[Amps] Henry 2K-2 failure

Mark - N5OT r-emails at n5ot.com
Fri Sep 6 08:47:17 EDT 2024


Greetings.

Today I have a 2K-2 that has developed a problem.  For grins / out of 
curiosity, I thought I would see what I could get out of a pair of used 
Eimac Y-826s that had tested good some years ago.  After I tested them I 
wrapped those tubes up and put them on the shelf waiting for the right 
moment.

The amp ran fine for maybe 2 hours on CW at probably 25-50% duty cycle. 
I was surprised how much drive was needed - really the tubes performed 
no better than the 3-400Zs I took out and set to the side.  Oh well.

When I was doing some additional testing the following happened:

1. The little red breaker popped when I let up on the footswitch.  So it 
happened during a non-key-down moment.  I let up on the footswitch, 
heard the click, amp now did not transmit.  Checked breaker - it was 
popped so I reset it.  Amp now worked again but plate current meter no 
longer works.  Yes, I know I should have protected it.  I am assuming it 
was not protected.  Oh well.

2. Amp transmits just as it did, however, now the tubes glow orange 100% 
of the time, even while idling at key-up.

I am assuming this is not a sustainable condition, something changed or 
broke, and I need to not run it like this.

I am also assuming there are multiple smart guys reading this who know 
from the description above what has happened and can guide me toward 
restoring the amp to operation.

Learning by experience,
73 - Mark N5OT



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