Heathkit IO 4550: Difference between revisions

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|Batteries = None
|Batteries = None
|Destructive Entry = No
|Destructive Entry = No
}}
|Input Voltage=Mains voltage - region specific (non-universal)}}
The Heathkit IO 4550 is a dual trace 10 MHz oscilloscope sold as a kit for the end user to assemble themselves.
The Heathkit IO 4550 is a dual trace 10 MHz oscilloscope sold as a kit for the end user to assemble themselves.
== Known Issues ==
== Known Issues ==
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</gallery>
</gallery>
==== Solution ====
==== Solution ====
*Replace all faulty tantalum capacitors on the +/-15 V rails and repair any damage
*Replace all faulty (and not yet faulty) tantalum capacitors on the ±15 V rails and repair any other damage. eg. burnt PCB traces or shut regulator power resistors.
== Disassembly Notes ==
== Disassembly Notes ==
{{WarnAlt|danger|med|This device contains a high voltage electrostatically deflected [[CRT Repairs|CRT]] with fully exposed high voltage PCBs.}}
{{WarnAlt|danger|med|This device contains a high voltage electrostatically deflected [[CRT Repairs|CRT]] with fully exposed high voltage PCBs.}}
{{WarnAlt|warning|med|This device contains a fully exposed open frame [[Mains Power|mains voltage]] power supply.}}
{{WarnAlt|warning|med|This device contains a fully exposed open frame [[Mains Power|mains voltage]] power supply.}}
*It is recommended you power the +/- 15 V rails with an external bench power supply prior to plugging the device into mains to be able to limit the current draw to prevent damage to shunt regulators from shorted tantalum capacitors.
*It is recommended you power the +/- 15 V rails with an external bench power supply prior to plugging the device into mains to be able to limit the current draw to prevent damage to shunt regulators from shorted tantalum capacitors.
* The PCB does not need to be removed from the chassis to replace capacitors, it is difficult to desolder/solder some capacitors with the board still in the chassis however in order to remove the PCB a number of flying leads and the front panel knobs will probably have to be removed.
*The PCB does not need to be removed from the chassis to replace capacitors, while it is difficult to desolder/solder some capacitors with the board still in the chassis, in order to remove the PCB a number of flying leads and the front panel knobs have to be removed which is difficult and time consuming.
== Original Parts ==
== Original Parts ==
=== Vertical Circuit Board ===
=== Vertical Circuit Board ===
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''85-1989-2''
''85-1989-2''


While Healthkit devices come with an assembly manual and components list unfortunately digitized versions on the internet are missing page 27 which contains information about those faulty tantalum capacitors. My unit also included orange tantalum capacitors on other PCBs in the unit however those tested good. The failure of this unit was while it was in the hands of the previous owner, it failed slowly overheating and damaging resistors that form part of a shunt regulator until it failed catastrophically, the previous owner had unsuccessfully attempted a repair by only replacing the one tantalum capacitor that had exploded.
While Healthkit devices come with an assembly manual and components list unfortunately digitized versions on the internet are missing page 27 which contains information about those faulty tantalum capacitors. This unit also included orange tantalum capacitors on other PCBs in the unit however those tested good. The failure of this unit was while it was in the hands of the previous owner, it failed slowly overheating and damaging resistors that form part of a shunt regulator until it failed catastrophically, the previous owner had unsuccessfully attempted a repair by only replacing the one tantalum capacitor that had burnt the PCB before exploding.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Capacitor [[Capacitor Specifications|Specifications]] and [[Part Footprints|Footprint]] Information
|+Capacitor [[Capacitor Specifications|Specifications]] and [[Part Footprints|Footprint]] Information
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[[Category:1970s]]
[[Category:1970s]]
[[Category:Oscilloscope]]
[[Category:Oscilloscope]]
[[Category:Test Gear]]
[[Category:CRT]]

Latest revision as of 08:22, 28 July 2024

Heathkit IO 4550
Preliminary Information
Release Year 1978
Leak Risk Unknown
Batteries None
Mounting Technology Through Hole, DIP Sockets, Flying Lead
Capacitor Types Electrolytic, Tantalum, Paper, Ceramic, Polymer, Mylar, Mica
Destructive Entry No
Power Requirements
Input Voltage Mains voltage - region specific (non-universal)
CRT Guides
General Information · Repair Cautions

The Heathkit IO 4550 is a dual trace 10 MHz oscilloscope sold as a kit for the end user to assemble themselves.

Known Issues

Unit emits smoke and/or a loud bang when powered on

Cause

  • Several tantalum capacitors on the power rails fail short circuit

Solution

  • Replace all faulty (and not yet faulty) tantalum capacitors on the ±15 V rails and repair any other damage. eg. burnt PCB traces or shut regulator power resistors.

Disassembly Notes

danger DANGER This device contains a high voltage electrostatically deflected CRT with fully exposed high voltage PCBs.
warning WARNING This device contains a fully exposed open frame mains voltage power supply.
  • It is recommended you power the +/- 15 V rails with an external bench power supply prior to plugging the device into mains to be able to limit the current draw to prevent damage to shunt regulators from shorted tantalum capacitors.
  • The PCB does not need to be removed from the chassis to replace capacitors, while it is difficult to desolder/solder some capacitors with the board still in the chassis, in order to remove the PCB a number of flying leads and the front panel knobs have to be removed which is difficult and time consuming.

Original Parts

Vertical Circuit Board

Failed through hole tantalum capacitors

85-1989-2

While Healthkit devices come with an assembly manual and components list unfortunately digitized versions on the internet are missing page 27 which contains information about those faulty tantalum capacitors. This unit also included orange tantalum capacitors on other PCBs in the unit however those tested good. The failure of this unit was while it was in the hands of the previous owner, it failed slowly overheating and damaging resistors that form part of a shunt regulator until it failed catastrophically, the previous owner had unsuccessfully attempted a repair by only replacing the one tantalum capacitor that had burnt the PCB before exploding.

Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information
RefDes Qty Capacitance Voltage Mount Type Brand
C114-1, C114-2, C115-1, C115-2, C116-1, C116-2, C123-1, C123-1, C124-1, C124-2 10 10 μF 20 V Through Hole Tantalum KEMET
7 1000 μF 35 V Through Hole Aluminum Electrolytic Rubycon

Horizontal Circuit Board

Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information
RefDes Qty Capacitance Voltage Mount Diameter/Size Height Lead Spacing Temp Type Brand Series
100 µF 100 V Through Hole Axial 0 °C

Replacement Parts

Vertical Circuit Board

Heathkit IO 4550 before and after capacitor replacement, failed tantalums circled in red.

85-1989-2

Note that those capacitors are not in critical analog parts of the oscilloscope circuit but are used for power rail bulk capacitance. As a result you can pretty much substitute any modern 10 μF 20 V capacitor, I used wet electrolytics that were laying around as the unit is unlikely to be used much, however below are some equivalent tantalum capacitors that should be considered if doing a proper restoration.

Capacitors
RefDes Qty Compatible Part Number Order Links
C114-1, C114-2, C115-1, C115-2, C116-1, C116-2, C123-1, C123-1, C124-1, C124-2 10 T356E106K020AT / TAP106M035SCS / TAP106K035SCS DigiKey Mouser LCSC
7 35PX1000MEFC10X20 / UVR1V102MHD1TO / EKY-350ETD102MK25S DigiKey Mouser LCSC

Horizontal Circuit Board

Capacitors
RefDes Qty Compatible Part Number Order Links
1 107TMA100M DigiKey Mouser

If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the Original Parts section to perform a parametric search.

References