Tektronix 453 Manual - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Steve_P · 22nd Sep 2023, 5:26 pm

I would prefer a manual if anyone has one to loan…..

Only gives a display on ADD and Trace Locate. The Timebase is working and creating one or two lines but only in those two settings….. any ideas ?

Cheers,

Steve P

ppalped · 22nd Sep 2023, 9:44 pm

The site ko4bb.com does have a manual for 453 - it seems an adapted version for some military division, dated from 1972. But it seems to have everything one might need, including parts list and schematics.

Alex

Jez1234 · 22nd Sep 2023, 10:03 pm

It's readily available on line. Tek wiki is bound to have it!

First made as a special for IBM computers service techs and with a requirement that it should fit underneath a seat in a plane

I have an almost NOS one and very good it is.

Leon Crampin · 22nd Sep 2023, 10:32 pm

Good comments above. I have a 453 which is an excellent instrument well up to Tek standards. Mine arrived with no fan and multiple faults.

Without going into excessive detail, the majority of amplifier and time base faults were caused by the deterioration of the Fairchild small signal transistors. These were mounted on a plastic header and sealed on top with a blob of epoxy. Thermal cycling of course sealed their fate.

All can be replaced by epitaxial TO-18 devices such as the BC107 and BCY70. The sockets make this straightforward following a diagnosis of the fault. The metal can devices used in other areas of higher dissipation are reliable.

I think this instrument was made in Tek's golden period. No irreplaceable parts and good simple analogue design giving a very useful level of performance. The build standard was above reproach. It also sports a pin sharp trace.

Leon.

Steve_P · 23rd Sep 2023, 9:50 am

Thanks ever so much lads ! Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Steve P

John_BS · 24th Sep 2023, 2:01 pm

Steve: can you let us have a s/n to establish if it's the early (Nuvistor) or later FET version?

(A majority of online manual scans seem to be for the earlier version.)

I have a good selection of spares for these scopes.

Before doing anything else, check the main power supply lines with a good DVM. The -12V is the reference for both the +75 and +12 so should be checked first. +75V second, and note the +12 is NOT set to +12.00V : you remove a transistor from the 1kHz calibrator circuit and using the +12V line adjust, set the cal output to precisely +1.000V

John

Chris55000 · 24th Sep 2023, 9:19 pm

Manual Clarification :–

If your '453 has two small 8393 Nuvistor Valves, V23 (CH1) and V123 (CH2) in the Vertical Amplifier input stages, you require Manual 070–0478–00 which has a light grey watermark "http;//momoman.sqhill.com" on the bottom left–hand corner of each page –

(BEWARE! This chap who watermarks them with this sometimes misses a lot of pages out – it took me ages to get the missing 465B manual pages he left out! – flip thro' it and make sure all the pages are present!)

. . .is the one you need covering the Nuvistor Versions!

If your 453 has a Serial Number > 20000, you require Manual No. 070–0755–02 which is the FET Input Version and is beautifully scanned in colour, free download several sources!

There is also a Military Manual TM11–6625-1722-15 titled "OSCILLOSCOPE AN/USM–273" – this is also suitable for the FET input versions!

Chris Williams

22nd Sep 2023, 5:26 pm	#1
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,639	Tektronix 453 Manual I would prefer a manual if anyone has one to loan….. Only gives a display on ADD and Trace Locate. The Timebase is working and creating one or two lines but only in those two settings….. any ideas ? Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

22nd Sep 2023, 9:44 pm	#2
ppalped Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Lisbon, Portugal. Posts: 62	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual The site ko4bb.com does have a manual for 453 - it seems an adapted version for some military division, dated from 1972. But it seems to have everything one might need, including parts list and schematics. Alex

22nd Sep 2023, 10:03 pm	#3
Jez1234 Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 936	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual It's readily available on line. Tek wiki is bound to have it! First made as a special for IBM computers service techs and with a requirement that it should fit underneath a seat in a plane I have an almost NOS one and very good it is.

22nd Sep 2023, 10:32 pm	#4
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,845	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual Good comments above. I have a 453 which is an excellent instrument well up to Tek standards. Mine arrived with no fan and multiple faults. Without going into excessive detail, the majority of amplifier and time base faults were caused by the deterioration of the Fairchild small signal transistors. These were mounted on a plastic header and sealed on top with a blob of epoxy. Thermal cycling of course sealed their fate. All can be replaced by epitaxial TO-18 devices such as the BC107 and BCY70. The sockets make this straightforward following a diagnosis of the fault. The metal can devices used in other areas of higher dissipation are reliable. I think this instrument was made in Tek's golden period. No irreplaceable parts and good simple analogue design giving a very useful level of performance. The build standard was above reproach. It also sports a pin sharp trace. Leon.

23rd Sep 2023, 9:50 am	#5
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,639	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual Thanks ever so much lads ! Wish me luck! Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

24th Sep 2023, 2:01 pm	#6
John_BS Octode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wincanton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual Steve: can you let us have a s/n to establish if it's the early (Nuvistor) or later FET version? (A majority of online manual scans seem to be for the earlier version.) I have a good selection of spares for these scopes. Before doing anything else, check the main power supply lines with a good DVM. The -12V is the reference for both the +75 and +12 so should be checked first. +75V second, and note the +12 is NOT set to +12.00V : you remove a transistor from the 1kHz calibrator circuit and using the +12V line adjust, set the cal output to precisely +1.000V John

24th Sep 2023, 9:19 pm	#7
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,754	Re: Tektronix 453 Manual Manual Clarification :– If your '453 has two small 8393 Nuvistor Valves, V23 (CH1) and V123 (CH2) in the Vertical Amplifier input stages, you require Manual 070–0478–00 which has a light grey watermark "http;//momoman.sqhill.com" on the bottom left–hand corner of each page – (BEWARE! This chap who watermarks them with this sometimes misses a lot of pages out – it took me ages to get the missing 465B manual pages he left out! – flip thro' it and make sure all the pages are present!) . . .is the one you need covering the Nuvistor Versions! If your 453 has a Serial Number > 20000, you require Manual No. 070–0755–02 which is the FET Input Version and is beautifully scanned in colour, free download several sources! There is also a Military Manual TM11–6625-1722-15 titled "OSCILLOSCOPE AN/USM–273" – this is also suitable for the FET input versions! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!