GCA/McPherson Instrument 285 .5 Meter Double Monochromator, Spectrometer

Description

GCA/McPherson Instrument 285 .5 Meter Double Monochromator
For sale- a GCA/McPherson Instrument 285 .5 Meter Double Monochromator.
The instrument has been modified it would appear to use an externally mounted Sequential Information Systems Shaft Angle Encoder and presumably a newer stepper motor to drive the diffraction grating mount.
I have no idea whether that was done because the current arrangement offered more precise or easily controlled grating angle, or whether the original drive simply needed replacing and that was the easiest solution.
I had assumed that the encoder was a stepper motor until I looked at the pictures I took, will have to see if I can sneak a look underneath to see what sort of drive motor was employed.
The monochromator is NASA surplus, so presumably a retrofit was within their realm of technical expertise.
I assume it might have been something they did more than once, as in the box with the removed synchronous drive mechanism was a metal plate used as a jig for drilling the holes for the new drive motor.
And the fact that they kept the old drive as opposed to tossing it would suggest that it was still functional when removed.
The monochromator came with a couple of GCA/McPherson 785 controllers and an outboard power supply, but I would assume those to have been part of the original drive system so I am going to sell those separately in the near future.
Given the vintage of the system I think it would be wise to budget for some repairs and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t need any.
Untested, sold as is, and NO warranty is offered.
However, IF you pay the asking price and find it has a problem you cannot live with within 14 days of receipt you may return it.
Returns are ONLY allowed on Buy It Now Purchases.
Accepted Best Offers are strictly an as is sale, no returns allowed.
Return would be for a refund of the purchase price, not including shipping costs,
which may be substantial
.
Just so that we are clear on that, this is an item that has not been thoroughly tested.
As such it may work fine or it may have problems, so any purchase entails a certain degree of risk.
If you Buy It Now your risk is limited to the shipping costs both ways.
If you submit an offer you do so knowing that you cannot return it.
In either case it is up to you to decide whether the risk level is acceptable to you, and if not you need to pass on this particular item.
Overall the instrument appears to be in very nice condition.
The two slit assemblies, one sporting a Uniblitz shutter mounted, were both covered in padded paper, that was removed for the pictures and then replaced.
The mirror assemblies look pristine to me and I have seen more than a few that are not.
HOWEVER, there are NO gratings installed
.
So at the VERY LEAST you
would need to replace those before the unit could be placed back in service.
And as you can see they thought enough of the piece to cover up portions of the grating drive, presumably to prevent oxidation.
Please check out my other listings for more interesting lab, test, and optical equipment.
Check back often!
Sold as is, as described, as pictured.
Potential buyers are asked to please make sure you have read the listing carefully, and understand what you are buying.
Ebay’s condition codes for used items, which I am now required to select from, might imply a degree of functionality that my limited time, knowledge, and facilities do not allow me to ascertain.
If the functional condition of the item is known it will be stated as such in the listing.
Unless a warranty is specifically offered returns are not accepted regardless of any implied functionality.
Shipping will be motor freight on a pallet unless you would like to come pick it up.
I would estimate the shipping weight at around 300 pounds.
I would estimate the freight cost for that at between 0 and 0 to the east and west coast respectively.
Residential deliveries, deliveries that require liftgates, deliveries to the boonies, and deliveries to schools or universities will all be more because it takes longer for the carrier to get the job done.
Shipping will be via Old Dominion Freight Lines, which has done a consistently good job getting my shipments where they are going without roughing them up.
I will be happy to quote you for the shipment, but I need to know the zip code, residential or commercial, and whether a lift gate will be required.
If you would prefer to use another carrier that’s fine .
It will be shipping from a warehouse with a loading dock in zip code 23093, but I do not live there!
I require pickup confirmation the day before and your carrier must provide an emailed printable copy of the Bill of Lading so that there is paperwork available for the driver to sign when he gets there.
The BOL should have all the info filled out when I receive it, blank copies are unacceptable.
I can ship this to Canada via Old Dominion, but they do not offer customs brokerage services, so you would need to have your own customs broker lined up before it shipped.
And while I cannot comment on the duties, tariffs, taxes and fees that might be levied, I can say that shipping to the metro areas of eastern Canada is surprisingly affordable.