Tektronix 222 / 224 Li-Ion Battery Pack

[@swp466]

Awesome project! I especially like the irony of a Li--ion battery named "Crazy fire".

[@chewykarma]

You are so right. This is an amazing little scope, and the CRT display quality more than compensates for the small screen. My 222A has been used as an automotive diagnostic tool for decades, but must always be tethered to the charger while in use. Your meticulous and artful battery project is an inspiration to finally fashion a battery. My compliments on your skill, ingenuity, attention to detail, and a most enjoyable video. Craftsmanship lives.

[@johncunningham5435]

A very professional build that actually looks like it belongs with the scope; "Excellent" I recently got the Tektronix 224 60 MHz scope in flawless condition, yes the lead acid battery is dead and not available. I have thought about a number of ways to come up with a solution, your design is exceptional and certainly worth consideration. Congratulations on a job well done, will consider purchasing your board if available.

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thank you, it's great to get such good feedback! As I said, this is really quite over the top and Mr Carlson's method of using NiMH cells is probably more practical, cheaper and pragmatic. But if you want to give this a try send me a message, I still have a few boards left over.

[@Raptorman0909]

The only downside I can see to Mr Carlson's solution using NiMH batteries is that he's relying on the 222's battery charge circuit to charge the batteries and I suspect the result will be overcharging if left plugged in. I suspect that many of the dead batteries in the 222's are due to overcharging via constant current.

[@leisergeist]

Cool! Might give me an excuse to grab one of these I would have thought it was a factory made professional device, well done!

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thank you, I'm really glad you like the way it turned out.

[@toddanonymous5295]

Kitsune, What a great project. When the Tektronix engineering department sees this don't be surprised if you get a job offer.

[@sdgelectronics]

Turned out really nice! You should show our favourite colleague how to make light pipes

[@kitsune-denshi]

I fear I may not have the proper academic credentials to do that :P

[@Altair-Fan]

Very impressive work. Most definitely over kill but that why i love it!

[@Raptorman0909]

Well, I found an adapter that fits but it's rated at 15VDC and 800mA but I tried it anyway -- and it works! The adapter is a small switcher type as most of them are but it does seem to operate the little bastard just fine. I'd be happier if the voltage was closer to 18VDC and the current was rated a bit higher, but it works.

[@davecc0000]

Elegant solution, stellar design. Cheers.

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thank you very much, glad you liked it!

[@g1fsh]

Wow really nice job Great circuit and super idea.

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thanks a lot, I'm happy to hear that you like this contraption! :)

[@sidlinger]

This is wonderful. I own two of these wonderful little scopes, one is indistinguishable from new and the other is still new-in-box. If you make some next-generation boards then I might use a resin printer to make a case of fewer pieces and more effortlessly reproducible.

[@nathanpc]

That's a beautiful project! Congratulations!

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thank you for your kind comment, I really appreciate it!

[@christophelibold2803]

+kitsune-denshi hello i need this circuit for my 224. can you sell me a kit for my 224. What is the price. thanks. [e-mail]

[@bloguetronica]

I don't think it's over the top. It is actually a very well made and sensible solution!

[@LiquidAudio]

Fantastic job you did with this, wish you had the whole kit for sale! I think I'm just going to use 6 x NiMH in series in a battery holder. Not nearly as cool, but hopefully will do the job!

[@jon87386]

I recently ordered one of these scopes. Perhaps I'll roll my own board similar to yours (but more bare-bones; protoboarded and such, and using 18650's with built in protection)

[@Raptorman0909]

I have a really old Tek 222 that of course has the dead battery problem and seeing this video had me pulling it out of storage to look it over once again. I could not remove the battery cover by hand and had to use a screw driver to pry it open. Thankfully there was no obvious leakage so if I can find power for it I might be able to bring it back to life. I can't find my manual but the back indicates the external power can be either 16-20 VAC or 18 VDC. I may have the charger someplace, but finding it may take a decade or more so I may hook it up to my bench supply. Just to be sure, the center pin should be plus and the outer barrel minus -- correct? Not that I need this little gem as I now have a Rigol DS1054Z but a portable battery powered scope is great in the field or for working on the car. I have a couple Drok buck converters that I could use but I'd need to power from a higher voltage so that would be a 6S LiPo setup which would be a bit cumbersome but would offer a pretty decent run time. Actually, my DJI Inspire 1 Pro drone has 6S packs of 130WHr capacity so all I'd need to do is rig up some cables and a box to hold the parts.

[@kirknelson156]

good project, I've been working on a project not with anything as fancy as a portable scope, just wanted to replace some sub c nicad in an old bissell spot lifter. was considering using a boost converter but am unsure of the current draw from the motor. hope mine comes out even half as good as yours, well done :)

[@jtveg]

Thanks so much for sharing. 😉👌🏻

[@TechNed]

I'm a little confused about the parallel arrangement of the batteries. When I saw in the video (before seeing the circuit) that you have 3 separate protection circuits I was relieved that there was some form of isolation between them, even though perfectly matched batteries should behave like one, as mentioned on your page. Looking at the circuit, you have 3 batteries connected together via 0Ω links (I assume for fusing?). Am I missing something? How are the protection circuits acting on their respective cells alone?

[@TechNed]

Oh wait.. I think I get it. R14-16 are optional?

[@billygo6135]

Right at the end I heard -larushkhaaaa, that is funny, thanks, very useful and professional solution.

[@paulmoore6893]

you can put in battery acid,in the original ones.they typically dry out.dont over fill as it will expand.go slow and check with a volt meter.

[@kitsune-denshi]

I'm afraid the original batteries cannot be refilled, as they are sealed lead acid types, which use gel rather than conventional acid.

[@owenaero]

I would like to get one of these boards from you but cant find a contact

[@padraicmcguire108]

If you still havecany pcb left, I'd happily take 1 or 2. Just bought a Tek 222 and need a battery and a charger cord!

[@1959Berre]

Too cute to be true! :) I want one!

[@Chicoelwahsh]

Hi any idea if i can buy the assembled battery compartment from you, with an RC filter installed ?

[@TERRAOperativeOriginal]

Hi, Do you have the files for the enclosure? I have a 222 and a 224 that both would benefit from this mod. :)

[@thetechgenie7374]

Get rid of the crazyfire batteries they are likely not 4200 mAH as well as the ultrafire batteries are not as well.

[@jormamannikko4304]

I liked to buy one pcb do you still have

[@solidamber]

"not much to it" i dissagree it is genius

[@teald4347]

Hi, Would you be willing to share the schematic and parts list of your design?

[@kitsune-denshi]

You can find the design files on my web site: kitsune-denshi.net/projects:tek222bat - please let me know if there is something missing or if you've got any other questions.

[@shlomsi2000]

Excellent, talk about over engineering! At first I thought, what an intelligent design but he uses some poor fake rating li-ions? but clearly it was intentional :) A pair of something like panasonic NCR18650B or similar would be great, something like 24Wh vs the original Lead acid's 16Wh, (minus the small boost loses) is a great improvement.

[@kitsune-denshi]

Glad you appreciate the stab at the batteries - I'll just never understand why most of them have some sort of reference to fire in their brand name! You'll be pleased to hear that I did indeed get a bunch of Panasonic cells for actual use because I wouldn't want to leave those cells unattended :)

[@gerardhalloy]

Hi, I am aware that this is not a very recent posting, I really like what you have made here to re- power the scope. I have a 222PS that I cannot find battery replacement for and I would like, if at all possible, to get one of these boards from you. Let me know what the cost is if you still have one available. Thanks.

[@kitsune-denshi]

I'm afraid I don't haver any boards left. However, I recently updated the layout and *might* get some more made. I'll let you know if and when that happens.

[@compdad]

@ Kitsune-denshi If you ever do another run. Please let me/us know... Am in Australia and trying to get bits and or PCB's done can be a nightmare... Love your work and focus on the detail...

[@gerardhalloy]

@@kitsune-denshi Well..... did you ever.... or not .... make some more. I still got that little scope and would still like one of these.... PM ME if you please. Thanks.

[@Conflict409]

You should look into your 18650's. 4200mAh is more than max currently rated 18650 (3400mAh). One way to check this is the weight. If its less than 42g (like 33~35g which I'm expecting) they're fake. Check it out :) (just a tip) Ps. A perfect source for 18650's is laptop batteries. open em up and you usually find 6-8 cells (depends on type). Cheers

[@kitsune-denshi]

Thank you very much for your advice. I am absolutely certain that the capacity printed on these batteries has nothing to do with reality - that and the hilarious brand name was precisely the reason why I used them for comic effect in the video :)

[@nohrtillman8734]

10 years for those lead acids? Working with those when they were new, those cells were not that great. An hour runtime brand new, done within a year. I believe it’s the reason so many of these got shelved, in great condition, so early in their lives.

[@c.brionkidder9232]

すごい！