Re: AL80B Smells Hot on 10M and 160M
Scott
My 922 did exactly what you're describing then I had a plate short.? Plate blocking cap had let go... Cracked and got to ground.? That was the smell. It was only on specific bands too.? I reckon you look for hot spots there.
Aaron
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Re: AL80B Smells Hot on 10M and 160M
Jim,
I was not aware of w8ji new site, thanks for posting!
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On Dec 17, 2023, at 5:15 AM, Jim VE7RF < jim.thom@...> wrote:
On 160m it could be the padder caps? for the tune and load caps.? ?On 10m, it could be the plate choke.... and / or? bandswitch contacts.? ?How old is the AL-80B ??? After W8JI left ameritron in 2019, ameritron started winding their own plate chokes. Before that,? W8JI wound all the plate chokes in his shop.? All the chokes wound by ameritron after 2019 are screwed up, with gaps wrong, and? ?too much / too little? q dope slopped down the sides.? Gap at bottom is to close to chassis.? ?Scott has see 8 of em burned up now,,and I know of 4 more.? Some burn up on 10m,? some burn up on 17m, some burn up on 20m.? CTR eng ( W8JI's new business) sells the real deal 3 x section plate chokes for the ameritron amps. On 160m padding, check the wiring to the padders carefully.... as they usually wire from cold end of padders to the bandswitch? and use teflon coated wire.....and if the wire is too close to metal, it will arc right through.?
On some of em,? IF using FT-8 mode, and 17m used, the bandswitch contacts get so hot, they actually lose tension, which increases the? resistance even more =? thermal runaway....and the ceramic actually cracks.?? ?
Lou may well chime in as he has worked on a lot of em.? ?I'll ask scott when I talk to him next, as he has worked on loads of those amps.??
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Re: AL80B Smells Hot on 10M and 160M
On 160m it could be the padder caps? for the tune and load caps.? ?On 10m, it could be the plate choke.... and / or? bandswitch contacts.? ?How old is the AL-80B ???
After W8JI left ameritron in 2019, ameritron started winding their own plate chokes. Before that,? W8JI wound all the plate chokes in his shop.? All the chokes wound by ameritron after 2019 are screwed up, with gaps wrong, and? ?too much / too little? q dope slopped down the sides.? Gap at bottom is to close to chassis.? ?Scott has see 8 of em burned up now,,and I know of 4 more.? Some burn up on 10m,? some burn up on 17m, some burn up on 20m.?
CTR eng ( W8JI's new business) sells the real deal 3 x section plate chokes for the ameritron amps.
On 160m padding, check the wiring to the padders carefully.... as they usually wire from cold end of padders to the bandswitch? and use teflon coated wire.....and if the wire is too close to metal, it will arc right through.?
On some of em,? IF using FT-8 mode, and 17m used, the bandswitch contacts get so hot, they actually lose tension, which increases the? resistance even more =? thermal runaway....and the ceramic actually cracks.??
?
Lou may well chime in as he has worked on a lot of em.? ?I'll ask scott when I talk to him next, as he has worked on loads of those amps.??
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Re: AL80B Smells Hot on 10M and 160M
Does the tube socket and/or surrounding area show any signs of overheating? Bob W4JFA?
On Sat, Dec 16, 2023, 11:29 PM Scott Hostetler < scott@...> wrote: The Subject is kind of vague but I have a AL-80B. I have no issues on 75-15m.? The 15M Tuned Input is a little?off, maybe they tuned it to 17M.??
?
On 10M when starting tune up process and I get to about 50Watts?I smell a hot smell.
?
40 Watts of Drive,Grid Current is 85 and Plate Current is 350 Output Power is 490W NO SMELL
?
But when I get to 50Watts?I start smelling a HOT, Plastic Smell, the more drive I give it the worst it gets.??@ 50Watts of Drive, Grid Current is 110, Plate is 378 Output is 615W
?
Any Ideas where to start looking for this problem???
?
?
Next Problem on 160M
?
40Watts?of Drive, Grid Current is 70, Plate is 300 Output power is 430W No Smell
?
When I get to 70 Watts of Drive I smell a different?smell, Like a component breaking down.
When I key with 70Watts?of Drive I see 148 of Grid Current that falls to 130 pretty fast.? Plate current holds at 350 with Output power starting at 739 and dropping to 660 pretty fast as well.? It smells almost like your heat does when you turn in on for the first time in the winter but its different?that the 10M smell...
?
Any Ideas?? The other bands work perfect...? Not Issue no matter how long I use it.
?
?
Thanks for you help.? Sorry if descriptions are off, any help will be appreciated.
?
73
K4MDI
Scott
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AL80B Smells Hot on 10M and 160M
The Subject is kind of vague but I have a AL-80B. I have no issues on 75-15m.? The 15M Tuned Input is a little?off, maybe they tuned it to 17M.??
?
On 10M when starting tune up process and I get to about 50Watts?I smell a hot smell.
?
40 Watts of Drive,Grid Current is 85 and Plate Current is 350 Output Power is 490W NO SMELL
?
But when I get to 50Watts?I start smelling a HOT, Plastic Smell, the more drive I give it the worst it gets.??@ 50Watts of Drive, Grid Current is 110, Plate is 378 Output is 615W
?
Any Ideas where to start looking for this problem???
?
?
Next Problem on 160M
?
40Watts?of Drive, Grid Current is 70, Plate is 300 Output power is 430W No Smell
?
When I get to 70 Watts of Drive I smell a different?smell, Like a component breaking down.
When I key with 70Watts?of Drive I see 148 of Grid Current that falls to 130 pretty fast.? Plate current holds at 350 with Output power starting at 739 and dropping to 660 pretty fast as well.? It smells almost like your heat does when you turn in on for the first time in the winter but its different?that the 10M smell...
?
Any Ideas?? The other bands work perfect...? Not Issue no matter how long I use it.
?
?
Thanks for you help.? Sorry if descriptions are off, any help will be appreciated.
?
73
K4MDI
Scott
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I do love FM……Fleetwood Mac, that is ! ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Adrian Fewster
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2023 11:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ham-amplifiers] Replacement 3-500ZG? On Tue, Dec 12, 2023 at 02:22 AM, John Sparkes wrote: You’re not the drummer in Fleetwood Mac, are you Mick ?? ? John VK6JX ?
Like this guy ? One of my favorite tracks, been a fan for 50 years
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12 KW CCS ON 160-15M...USING THE 3CX-6000A7...Part 8.
Here is Part 8. The vac tune cap is installed vertically. The vac load cap is also installed vertically. And both have right angle drives. The massive model 90 bandswitch, made by multi-tech industries is also installed.
The bandswitch is huge at 9" tall x 7" across. Contacts rated at 40 amps @ 20 kv. That '40 amp' rating is at 60 hz... and NOT RF freqs. Scott modified the switch by adding another identical set of contacts on the other side of the ceramic wafer, then paralleling the contacts. So it's now a 80 amp switch. It's a progressively shorting switch, so all un-used taps are shunted out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngYUTerziyY
?
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No, but I get all the fame!
At 09:22 PM 12/12/2023, you wrote:
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You’re not the drummer in
Fleetwood Mac, are you Mick ??
?
John VK6JX
?
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of mfle2001
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 6:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ham-amplifiers] Replacement 3-500ZG
?
I ordered a pair from Penta Labs a year or so ago, very reasonable price
with shipping to VK and amazingly well packed, so far so good in my
TL922.
Mike
VK2AMF.
At 09:37 AM 11/12/2023, you wrote:
- I have had good service from RF parts.?? Ups broke the tube in
shipping and it was replaced no issue
- Brian
- On Sun, Dec 10, 2023, 1:26 p.m. DupyRail
<andytron434@...>
wrote:
- FWIW, contact Tom, W8JI at CTR Engineering.?? From what I
understand he has tubes F/S that are tested by him to make sure they are
working.
- 73?? Andy?? K9ATX
- On 12/10/2023 12:03 PM, Dave wrote:
- Hello Group, I could use your help!
- Looking to pick up a 3-500ZG replacement for my AL-80B.?? My
choices are:
- RF Parts Company: 3-500ZG (6-month warranty). 250$ (China)
- DX Engineering: Penta Labs RF Vacuum Tube 3-500ZG (no warranty
listed). 300$ (assume China?)
- DX Engineering:? Ameritron 3-500Z Replacement Power Tube (All
products manufactured by Ameritron have a one-year limited warranty) 360$
(assume China?).
- Both vendors have always been reliable for me so my
question:
- Is the Ameritron tube worth the additional $$ or is it
branding?
- Is the Penta Tube? worth the additional $$
- What would be the best replacement?
- (sorry for writing a novel)
- Thanks in advance!
- 73
- K5AKM - Dave
- ?
--
?
"Where the Old Soo crossed the New
Soo"
?
Duplainville,
Wisconsin
?
?
Web page:
?
?
Youtube Channel:
-
- Mike Fleetwood
- Canberra Australia and Sidcup UK.
- Worldwide email address is:?????
mfleetwood@...
Mike Fleetwood
Canberra Australia and Sidcup UK.
Worldwide email address
is:?????
mfleetwood@...
|
No, but I get all the fame!
Mike VK2AMF?
On Thu, 14 Dec 2023, 14:06 Adrian Fewster, < vk4tux@...> wrote: On Tue, Dec 12, 2023 at 02:22 AM, John Sparkes wrote:
You’re not the drummer in Fleetwood Mac, are you Mick ??
?
John VK6JX
?
Like this guy ? One of my favorite tracks, been a fan for 50 years
|
Re: Ten-Tec Centurion Parts Needed
Hi Ron,
I emailed you directly asking the price of the transformer. ? I don't know if you received it.
My email is good on QRZ.com.??? ....Bill K3HZP
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
What do you guys think about the correction kit sold for AL-80B?
73,?
Tony
|
You’re not the drummer in Fleetwood Mac, are you Mick ?? ? John VK6JX ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of mfle2001
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 6:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ham-amplifiers] Replacement 3-500ZG? I ordered a pair from Penta Labs a year or so ago, very reasonable price with shipping to VK and amazingly well packed, so far so good in my TL922.
Mike
VK2AMF.
At 09:37 AM 11/12/2023, you wrote:
I have had good service from RF parts.?? Ups broke the tube in shipping and it was replaced no issue
Brian
On Sun, Dec 10, 2023, 1:26 p.m. DupyRail <andytron434@...> wrote: FWIW, contact Tom, W8JI at CTR Engineering.?? From what I understand he has tubes F/S that are tested by him to make sure they are working.
73?? Andy?? K9ATX
On 12/10/2023 12:03 PM, Dave wrote:
Hello Group, I could use your help! Looking to pick up a 3-500ZG replacement for my AL-80B.?? My choices are: RF Parts Company: 3-500ZG (6-month warranty). 250$ (China) DX Engineering: Penta Labs RF Vacuum Tube 3-500ZG (no warranty listed). 300$ (assume China?) DX Engineering:? Ameritron 3-500Z Replacement Power Tube (All products manufactured by Ameritron have a one-year limited warranty) 360$ (assume China?). Both vendors have always been reliable for me so my question: Is the Ameritron tube worth the additional $$ or is it branding? Is the Penta Tube? worth the additional $$ What would be the best replacement? (sorry for writing a novel) Thanks in advance! 73 K5AKM - Dave
? -- ? "Where the Old Soo crossed the New Soo" ? Duplainville, Wisconsin ? ? Web page:? ? ? Youtube Channel:?
Mike Fleetwood
Canberra Australia and Sidcup UK.
Worldwide email address is:????? mfleetwood@...
|
I ordered a pair from Penta Labs a year or so ago, very reasonable price
with shipping to VK and amazingly well packed, so far so good in my
TL922.
Mike
VK2AMF.
At 09:37 AM 11/12/2023, you wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I have had good service from RF
parts.?? Ups broke the tube in shipping and it was replaced no
issue
Brian
On Sun, Dec 10, 2023, 1:26 p.m. DupyRail
<andytron434@...>
wrote:
- FWIW, contact Tom, W8JI at CTR Engineering.?? From what I
understand he has tubes F/S that are tested by him to make sure they are
working.
- 73?? Andy?? K9ATX
- On 12/10/2023 12:03 PM, Dave wrote:
- Hello Group, I could use your help!
- Looking to pick up a 3-500ZG replacement for my AL-80B.?? My
choices are:
- RF Parts Company: 3-500ZG (6-month warranty). 250$ (China)
- DX Engineering: Penta Labs RF Vacuum Tube 3-500ZG (no warranty
listed). 300$ (assume China?)
- DX Engineering:? Ameritron 3-500Z Replacement Power Tube (All
products manufactured by Ameritron have a one-year limited warranty) 360$
(assume China?).
- Both vendors have always been reliable for me so my question:
- Is the Ameritron tube worth the additional $$ or is it branding?
- Is the Penta Tube? worth the additional $$
- What would be the best replacement?
- (sorry for writing a novel)
- Thanks in advance!
- 73
- K5AKM - Dave
--
- "Where the Old Soo crossed the New Soo"
- Duplainville, Wisconsin
- Web page:?
- Youtube Channel:?
Mike Fleetwood
Canberra Australia and Sidcup UK.
Worldwide email address
is:?????
mfleetwood@...
|
Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
Bob,
45-50 watts in for 350-400 out
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Jim, I have one of these amps. With low drive from the exciter, the "load" will often end up all the way left/meshed. That's why I asked the op that.
Bob W4JFA?
On Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 11:50 AM Jim VE7RF < jim.thom@...> wrote:
It appears the padder(s) are not being switched in on 40-80-160m.? BUT u have the issue on all bands.? It's as though the load cap isn't even in the circuit, or lousy tank coil coil connections.
-- 73 Nick KC0YKO
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
#8 brass washer over the terminal.
On Monday, December 11, 2023, 7:17 PM, Floyd - K8AC <floydsense@...> wrote: It's been over 40 years ago I believe, but I think the final solution was to wrap a solid wire several turns around the contact where the wire was soldered.? There were sharp points that made it subject to corona discharge.? Mine was fixed a couple of times under warranty and I lived just 30-40 miles from the company so didn't have to ship it.
73, Floyd - K8AC
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
It's been over 40 years ago I believe, but I think the final solution was to wrap a solid wire several turns around the contact where the wire was soldered.? There were sharp points that made it subject to corona discharge.? Mine was fixed a couple of times under warranty and I lived just 30-40 miles from the company so didn't have to ship it.
73, Floyd - K8AC
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
I was told, years ago, after experiencing the same malady in a Yeasu 2100 by a more experienced ham (sic) to never change bands with the amplifier on.? Seemed sorta silly? to me.? I heard later on in my journeys’ down ham’s road, that was only true when changing the band switch to 160. ? I’ve never had a band switch problem, but let me tell you about the T/R relays in an AL-82…….I actually have 4 in my cupboard, just in case.? I have been through 5 already on a 3 year old amplifier.? L? I can even do it now without getting shocked!? J ? Joe – W7RKN From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Floyd - K8AC
Subject: Re: [ham-amplifiers] Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B) ? I had one of the first AL-80s quite a while ago.? It was very good at vaporizing one of the bandswitch contacts when operating on 160.??
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
On 12/11/2023 1:47 PM, Floyd - K8AC wrote: I had one of the first AL-80s quite a while ago.? It was very good at vaporizing one of the bandswitch contacts when operating on 160. So, did they fix the problem, and if so, how?? Heftier contacts or bandswitch? 73, Steve K0XP
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
I had one of the first AL-80s quite a while ago.? It was very good at vaporizing one of the bandswitch contacts when operating on 160.??
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Re: Ameritron AL-80 (Not A or B)
Jim, I have one of these amps. With low drive from the exciter, the "load" will often end up all the way left/meshed. That's why I asked the op that. Bob W4JFA?
On Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 11:50 AM Jim VE7RF < jim.thom@...> wrote: It appears the padder(s) are not being switched in on 40-80-160m.? BUT u have the issue on all bands.? It's as though the load cap isn't even in the circuit, or lousy tank coil coil connections.
|
Mike
Bob
Bill K3HZP
Nick Jones KC0YKO
Floyd - K8AC