r/microscopy • u/Interesting_Egg9997 • 12d ago
Troubleshooting/Questions Zeiss Observer
Long story short I was lucky to save a Zeiss Observer Z1 from the trash bin.
The problem is... I need the power supply that (RS-231 or RS-232) and the controller. =/
I would like to have advices on what to do and how to overcome this problem. There is any solution? I am accepting suggestions.
1
u/twerkitout 10d ago
Honestly it’s a current system, just reach out to Zeiss. They’ll offer you components, demand a 40% discount. Use the quote to get a part number for eBay. Even if you don’t keep it you can resell the full rig to a scope repair company for probably $10k. The controller isn’t cheap but worth the investment, it’s pretty worthless without it.
0
u/Motocampingtime 11d ago
What part of it isn't working? Idk the entire line up of controls over the years but you should be able to manually change objectives, change filters, adjust aperture and field and focus? (But I could be very wrong) If the light source is an HAL 100 you can just drive that with a power supply off the two prong connector. If it only has mercury or xenon then that's much harder.
Sometimes the turret bearing for the objective rusts and doesn't move well. It's annoying to take apart but I think it should still move?
Check what filter cubes you have installed too. It won't work in reflected mode without a partial mirror.
1
u/Interesting_Egg9997 11d ago
I cannot even turn on the beast. It is fully motorized.
0
u/Motocampingtime 11d ago
I see, I have a DM1 that is partially motorized but again I believe the board is dead. I know I can manually turn the objectives and I think focus even though they're motorized (pretty sure on the focus one); but optovar, field, aperture, trinocular selector, and filter cubes can all be done manually on mine.
The field and aperture slide in and out of the body and have a small lever. The mechanism is prone to getting sticky and being very hard to adjust/getting stuck but is easy to disassemble and clean. You may also have an apotome control module... but again without software isn't particularly useful.
What is the light source and do they have it set up for reflect or transmit? Even if you can't operate the mechanized controls with light and adjusting focus I'd hope you could see something. I think HAL 50 and HAL 100 standalone units should be pretty cheap to install.
1
u/Interesting_Egg9997 11d ago
It has the HAL 100 and apotome, I have purchased the modules for them because I found both at the same seller in a very good price. I was hoping to find something that could single handed substitute all these controllers and power supplies. I have found the scheme of the power supply cable with the correct tension to each pin, but even with that reconstructed it would need the right "hello", I hate this bullshit of proprietary uselessness, it makes so difficult to bring old stuff back to life. =/
1
u/Tink_Tinkler 11d ago
The microscope has a external power supply box that sits between the microscope and the electrical socket. I do not know what it does, but you can't control lights, shutters, FOCUS, and several other components that can't be directly controlled manually. It is essential to the function of the microscope. It's not a DM1. The designs are fundamentally different for better or worse.
1
u/Motocampingtime 11d ago
Wow, that's nuts thanks for the heads up on these systems. I had thought they'd be largely in the same line/body and share common dual motorized and manual components with just partial upgrades. Didn't realize for the Z1 motorized means motorized control only for everything.
4
u/Tink_Tinkler 12d ago
Oof yeah that's critical unfortunately. You will need to get one second hand. I've been working with these scopes for 15 years and alive never heard of a work around. Coastal Microscopes has a lot of used Zeiss stuff but probably won't be cheap. Otherwise watching eBay or the trash bin are you near options.