[Amps] Clipperton-L question

[Carl]

Just as I suspected Larry, its very common.

That is a standard Centralab switch so finding a suitable wafer shouldnt be 
too hard on fleabay, hamfests, etc.
As long as the replacement has 2 positions all the others can be ignored. 
Get some GC or similar HV Corona dope and brush on the suspet metal areas; 
theat stuff has a 30KV rating.

Hard wiring for SSB only is a bad idea for 2 reasons.

1. Much higher surge current

2. Easier to destroy tubes and other parts during tuning.

Always power on and tune in CW. Switching to SSB doesnt require retuning.

Carl
KM1H




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry" <lknain at nc.rr.com>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Clipperton-L question


>I looked at the switch this morning in the amp (it's at the top of the 
>front panel). With a mirror I spotted on the bottom side of the switch 
>where it arced from some part of the switch contact to the switch shaft. 
>The arc point is not visible from the top of the switch. The switch still 
>rotates but I suspect the contact is so lose to the shaft that it just arcs 
>with power. I won't know more until I take the switch out. I am not sure I 
>will ever know why all of a sudden it arced over but at least I know what 
>it is. There are no wires in the area.
>
> I suspect the switch is a lost cause. Finding a new one should be 
> interesting. A number of responses would suggest just bypassing the switch 
> and just connect the SSB lead and just tie off the CW tap wire which could 
> at least be an interim solution if not permanent.
>
> I hope the switch is the only problem.
>
> Thanks to all who took time to respond.
>
> 73, Larry  W6NWS
>
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Ron Youvan
> Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 9:30 AM
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Clipperton-L question
>
> On 09/11/2013 02:58 PM, Carl wrote:
>
>> Id check the SSB/CW switch carefully for arcing to a metal part. Common
>> problem with an underrated switch.
>>
>>
>> "Larry" <lknain at nc.rr.com> wrote:
>>
>>> One day when I switched from CW to SSB mode on my Clipperton-L it blew
>>> the fuse with a good bang. The switch picks between a tap and one side
>>> of the power transformer secondary – tap being for CW.
>
>   I would take the switch out and put a "wire nut" on one transformer
> connection sealing it off and make the other connection with another
> "wire nut" and test.  Then I would switch to the other transformer
> connection and test, if both work the switch is arcing.
> -- 
>   Ron  KA4INM - Youvan's corollary:
>                 Every action results in unwanted side effects.
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