Today, a package arrived, containing, a defective 6205C dual power supply. This model is capable of 0-20 V, at 0.6 Amps, or 0-40 V, at 0.3 Amps.

The ranges, as well as the meter indications (V or A, x1 or x10 scale) are selectable by two groups of pushbutton switches, and someone figured out earlier that the switches for the V2 output are defective….

… well, not quite. The switches work, but they don’t stay pushed in. A mechanical failure?

Fortunately, it is quite clear what had happened. Someone dropped the instrument, and the front panel was hit – bending it inwards, reducing the gap from the switches to the circuit board. With insufficient room to work, the switches appear inoperative.

To fix this, no soldering iron is needed, just a hammer, and a piece of wood, to get the front panel back in shape and aligned.

The front terminals are a bit damaged, but they work, and I will have a look around for a few spares (these are 1510-0091 binding post – let me know, if you have one around), or try to fix them by some custom-made red plastic inserts – this will have to wait for the next winter!