[TenTec] RIT/XIT Status

[John T. Fleming]

I spoke with Ten-Tec this morning.  We agree the "B" ribbon cable is not the
problem.  Otherwise the encoder on the remote POD would not work.

 

If you download the Orion V2 Logic Mod,
http://rfsquared.com/file_download/22, you will see on page 6 a long set of
pins that connect the front panel keypad board to the logic board.  Looking
at the top picture on page 6, it is the long set of pins on the right hand
side next to the "B" ribbon cable connector that are suspect.  We suspect
that either the pins are not all level when plugging into the connector or
the connector has a bad female connections.  The pin length would be an
obvious item since it would be easy to see and catch in quality control.
When the ribbon cable is flexed, the connection is completed.  I suspect the
connector.  Ten-Tec told me that they have had about 15 reports of the
problem.  I suspect a possible bad batch of connectors.

 

Later today when it is to warm to enjoy the outside Florida temperature, I
am going to follow the V2 Logic Mod directions and remove the display panel
and logic board.  I am going to check the pins as well as examine the
connector closely.  Before I disassemble the unit, I am going to slightly
flex the logic board to see if it makes the control intermittent.  If it
does not become intermittent, I am going to flex the subassembly board that
the encoders are mounted on.  That may be why pulling on the knob fixed the
problem for some people.  I will report what I find.

 

One thought was to jumper from the encoder board to the logic board.  That
is not possible because of the resistors and capacitors that are mounted on
the keypad board.  If you look at the Orion schematics, folder A8,
81913.PDF, you will see the parts.  The RIT/XIT is ENC6A and ENC6B.

 

73,

John