Thread: Sending power into rig unused for 30 years : Precautions ?
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Old August 23rd 08, 10:35 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.homebrew
JC Morrice JC Morrice is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Default Sending power into rig unused for 30 years : Precautions ?
In article
s.com, writes

A couple of disclaimers first:

a) I know diddly/squat about Ham equipment. I am not a Ham.
b) I have been noodling about with vintage equipment, tube & solid-
state for now over 30 years, so I am familiar with the species. What I
write below is a generic approach to (re)starting vintage equipment
after some years at idle.

....snip...
sounds good

Just to add. In the days when boat anchor stuff was the normal gear,
when items had been on the shelf in storage for long periods, the
electrolytics were not so good then as now

Switch on procedure from storage was:

1. Expect the odd "phut and horrible smell." It *will* happen at some
time.

2. Switch on for a few seconds and then off - allows the
electrolytic barrier in the capacitor to start to re-form - the number
of seconds for certain equipment was specified - otherwise about 5
seconds for the first time.

3. Switch off for about 60 minutes.

4. Switch on for 10 secs and then off for 30 mins.

5 Switch on for 30 secs and then off for 30 mins.

6. On for 30 sec off for 10 mins.

7. On for 60 sec off for 5 mins.

8. And so on....

These were valuable equipments and the manufacturer normally laid down a
procedure. The whole idea being to re-form the electrolytic capacitors
and to give other problems time to cool down for inspection and
detection/rectification.

The alternative was just to switch on and then stand back from the bench
with your fingers in your ears and a handkerchief over your nose

John
--
JC Morrice

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