[Amps] Clipperton-L question

[Alek Petkovic]

A little vacuum relay to take the HV isn't hard to do.

A little 24V dcplug pack (wall wart) supply would be easy to cannibalise 
and fit inside the cabinet to operate the relay. (Ebay item 310743446311)

You could probably clean your existing switch and still use it to switch 
the dc volts to the relay.

73, Alek
VK6APK

On 12/09/2013 10:21 PM, Larry wrote:
> 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.

-- 
http://www.qrz.com/db/vk6apk
http://www.qrz.com/db/vk6ap

Family Businesses:
Petkovic Air&  Gas.  petkovicag at bigpond.com
SP Electrical. www.spelectrical.net.au
Hampers by Hand. www.facebook.com/hampersbyhand