[TenTec] FYI Orion problem fix

[Roy]

In a message dated 1/15/2008 7:54:09 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, 
royanjoy at ncn.net writes:
  Screen went dark, panel indicators and meter lamps went very dim and
  receiver went dead. Had bottom cover off, exposing the power distribution
  board. Phoned T-T fast 'cause it was almost closing time. Paul immediately
  said he'd ship two caps for the distribution board, C6 & C7. They arrived
  4-days later, over the weekend, and my three year old O was running on the
  fourth day. No charge. Thanks, (St.) Paul.

  73,   Roy   K6XK


Roy;

Am curious to know what they shipped for C6, voltage-wise. This has been a 
systemic problem that virtually will affect every Orion II made. There have 
been probably 50 folks here that have had the problem and countless others 
that have not been vocal about it.

Basically, C6 is undersized and and T-T has their head in the sand about the 
problem and go out of their way not to admit a design/component selection 
deficiency. They ship you new caps and you're happy with them. No problem, 
right? NO.

You need at least a 25v cap there, not the 16v unit they had originally. I 
put a 35v cap in mine.

If you run the radio any degree of time at all, and they had you replace the 
16v unit with another 16v unit, you'll have another failure within 18 
months.

Just trying to save you future grief. C7 isnt stressed nearly as much, so no 
big concern there.


73, Bob K8IA


Hi Bob,

I didn't know the extent of the problem. And I do run the rig everyday, most 
of the day. The replacement caps are physically bigger by 30-percent, with 
the same lead spacing. They are rated 35 volts. Seems like T-T is trying to 
address the situation. Thanks.

73,   Roy   K6XK/0