in
proprietary chips. I am impressed. would love to be able to repair the A/D
board. That and the AC board are the highest failed boards I see.

On Sun, Jul 6, 2014 at 4:56 AM, R.Phillips <phill.r1 at btinternet.com> wrote:

> I note with interest your considerations with restoring the 3458A.  I have
> recently had my 3458A restored (April-last) to fine working order, and
> calibrated by the Agilent Service Department here in the UK. It will cost
> what is required after their inspection - this inspection is a 'free'
> service which gives you a full appraisal, and a price for what has to be
> done to restore the instrument to 100% working order followed by
> re-calibration. If the cost is unacceptable, you can request the return
> your instrument back with a report on what would be required. The reality
> is that many owners have tried to make a 'cheaper fix' and finished up with
> an unsatisfactory result, as Agilent are not try to calibrate a faulty
> unit. Over the period of the models production, a number of changes have
> been introduced, I now have the latest type of processor/RAM/ROM board
> which is much improved. Considering the cost of a new instrument, I would
> suggest this is the best solution. I found the staff here in the UK to be
> very helpful and willing to discuss any technical matter.
> Roy Phillips.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: acbern at gmx.de
> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2014 9:45 AM
> To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
> Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A
>
>
> I recently bought a non-working 3458, so faced the same problem. it was a
> relatively old unit, and I asked agilent germany (where I live) for a
> standard repair quote. they answered they would not give a fix price, they
> would evaluate the costs once received. it may have been linked to the age
> of the unit (SN arround 3k). I would therefore think that in other places
> in europe the response may be similar. it may be differnt in the US.
> I determined the A/D board was faulty, and I did a check on that, it would
> have been considerably cheaper to just replace this. so for me, since I am
> also calibrating the unit myself, it would anyway have been a bad deal.
> fortunatelly I could fix the a/d myself, so could save this as well. given
> my buy price and list price for the a/d baord, it would otherwise probably
> have been a no so good deal. so I would say there is really some risk
> involved buying an old gear. also, keep in mind, boards may work but still
> be out of spec. so you may need a new A/D board just to figure out later
> that the ac board is not within specs either.
> key I guess is that the error messages give you a reasonable understanding
> whats wrong. find out the cost of this board, and if thats ok in total it
> may make sense, but you still have quite a risk as the other items may have
> an issue as well. if a unit is completely dead, I would probably not buy.
> as far as i know you cannot buy a new PU board allone, you need to send it
> in to repair (thats what agilent germany states on ther parts list side),
> and then it may be very costly if other stuff it broken too.
>
>
>  Gesendet: Sonntag, 06. Juli 2014 um 07:03 Uhr
>> Von: "Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave Ltd)" <
>> drkirkby at kirkbymicrowave.co.uk>
>> An: "Discussion of precise voltage measurement" <volt-nuts at febo.com>
>> Betreff: Re: [volt-nuts] Buying HP-3458A
>>
>> On 6 Jul 2014 07:12, "John Phillips" <john.phillips0 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > They do really offer that service as long as you send them a complete
>> > meter... No missing parts. Well they will take a few missing screws and
>> > such.
>>
>> There is also the possibility someone has tried repairing it, but done so
>> badly.
>>
>> I assume that there has been some design changes over the years, so not
>> all
>> boards are identical.  Agilent would probably decline to fix a unit made
>> from parts from a mixture of revisions.
>>
>> Buying one and hoping to get it repaired for a fixed fee seems a bit risky
>> to me.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> My experience with them is they charge the same no mater what need to
>> > be fixed. Not sure what the price is, there prices are country >
>> dependent.
>> I
>> > thought it was a little more than $2200 last I checked.
>> >
>> >
>> > On Sat, Jul 5, 2014 at 4:08 PM, Randy Evans <randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > > I am in the market for a used HP-3458A and, in researching past
>> messages, I
>> > > came across an interesting question:
>> > >
>> > > *Chris Erickson* ericksonc2 at comcast.net
>> > > <volt-nuts%
>> > >
>> 40febo.com?Subject=Re%3A%20%5Bvolt-nuts%5D%203458A%
>> 20questions&In-Reply-To=%3C001b01cc7960%24a15d2840%24e41778c0%24%40net%3E
>> > > >
>> > > *Thu Sep 22 19:48:41 UTC 2011*
>> > >
>> > > If Agilent will fix everything, bring it up to specs, and calibrate it
>> no
>> > >
>> > > matter what's wrong with it for $2200, then why would I spend
>> $5000-6000 or
>> > >
>> > > more for one that is in good shape - even if calibrated? Just grab the
>> > > first
>> > >
>> > > bargain that comes along for $1500-3000, send it straight to Agilent
>> and be
>> > >
>> > > money ahead. Seems the better course of action to me if that price is
>> > >
>> > > accurate - do they really offer this service?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I could not find an answer to this question but it does beg the
>> question.
>> > >  Does nayone have an answer as to why not buy the cheapest unit and
>> send it
>> > > in for repair?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Randy Evans
>> > > _______________________________________________
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>> > >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > John Phillips
>> > _______________________________________________
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-- 
John Phillips