Got a used oscilloscope off Facebook Marketplace, it was full of cockroaches

Picked up a Tektronix 465 from a guy in St. Louis last week for $40. Thought I got a steal. Got it home, popped the case off to check the internals, and there were a dozen dead roaches inside. Fried power supply too. Spent 3 hours cleaning it out with compressed air and isopropyl. It actually powers on now but the trace is wavy. Anyone else deal with bug-infested gear before? How do you prep a find like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

lilys811mo ago

Yeah but @singh.jessica made me realize I was wrong about contact cleaner being a waste.

singh.jessica1mo ago

Yeah that wavy trace after a roach infestation is super common, the little buggers get into the deflection plate wiring and leave residue. I'd suggest hitting every single switch and pot with contact cleaner next, the roach poop messes with the controls even if you can't see it.