[TenTec] Planetary reduction drive on Titan

[Ken Brown]

Hi all,

I have a Titan 425 amplifier. Both the Tune and Load air variables have 
planetary ball reduction drives on them. The drive on the  Load 
capacitor (which has the polyethyene sheets between the plates) is 
slipping. I intend to replace the planetary drive as soon as I figure 
out how to get one from Ten-Tec. I expect that to solve the problem, 
however I am concerned that it will only be a temporary fix, because the 
torque required to rotate the load capacitor is significantly higher 
than typical air variables, due to the friction of the rubbing polythene 
(equal time for UK readers) sheets. The torque needed to rotate the 
shaft is noticably greater as the plates are more completely meshed. So 
I suspect that the planetary drive has suffered through an abnormally 
stressful life, causing is early demise. And a replacement drive will 
have a similar fate. What are the options? Is there a better way to get 
the necessary capacitance and voltage rating? Another air variable that 
does not have the polyethylene sheets? A heavier duty planetary drive? 
Delete the planetary drive and have knob rotation to capacitor shaft 
rotation ratio = 1:1?

Thanks for any help,

Ken N6KB