[TenTec] Centurion is on the Fritz

[Curt Gamble]

To the TenTec net

I recently bought a Centurion amp from my neighbor here in Cedaredge, 
CO.this summer.  I used it for about a month
when one day in a QSO it quit transmitting.  I had the same situation as 
the current case being discussed.

I finally gave up and sent it into TenTec as my time is limited being a 
caregiver.

Well to make a long story short there was a cold solder joint in the 
3-500 filament wiring around the tube socket area.
If I had a presence of mind I would have looked to see if the tubes were 
lit.

Having built a home brew amp w/pair of 3-500Z amp 40 years ago (160M to 
10) with vacuum relays, Vacuum variable
etc.  I felt kind of embarrassed not to have checked the tubes to see if 
they were lit.

BTW I love the amp working with the Orion II


73,  Curt WØALC


On 10/24/2014 6:55 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> When you lift the cover, there is a HV shorting bar that should short 
> the HV to ground.  Notice I say SHOULD.  Never take anything for 
> granted when working with any product that uses high voltage.   Use a 
> screwdriver with a well insulated handle to short the Cap on the top 
> of the tubes to chassis.
>
> If you've spoken with Gary then take his advice.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richards" <jrichards at k8jhr.com>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 7:29 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Centurion is on the Fritz
>
>
>> Hi Rick -- Thank you for the suggestions.
>>
>> 1)  Your diagnostics mirror those I received from Gary at TT and from 
>> another qualified technician/repairman.  Unfortunately, the amp 
>> failed multiple diagnostics, and a conversation with Gary Green 
>> confirms it requires a trip to TT HQ for a full debriefing.
>>
>> 2)  Contrary to assumption, the amp failed right away.  It failed 
>> after just just few quick exchanges with my relay man in Texas, even 
>> before the second check in.   DARN !
>>
>> 3)   Contrary to assertion, the amp has AMPLE ventilation.   I don't 
>> want anyone to get the impression it was boxed in. Perhaps you do not 
>> recall our previous discussion on this, we worked this over pretty 
>> well some time ago.   The stand you mention has HUGE cut outs (larger 
>> than the vents in the amp cabinet)  and is open on the front and 
>> back.  I added a pair of 120 mm fans to move air around it. There is 
>> a four inch clearance on one side, and 10 inch clearance on the 
>> other, so there is no chance the amp overheated because it is 
>> enclosed. It has better ventilation than if something were stacked 
>> directly on or next to it.   I am sure you just don't recall how hard 
>> I worked to avoid boxing it in as it has been some time since then.
>>
>>
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR QUICK AND HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS -  All of which 
>> confirm it is, as Rick correctly states, outside my expertise.  I 
>> appreciate all the suggested diagnostics which could be done with a 
>> closed cabinet as I am surely disqualified from doing anything 
>> inside, especially when it is powered on.
>>
>>
>> MY ONLY REMAINING QUESTION IS...   Is there anything inside that can 
>> give me a jolt (like a capacitor that needs to be discharged) while I 
>> remove the tubes for shipping ?  I would hate to discover that by 
>> surprise.
>>
>>
>> Thanks again...  it all helped to confirm it requires a qualified 
>> technician to fix.
>>
>> Happy days.
>> --------------------------  JHR  ---------------------------
>>
>>
>>
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>
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