[Amps] Amps Digest, Vol 37, Issue 46

[Joe Musto]

Bill,

I just replaced my relay and discovered something interesting that you 
should check.  On the pivot side of the relay, there is a screw.  If you 
loosen the screw, you can adjust the angle of the moving contacts and also 
adjust the centering between the N/C and N/O contacts.  My old relay was 
skewed a bit but I didn't notice it until I had it removed.  The skewing 
was causing one N/C contact to barely touch when the relay was not 
energized.  This could have been part of my original problem.  So if 
cleaning the contacts doesn't help, check the adjustment of the 
contacts.  You will have to remove the relay to get at it unfortunately but 
you may not have to unsolder all the wires.

Joe - N1FCJ

At 12:00 PM 1/13/2006, you wrote:
>Message: 4
>Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 06:05:13 -0600
>From: "Robert Chudek" <k0rc at citlink.net>
>Subject: Re: [Amps] AL-80A Relay troubles
>To: <amps at contesting.com>
>Message-ID: <01fd01c61839$9c30bc80$6600a8c0 at gx400B>
>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>         reply-type=original
>
>Burnishing contacts with a business card, or any paper, can make matters
>worse! In most cases you will leave a film of containments on the contacts
>which will act as insulation. If you can't find a burnishing tool, buy some
>crocus cloth (it's finer than emery cloth).
>
>73 de Bob - K0RC
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Bill Coleman" <aa4lr at arrl.net>
>To: "Joe Musto" <joe at jtme.com>
>Cc: <amps at contesting.com>
>Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 8:25 PM
>Subject: Re: [Amps] AL-80A Relay troubles
>
>
> >
> > On Jan 12, 2006, at 8:03 AM, Joe Musto wrote:
> >
> >> I own a used AL-80A and I haven't had it long but it had the same
> >> problem
> >> when I got it.  When I unkey, the receive would be down quite a  bit,
> >> which
> >> means the relay contacts are dirty.  I tried a burnishing toll to  no
> >> avail
> >> so I finally took super fine emery cloth (800 grit I think?) and cut a
> >> piece 3/16" x 2" and polished the contacts.  It has worked fine
> >> since.  I did this as a temporary measure and ordered a new relay.  It
> >> was
> >> $15 from Ameritron.  If you order, call their parts dept.  The relay is
> >> $15 via
> >> phone order but $35 if you order from their website.  Not sure why the
> >> difference.
> >
> > Thanks, Joe. I'll try the burnishing with a business card trick
> > first, and then consider replacement.
> >
> > I looked hard on the Ameritron site, but I was not able to find any
> > quotes for the changeover relay. I'll look again.
> >
> > Good to know about the prices.
> >
> >
> > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
> > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
> >             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
> >
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