[Amps] Harbach Heathkit SB-220 Soft Start Update

[Mark Bitterlich]

If you're worried about turn on, one old trick I've used is to use an external "Soft start" per se. Using two 120 volt 100 watt light bulbs in sockets each one in series with one 220 volt leg. This will of course limit current flow to I=P/E.  The problem of course is finding the right incandescent bulbs these days!  But you get the idea. De wa3jpy 
-------- Original message --------From: Larry Carpenter <aa4vi at outlook.com> Date: 10/9/24  5:45 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: "amps at Contesting.com" <amps at contesting.com> Subject: [Amps] Harbach Heathkit SB-220 Soft Start Update I have had some time to investigate my Harbach Soft Start failure and found some very unusual results. First while the amp was in an idle state I heard and arc saw smoke from the top and side of amp and it powered off. I have checked all the rectifier diodes, filter capacitors and bleeder resistors and found them all in tolerance and no diodes or caps shorted or open.  The Harbach board itself is completely failed. By this I mean both ceramic 20 ohm resistors open and the two 48 vdc spdt relays have open coils, one trace on the Harbach board between the relay and 240 line is burned open and the resistor in series between the two relay coils is open. The bridge rectifier that supplies voltage for the Harbach relays also seems to test open.  I am wondering if I have a shorted 3-500Z or something else. Neither circuit breaker operated and power switch is still functions when tested with an ohm meter. I see about 2.5 ohms of resistance looking at the primary of the power transformer. I a m a little hesitant to apply power even with the tubes out. Has anyone else seen such a catastrophic failure of a Harbach Soft Start module? Thanks, AA4VI_______________________________________________Amps mailing listAmps at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps