[Amps] Centurion

[Rob Atkinson]

I expect TT used different switches through the production run.  I
searched the CRL on-line "switch-finder" web interface and was unable
to locate anything close to what's in my Centurion which was
manufactured in 2001.  However, the Multi-Tech model 78 is identical,
assuming you select the 20 degree detent, put the stop screws in the
right places, get a single 18 contact pole, and have them assemble the
correct shorting spoke arrangement.   No matter where you get it, it
is not an off the shelf item.  The dimensions are also identical to
the one in mine.  I would not be surprised if TT switched sources
depending on where they could get the best deal.  The 78 looks like a
good switch:  2 KV @ 60 cps, 20 A.  Anyway, good luck--I hope CRL
Electro has what you need.

73

Rob
K5UJ

On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 4:43 PM, Jim W7RY <jimw7ry at gmail.com> wrote:
> It's a Centralab switch. All he needs is the ceramic parts. The front part
> of the switch is fine. The 10 meter contacts burned up. Not sure what the
> circumstances were.
>
> Gary, you may be able to remove the ceramic parts and send it to
> Electro/Centralab and see if they will sell you the replacement parts. I
> think all you need is the wafer itself. The rotor is
> probably ok?
>
> 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Rob Atkinson" <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 7:53 PM
> To: <amps at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Centurion
>
>> I have a Centurion and mine is open now as I am working on it.   I
>> have not focused on the band switch because I have not had to yet
>> (fortunately).  It looks like a PITA to replace.
>>
>> That switch is a custom job consisting of two wafers, one a standard
>> ceramic RF band switch type and the other a PC card material wafer
>> that is attached to a printed circuit board that is mounted on the
>> switch and is used to select the necessary tuned input circuit for a
>> given band.  That's the part that you will probably have to get from
>> Ten Tec, unless you want to disassemble the amp and build it back up
>> so it is functioning, but in a different way (YOUR way).
>>
>> The RF pi output network band switch part, i.e. the ceramic wafer at
>> the rear of the switch is probably a Centralab or Multi-Tech.   It
>> looks like it is 2 inches or a little over 2 inches diameter.
>>
>> It has 18 terminals, so it is 20 degrees, but 6 band positions.  There
>> are two bundles of shorting spokes, and they are separated by 100
>> degrees in both directions.  One bundle consists of 6 shorting spokes
>> 20 degrees apart; the other bundle consists of 2 that are shorted (all
>> 8 bonded to each other) and also 20 degrees apart.
>>
>> You can search for switches here:
>>
>> http://multi-tech-industries.com/rswitches.html
>>
>> http://www.electro-nc.com/rotarysearch.php
>>
>> (Centralab is now Electro.)
>>
>> It's not clear to me what you need--if all you need is the ceramic
>> wafer with the 18 contacts then you may be able to find that on-line
>> somewhere--that's probably the easiest thing to find.   You have to
>> get the switch out and measure it.   The rest of it is odd enough to
>> probably be a custom job.  If you need the Ten Tec built pc card part
>> of the switch, you will probably have to bite the bullet and pay them
>> for it.
>>
>> Or you can study the schematics and manual and figure out what the Ten
>> Tec part switches, and work out a scheme to do that some other way,
>> and use the rotary switch only for the output pi network.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Rob
>> K5UJ
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>
>