[TenTec] Orion A9 board Capacitor failure.

[Randy Hargenrader]

Guys,

I came into the hamshack/office to start my day and found my Orion out 
of commission.  The screen was dark and the ALC light was very slightly 
lit.  When I cycled the power switch, I would get the usual double click 
of relays but the screen would actually turn darker than when it was off 
and the ALC light was faintly lit.  The analog meter light would not 
come on as well.

Assuming it was a power problem, I took off the bottom panel and 
inspected the A9 Power Distribution Board.  C6 was noticeably stressed 
with top protruding a bit in a classic electrolytic failure mode.  It is 
a 470 uF 16 volt electrolytic - replaced it with a 470uF 25 volt one I 
had in the bin.  Upon power up, the Orion came up as normal and with the 
last settings I remember from the previous day. 

It occurred to me that the display back light seemed to be getting 
darker over the last week, but I didn't think anything of it until the 
hard failure.

It is an easy repair and it took longer to get the cover off than to 
diagnose and fix the problem.  Hope this helps someone...

73,
Randy
K4QO