Your video is great. I was able to order and replace my display in minutes. Works great and so much brighter. I ordered the display from Tektronix. It took about a month for them to get it in stock in Beaverton, OR. Rather than just the vacuum display alone, it arrived already mounted on a new circuit board. So, the switches all got new trace pads. I really appreciate you putting up your video. I'd love to see some advance audio use tutorials if you're able to do that. More complex setups beyond just a simple THD measurement.
The displays are different makes - the original was Noritake Itron, the replacement is Newhaven Display. Probably explains the minor differences! Just got myself a 2015THD, probably from the same supplier - the cal void if removed sticker looks the same. My display isn't too bad - but you can tell it has worn out some - there's banding where there's a slight but noticeable brightness increase where the heater wires run above the various segments. A good clean and polish of the existing display and front panel lens helped a lot I initially thought there was a fault with mine - counting up to -1.2VDC then resetting and repeating - but watching your video again it seems both of yours do the exact same. On a lot of consumer equipment (mostly VCRs), a dim VFD was generally down to dried-out electrolytics in DC-DC converter modules. While these were available as a replacement module, I used to just replace the caps with decent ones. A good clean of the display and front panel and they were generally as good as new. Phosphors on the segments do wear out though.
Not only is the font is different its also cleaner and nice and bright, nice job, also there is a way of restoring plastic from sun damage and old age on youtube somewhere, so you might want to look at that, if i remember correctly its using a type of alcohol based cleaner and fine sponge that is almost like very very fine sand paper.
Very fun to watch, especially now that youtube supports 50p/60p videos. Motion is nice and fluid! :D I've pulled many huge through-hole packages like that using a manual pump without much trouble. My trick is just to put extra solder on each pin beforehand, then make sure to apply the soldering iron for a few seconds to let it all melt through, then pump it out. Of course a desoldering rig is much cleaner and faster. Nonetheless, you can't beat the price and portability of a small manual pump in a pinch. :) As a little note, if/when I do touch the metal contacts on the PCB for the conductive buttons, I'd always clean them with alcohol prior to re-assembly. Even a bit of skin oil can worsen their operation over time. Thanks so much for making these vids, they've been very helpful. :)
IanScottJohnston Really? :o For me, it lists your latest few videos as 720p50 and 1080p50. I'm in Canada and on a very fast connection, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it. I much prefer this look to the 24/25/30Hz which is really outdated in my opinion. Anyhow I'm really looking forward to seeing more from you Ian! :) -Nick
IanScottJohnston Oh, also I'm using Chrome. I tried it in Firefox and I don't get the 50Hz there. Not sure if it's browser-specific, but looks like it might be for now.
Great work Ian; I too am spurred on to replace the VFD in a 2400 I purchased recently. But Tektronix have refused to sell me the VFD...Could to let me know where you got yours as I dread the thoughts of this wonderful instrument being rendered scrap...Keep up the great work.
Good job Ian! - Now i just need to pony up with some cash, and do the same to my 34401a which has been "burning" for at least 10 years without ever being turned off, so most of the segments are quite dim. It would be like getting a new instrument, to replace the display.
Smashing repair :-), well worth the money for a fresh bright display. I was with you when you were jiggerling the pins of the new display into the front pcb, ive had the same problem with displays, also wide ribbon cables that are soldered direct into the pcb, allways fun lol :-D Some people go mad for fluke (dave jones) but keithley is really nice too :-)
The VFD displays were clearly manufactured by two different manufacturers. The first display was a Noritake Itron, the 2nd might be Futaba. Explains the differences.
Nice, I love VFDs. Too bad they're harder to get now, and are quite expensive. I love the extra brightness and the wide viewing angle ... ugh ... even fancy expensive equipment often comes with an LCD display, which just doesn't work that well (I keep most of my instruments above the workbench, so the LCD viewing angle from there is total crap).
Hi Ian, first of all, thank you for your kindness of sharing this video. Well, I have the same problem with my Keithley 2015 THD. May you provide me the display reference and the shop where to buy the display? Best regards. Joao Almeida Portugal
@@IanScottJohnstonoh, sorry to hear that…anyway, thanks for your extremely fast answer. And regards from Madrid, Spain. Pls…keep on doing your excellent and clean videos.
What if there are surface components on the backside of the board where the VFD is? Some of them are plastic and look easy to melt. Hmmm... I will have to try with isopropyl alcohol and some plastic tabs to free the double-sided tape on my Advantest R6581T.
A better way to melt the double-sided tape is to heat a thin metal blade and slowly insert it in between the display and the tape. When a crack is large enough, pour isopropyl alcohol down the crack to soften the remaining adhesive. Repeat. Having a desoldering gun like the one in the video would be a huge time saver. I had to use a manual solder sucker and it took forever. Good luck people.
@gizzzmonic - With an attitude like that why on earth should I tell you? The question has already been answered if you look down the comments. I got them from Tektronix but they are no longer available now. This video is 9 years old, I don't monitor all the comments on the older videos. Try the contact form on my website.
Many thanks for your instructive videos. I myself have scored a 2015 DMM with a very dim display and would like to replace it. Could you let us know where you ordered your spare parts from ? 53 bucks for these VFD seems quite reasonable in Tektronix standards...
Your video is great. I was able to order and replace my display in minutes. Works great and so much brighter. I ordered the display from Tektronix. It took about a month for them to get it in stock in Beaverton, OR. Rather than just the vacuum display alone, it arrived already mounted on a new circuit board. So, the switches all got new trace pads. I really appreciate you putting up your video. I'd love to see some advance audio use tutorials if you're able to do that. More complex setups beyond just a simple THD measurement.
rb How much did you pay for that?
@@allesklarklaus147 whats the part number? thanks!
The displays are different makes - the original was Noritake Itron, the replacement is Newhaven Display. Probably explains the minor differences!
Just got myself a 2015THD, probably from the same supplier - the cal void if removed sticker looks the same.
My display isn't too bad - but you can tell it has worn out some - there's banding where there's a slight but noticeable brightness increase where the heater wires run above the various segments.
A good clean and polish of the existing display and front panel lens helped a lot
I initially thought there was a fault with mine - counting up to -1.2VDC then resetting and repeating - but watching your video again it seems both of yours do the exact same.
On a lot of consumer equipment (mostly VCRs), a dim VFD was generally down to dried-out electrolytics in DC-DC converter modules. While these were available as a replacement module, I used to just replace the caps with decent ones. A good clean of the display and front panel and they were generally as good as new.
Phosphors on the segments do wear out though.
Not only is the font is different its also cleaner and nice and bright, nice job, also there is a way of restoring plastic from sun damage and old age on youtube somewhere, so you might want to look at that, if i remember correctly its using a type of alcohol based cleaner and fine sponge that is almost like very very fine sand paper.
Very fun to watch, especially now that youtube supports 50p/60p videos. Motion is nice and fluid! :D I've pulled many huge through-hole packages like that using a manual pump without much trouble. My trick is just to put extra solder on each pin beforehand, then make sure to apply the soldering iron for a few seconds to let it all melt through, then pump it out. Of course a desoldering rig is much cleaner and faster. Nonetheless, you can't beat the price and portability of a small manual pump in a pinch. :)
As a little note, if/when I do touch the metal contacts on the PCB for the conductive buttons, I'd always clean them with alcohol prior to re-assembly. Even a bit of skin oil can worsen their operation over time.
Thanks so much for making these vids, they've been very helpful. :)
I always upload at 50Hz.....but TH-cam renders them as 30Hz including this one.....I didn't think they did 50/60Hz......must look into this!
IanScottJohnston Really? :o For me, it lists your latest few videos as 720p50 and 1080p50. I'm in Canada and on a very fast connection, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it. I much prefer this look to the 24/25/30Hz which is really outdated in my opinion. Anyhow I'm really looking forward to seeing more from you Ian! :) -Nick
IanScottJohnston Oh, also I'm using Chrome. I tried it in Firefox and I don't get the 50Hz there. Not sure if it's browser-specific, but looks like it might be for now.
whatlions
Yes, I just tried Chrome and sure enough it's 50Hz there. Thanks for the pointer!
IanScottJohnston
And wow!, the quality is sooooo much better.....to my eyes anyways!
Great work Ian; I too am spurred on to replace the VFD in a 2400 I purchased recently. But Tektronix have refused to sell me the VFD...Could to let me know where you got yours as I dread the thoughts of this wonderful instrument being rendered scrap...Keep up the great work.
Excellent! But now you've made me jealous and I'm going to have to replace the display on my 2015 also! :-) Thanks for leading the way!
Good job Ian! - Now i just need to pony up with some cash, and do the same to my 34401a which has been "burning" for at least 10 years without ever being turned off, so most of the segments are quite dim. It would be like getting a new instrument, to replace the display.
Smashing repair :-), well worth the money for a fresh bright display.
I was with you when you were jiggerling the pins of the new display into the front pcb, ive had the same problem with displays, also wide ribbon cables that are soldered direct into the pcb, allways fun lol :-D
Some people go mad for fluke (dave jones) but keithley is really nice too :-)
The VFD displays were clearly manufactured by two different manufacturers. The first display was a Noritake Itron, the 2nd might be Futaba. Explains the differences.
Nice, I love VFDs.
Too bad they're harder to get now, and are quite expensive.
I love the extra brightness and the wide viewing angle ... ugh ... even fancy expensive equipment often comes with an LCD display, which just doesn't work that well (I keep most of my instruments above the workbench, so the LCD viewing angle from there is total crap).
Great job. Please do a video on how to use it to measure THD of an amplifier.
Hi Ian, first of all, thank you for your kindness of sharing this video.
Well, I have the same problem with my Keithley 2015 THD.
May you provide me the display reference and the shop where to buy the display?
Best regards.
Joao Almeida
Portugal
Hi, contact Tektronix direct, cost me about 53 UKP+vat.
@@IanScottJohnston
Ok, thanks!
Best regards!
Another great video, Ian. I need to replace the one of my 2015. Do you know how or where to order it?. TIA!
I bought mine from Tek, but they are not available now.
@@IanScottJohnstonoh, sorry to hear that…anyway, thanks for your extremely fast answer. And regards from Madrid, Spain.
Pls…keep on doing your excellent and clean videos.
HI
,
IanScottJohnston
Keithley 2015 THD Multimeter Display Replacement
Ian are you planning on getting a tilt bench stand for this? i just got this meter and im trying to find where i can get a stand. any ideas?
Thanks Ion,
how would i contact you? I need to find out where I could get the replacement VFD ?
Thank you for the grate video.. Please can you let me know where can I order display and Basel for 2015 THD meter ?
Hi, I got them from the manufacturer years ago.......but as far as I know they are no longer available.
Hello !
Where can I buy a display for the meter
Thank you
best regards
Artur
What if there are surface components on the backside of the board where the VFD is? Some of them are plastic and look easy to melt. Hmmm... I will have to try with isopropyl alcohol and some plastic tabs to free the double-sided tape on my Advantest R6581T.
A better way to melt the double-sided tape is to heat a thin metal blade and slowly insert it in between the display and the tape. When a crack is large enough, pour isopropyl alcohol down the crack to soften the remaining adhesive. Repeat. Having a desoldering gun like the one in the video would be a huge time saver. I had to use a manual solder sucker and it took forever. Good luck people.
And no one answers regarding the purchase of the display?
Hard to suport your vids if your unwilling to answer a simple question.... WHERE did you order the replacement screen FROM?
@gizzzmonic - With an attitude like that why on earth should I tell you? The question has already been answered if you look down the comments. I got them from Tektronix but they are no longer available now. This video is 9 years old, I don't monitor all the comments on the older videos. Try the contact form on my website.
why did you take down the article?
Oops, a typo on my part....fixed.
Ian
How do we contact you to find out where to get the spare part? What is your website?
Thanks
Mike Azodi See the show notes above.
WHERE SALE Keithley 2015 THD Multimeter Display Replacement
Thanks for leading the way!
Direct from tek.com, they still stock them (or used to). Ian.
Many thanks for your instructive videos. I myself have scored a 2015 DMM with a very dim display and would like to replace it. Could you let us know where you ordered your spare parts from ? 53 bucks for these VFD seems quite reasonable in Tektronix standards...
Contact me via my website with your email address an I will put you in touch. Don't want to publish email addresses here.
Ian.
Interesting how close the transformers are to the front board....makes me go "huh?"