LeCroy 9450 oscilloscope repair

This was supposed to be an easy repair, and therefore not worth blogging about. But as it turns out, it might get interesting after all. (The ‘scope is not repaired yet)

The “Leidse Makerspace” owns a LeCroy 9450 350Mhz DSO. When they moved to their new location I temporarily got this oscilloscope. Not just for use or storage, but also to attempt to repair it. One of its channels was not working, sometimes it even wouldn’t display anything.

The display problem quickly turned out to be a loose connector. With this connector loose it would display nothing it al, or if it did work, it would sometimes glitch out like this:

IMG_6035_lecroy9450tobefixed

While at other times it would display normally:

IMG_6034_lecroy9450tobefixed

Probably just some transport damage, as after refitting this connector the problem has not been back. Now, on to the more interesting problem: channel 1 did not work: it did not respond to an input signal and it had a huge offset. After using the vertical position adjustment knob to bring it into view it would sometimes even oscillate on it’s own, showing needle-like pulses. The ‘scope also wouldn’t trigger on channel 1. Channel 2 functions fine, so it is still a usable 350Mhz DSO. However, 2 channels would be a lot nicer, and fault-finding is one of my hobbies. So… Time to remove the covers.

The easy-est way to measure in the analogue front-end of this oscilloscope is to turn it upside down, remove the bottom cover, remove the 12 screws holding the shielding, and remove the shielding.

IMG_6067_lecroy9450frontend

After this, an input signal can be followed, measuring before and after each subcircuit.
(I don’t have a picture of this, but I do have a picture of the 9450_7 front end, removed from the ‘scope, and from my annotated copy of the schematic)

IMG_6072_lecroy9450_7

IMG_6080_lecroy9450schematic

Close- up of the area of the board I’m looking at:

lecroy9450_7_detail

Somewhere here, the signal got lost. As you can see there is another module inserted through the pcb, this is the HHZ406. It turned out the signal entered this module (an amplifier), but nothing sensible got out.  IMG_6076_lecroy9450_HHZ406view from the other side of the board, also showing the relays. (Those metal cans)

IMG_6075_lecroy9450_HHZ406

This module does not look like it can be repaired, nothing is obviously visibly broken, and those “black blobs” don’t look promising either, because these usually cover (custom) semiconductors directly bonded to the PCB.

It also looks like it cannot be bought anywhere. Too specific, too custom… (If you know where to get these, or work for LeCroy and have spares, or if you would like to reverse-engineer them, let me know.)

But this story does not end here. This scope has 3 HHZ406 modules. One for each channel, and one for external trigger.

So I swapped the modules for external trigger and channel 1. After this, the signal got to the output of the 9450_7 board. When using the same V/Div settings on ch1 and 2, and feeding them the same input signal, the signals here would be identical.

The story does not end here either, however. Channel 1 still does not work. It does respond to an input signal and the ‘scope does trigger on this channel now, but the signal is not displayed properly. It has needle-like pulses on it. These pulses move when changing V/Div settings on the ‘scope or input signal amplitude from the signal generator. (Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFei5CZ6lqA)

There is another defect lurking somewhere in the 9450_3a ADC boards, because when I swap them, the problem moves to the other channel (Ch2). Measuring on these boards is harder because they are not easy to get to while the ‘scope is operating, unlike the analogue front-end (9450_7).

IMG_6036_lecroy9450_3a_adccardsTo be continued (?).


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6 responses to “LeCroy 9450 oscilloscope repair”

  1. […] isn’t able to declare total victory yet. His LeCroy 9450 oscilloscope repair project has seen some success, though. The glitchy screen seen above is just one of the problems it had, […]

  2. Claude Schwarz Avatar

    Hey! I might have you a spare ADC board if you like. Also have a 9450A and bought a second,dead, 9450A for spares…

    1. lukelectro Avatar

      Sure would like a spare ADC board. This is a 9450 but ADC boards might very well be identical.
      Do you also have a HHZ406 or 9450_7 board? (Broken 9450_7 is fine too). I’ll send you a email.

    2. Hans Derks (NL) Avatar
      Hans Derks (NL)

      Dear Claude,
      I own a 9424 with one channel broken (channel 4). After extensive test I came to the conclusion that the input HiZ amplifier HHZ406 has passed away. I believe the 9450 utilizes the same amplifier. Is there a chance for me to obtain one HHZ406 from you? The are quite tricky to desolder, because you don’s want them to get to hot. Like to hear from you very much!

      Thanks, Hans

      1. lukelectro Avatar

        @Hans:

        It is indeed the same amplifier, they can be carefully de-soldered with some wick.
        I asked Claude the same thing, he pointed me to the Yahoo group “Lecroy Owners Group”. They have design files for a replacement HHZ406, but their file section is not public.

        1. Hans Avatar
          Hans

          Thnx! It’s a challenge, let put it this way. In the meantime I joined the Yahoo LeCroy group en will post my adventures there in the near future!

          Hans

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