IC-28A transmit section carnage

D

David Brodbeck

Guest
I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive. Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit. (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot. Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked. C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.

The schematic shows Q17 as a 2SA1359 PNP transistor. The emitter is
connected directly to the 13.5 volt power input, right after the
reverse-polarity protection diode. C54 is between the collector of Q17
and ground. I'm leaning toward the theory that C54 shorted and caused
excessive current in Q17, but I don't know these radios well enough to
know if that makes sense, or if I'm seeing the results of a more serious
failure elsewhere (like a bad PA module.) It's a bit hard to suss out
what Q17 does precisely because no pinout is provided for the PA module.
Anyone have more experience with this rig?
 
"David Brodbeck" <gull@gull.us> wrote in message
news:3pydnR0nxLmXlnvWnZ2dnUVZ_u6dnZ2d@speakeasy.net...
I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive. Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit. (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot. Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked. C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.
<cut>
_________________

Service manual is here if you need it:-
http://www.mods.dk/manual.php?brand=icom

Colin
 
"David Brodbeck"

I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only worked
on receive. Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but there's almost
no power output on transmit. (The needle on my power meter moves, but
almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot. Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked. C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.

The schematic shows Q17 as a 2SA1359 PNP transistor. The emitter is
connected directly to the 13.5 volt power input, right after the
reverse-polarity protection diode. C54 is between the collector of Q17 and
ground. I'm leaning toward the theory that C54 shorted and caused
excessive current in Q17, but I don't know these radios well enough to
know if that makes sense, or if I'm seeing the results of a more serious
failure elsewhere (like a bad PA module.) It's a bit hard to suss out
what Q17 does precisely because no pinout is provided for the PA module.
Click to expand...

** The service manual is here:

http://www.radioamateur.eu/schemi/IC28_serv_WA0KKE.pdf

Q17 switches the output level from the RF power amplifier module SC1019 ( a
custom Icom part ) from 5 watts to 25 watts. Almost any low voltage, general
purpose PNP transistor in the same pack & capable of a few amps current will
do to replace Q17 - eg BD436 / 438.

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BD/BD434.pdf

http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components2/Datasheet_Sync//66/7578.pdf

If the failed electro really was the cause of Q17 failing, then the unit
should work after replacing it and Q17.

However, if Q17 still overheats then suspect the SC1019 module is blown.



.... Phil
 
Colin Horsley wrote:
"David Brodbeck" <gull@gull.us> wrote in message
news:3pydnR0nxLmXlnvWnZ2dnUVZ_u6dnZ2d@speakeasy.net...
I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive. Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit. (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot. Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked. C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.
cut
_________________

Service manual is here if you need it:-
http://www.mods.dk/manual.php?brand=icom
Click to expand...
Thanks, Colin. I did find that, and it's been very helpful. I also
realized the block diagram had transistor numbers in it, which tells me
that Q17 is part of the automatic power control circuit, which would
explain the lack of power output.

I may just go ahead and change C54 and Q17 and see what happens.
 
On Sat, 08 May 2010 18:08:25 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive. Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit. (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot. Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked. C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.

The schematic shows Q17 as a 2SA1359 PNP transistor. The emitter is
connected directly to the 13.5 volt power input, right after the
reverse-polarity protection diode. C54 is between the collector of Q17
and ground. I'm leaning toward the theory that C54 shorted and caused
excessive current in Q17, but I don't know these radios well enough to
know if that makes sense, or if I'm seeing the results of a more serious
failure elsewhere (like a bad PA module.) It's a bit hard to suss out
what Q17 does precisely because no pinout is provided for the PA module.
Anyone have more experience with this rig?
Click to expand...
Q17 is the APC control tethered directly to the PA IC-6 /SC-1019/
(SC-1022 in 45 watt models). Q-17 is controlled by the APC amp (IC-7 and
Q-18). APC amp circuit gets its drive from the phase detector a pair of
1SS97 diodes (D12,D13) which one I don't know. The other 1SS97 drives the
RF-Indicator amp.

The pinout of the SC-1019 PA amp if you look at it from the front with
the 4 pins down is, input, V1, V2, output. The heatsink tabs are ground.

Your reverse polarity idea is plausible. I've worked on a lot of amateur
and profession mobile equipment and have seen them reversed.

The 28a was one of the first rigs I talked on many years ago. I've had
many different since then now settled on an Icom 706 MkIIG
 
On May 8, 9:34 pm, "Phil Allison" <phi...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
If the failed electro really was the cause of Q17 failing, then the unit
should work after replacing it and Q17.

However, if Q17 still overheats then suspect the SC1019 module is blown.

...  Phil
Click to expand...
Thanks, Phil. That's also the conclusion I've come to, so it's nice
to get a bit of a sanity check that I'm not overlooking something
obvious. :)

Right now I'm working under the theory that the SC1019 module is OK,
because I otherwise can't explain why C54 would be burned to a crisp.
A bad PA module could cause excessive current through Q17 but it
shouldn't have affected that capacitor.

I'll let you know what happens when I put it back together.
 
On May 10, 9:53 am, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Sat, 08 May 2010 18:08:25 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:
I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive.  Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit.  (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot.  Q17 has overheated so badly the case is
charred and cracked.  C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a matching
smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.

The schematic shows Q17 as a 2SA1359 PNP transistor.  The emitter is
connected directly to the 13.5 volt power input, right after the
reverse-polarity protection diode. C54 is between the collector of Q17
and ground.  I'm leaning toward the theory that C54 shorted and caused
excessive current in Q17, but I don't know these radios well enough to
know if that makes sense, or if I'm seeing the results of a more serious
failure elsewhere (like a bad PA module.)  It's a bit hard to suss out
what Q17 does precisely because no pinout is provided for the PA module..
  Anyone have more experience with this rig?

Q17 is the APC control tethered directly to the PA IC-6 /SC-1019/
(SC-1022 in 45 watt models). Q-17 is controlled by the APC amp (IC-7 and
Q-18). APC amp circuit gets its drive from the phase detector a pair of
1SS97 diodes (D12,D13) which one I don't know. The other 1SS97 drives the
RF-Indicator amp.

The pinout of the SC-1019 PA amp if you look at it from the front with
the 4 pins down is, input, V1, V2, output. The heatsink tabs are ground.

Your reverse polarity idea is plausible. I've worked on a lot of amateur
and profession mobile equipment and have seen them reversed.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the circuit rundown. I followed along on the block diagram
and it's a lot clearer to me now.

I don't actually think it was reverse polarity, because there's a
large polarity-protection diode that should have caused the input fuse
to blow before any damage could be done. (Hmm, maybe I should check
that diode and make sure it's not open, though...)

My current working theory is that C54 developed an internal short
(maybe due to age) and cause excessive current in Q17. Seems like
it's pretty much got to be that or a bad PA module, and a bad PA
wouldn't explain why C54 burned. I've never seen a capacitor so
thoroughly immolated. It left a big smoke spot on the inside of the
case, and it just fell apart when I poked at it with a screwdriver.
 
"David Brodbeck"


My current working theory is that C54 developed an internal short
(maybe due to age) and cause excessive current in Q17. Seems like
it's pretty much got to be that or a bad PA module, and a bad PA
wouldn't explain why C54 burned. I've never seen a capacitor so
thoroughly immolated. It left a big smoke spot on the inside of the
case, and it just fell apart when I poked at it with a screwdriver.

** Is C54 actually a * tantalum* bead cap ????

If so, no special explanation is needed for its fiery demise.




.... Phil
 
On Mon, 10 May 2010 10:46:24 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 9:53 am, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Sat, 08 May 2010 18:08:25 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:
I have an Icom IC-28A I picked up cheap, with a warning that it only
worked on receive.  Sure enough, the receiver works brilliantly but
there's almost no power output on transmit.  (The needle on my power
meter moves, but almost imperceptibly; we're talking milliwatts
here.)

The damage wasn't hard to spot.  Q17 has overheated so badly the case
is charred and cracked.  C54 is burned beyond recognition, with a
matching smoke spot on the inside of the top cover.

The schematic shows Q17 as a 2SA1359 PNP transistor.  The emitter is
connected directly to the 13.5 volt power input, right after the
reverse-polarity protection diode. C54 is between the collector of
Q17 and ground.  I'm leaning toward the theory that C54 shorted and
caused excessive current in Q17, but I don't know these radios well
enough to know if that makes sense, or if I'm seeing the results of a
more serious failure elsewhere (like a bad PA module.)  It's a bit
hard to suss out what Q17 does precisely because no pinout is
provided for the PA module.
  Anyone have more experience with this rig?

Q17 is the APC control tethered directly to the PA IC-6 /SC-1019/
(SC-1022 in 45 watt models). Q-17 is controlled by the APC amp (IC-7
and Q-18). APC amp circuit gets its drive from the phase detector a
pair of 1SS97 diodes (D12,D13) which one I don't know. The other 1SS97
drives the RF-Indicator amp.

The pinout of the SC-1019 PA amp if you look at it from the front with
the 4 pins down is, input, V1, V2, output. The heatsink tabs are
ground.

Your reverse polarity idea is plausible. I've worked on a lot of
amateur and profession mobile equipment and have seen them reversed.

Thanks for the circuit rundown. I followed along on the block diagram
and it's a lot clearer to me now.

I don't actually think it was reverse polarity, because there's a large
polarity-protection diode that should have caused the input fuse to blow
before any damage could be done. (Hmm, maybe I should check that diode
and make sure it's not open, though...)

My current working theory is that C54 developed an internal short (maybe
due to age) and cause excessive current in Q17. Seems like it's pretty
much got to be that or a bad PA module, and a bad PA wouldn't explain
why C54 burned. I've never seen a capacitor so thoroughly immolated.
It left a big smoke spot on the inside of the case, and it just fell
apart when I poked at it with a screwdriver.
Click to expand...
Yeah C54 destroying like that is a bit of an enigma. Check the crowbar
diode. Some people like to do stupid things when they blow a fuse like
wrap it in foil or replace it with a 20 amp. The radio could have been
powered up without a proper fuse and unattended when the failure
occurred. That would have caused a cascading catastrophic failure.
I've seen this happen so many times I've lost faith in my fellow hams. :(
 
On Mon, 10 May 2010 10:41:35 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 8, 9:34 pm, "Phil Allison" <phi...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
If the failed electro really was the cause of Q17 failing, then the
unit should work after replacing it and Q17.

However, if Q17 still overheats then suspect the SC1019 module is
blown.

...  Phil

Thanks, Phil. That's also the conclusion I've come to, so it's nice to
get a bit of a sanity check that I'm not overlooking something obvious.
:)

Right now I'm working under the theory that the SC1019 module is OK,
because I otherwise can't explain why C54 would be burned to a crisp. A
bad PA module could cause excessive current through Q17 but it shouldn't
have affected that capacitor.

I'll let you know what happens when I put it back together.
Click to expand...
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I can
dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy
 
On May 10, 6:59 pm, "Phil Allison" <phi...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
**  Is C54 actually a * tantalum*  bead cap  ????

 If so, no special explanation is needed for its fiery demise.
Click to expand...
Could be. It's 10 uF, polarized, which could be either. It was too
badly charred to tell what it used to be, but I didn't find the
remains of an electrolytic can rattling around in the case, so a
tantalum does seem likely.
 
On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I can
dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy
Click to expand...
Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one with
a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power transmit
testing.
 
"David Brodbeck"

"Phil Allison"
** Is C54 actually a * tantalum* bead cap ????

If so, no special explanation is needed for its fiery demise.
Click to expand...
Could be. It's 10 uF, polarized, which could be either. It was too
badly charred to tell what it used to be, but I didn't find the
remains of an electrolytic can rattling around in the case, so a
tantalum does seem likely.


** FYI - tantalum bead caps look like this:

http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture97/suntanbe/product1.jpg

They are known to catch fire and emit smoke and bits of the tantalum oxide
"slug" for no good reason.

If you found a "can" then the cap is an ordinary electro that overheated,
the electrolyte boiled and burst the seal.



.... Phil
 
On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com>
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I
can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one with a
fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power transmit
testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is nothing
like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.
Click to expand...
Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user programmed
setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power supply will shutdown
its output completely, instead of just dumping continuous current to
whatever the current is set to.
I have an Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new
you can pick 'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300
for mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-Search%20Results.Overview
 
On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I
can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one with a
fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power transmit
testing.
Click to expand...
That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is nothing
like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.
 
On Thu, 13 May 2010 09:08:10 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I
can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one with
a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power transmit
testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is nothing
like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.

Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user
programmed setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power supply
will shutdown its output completely, instead of just dumping continuous
current to whatever the current is set to.
I have an Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new you can
pick 'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300 for
mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?
id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-
Click to expand...
Search%20Results.Overview

That's great if you know within a decent tolerance how much current what
you are working on draws at inrush or at an idle.
 
On Thu, 13 May 2010 13:42:04 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com>
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.13.41.59@gmail.com>:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 09:08:10 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that I
can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one with
a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power transmit
testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is nothing
like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.

Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user
programmed setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power supply
will shutdown its output completely, instead of just dumping continuous
current to whatever the current is set to.
I have an Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new you can
pick 'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300 for
mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?
id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-
Search%20Results.Overview

That's great if you know within a decent tolerance how much current what
you are working on draws at inrush or at an idle.
Click to expand...
True. Start low and work your way up. :)
 
On Fri, 14 May 2010 05:11:56 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 13:42:04 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.13.41.59@gmail.com>:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 09:08:10 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that
I can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one
with a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power
transmit testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is
nothing like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.

Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user
programmed setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power
supply will shutdown its output completely, instead of just dumping
continuous current to whatever the current is set to. I have an
Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new you can pick
'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300 for
mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?
id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-
Search%20Results.Overview

That's great if you know within a decent tolerance how much current what
you are working on draws at inrush or at an idle.

True. Start low and work your way up. :)
Click to expand...
And put your nose close to it and inhale. I do a lot of troubleshoot with
my senses. After 30 some years I can distinguish just what's hot or
burning, smell ozone from HV, hear things snap crackle pop etc...
 
On Fri, 14 May 2010 16:02:23 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com>
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.14.16.02.21@gmail.com>:

On Fri, 14 May 2010 05:11:56 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 13:42:04 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.13.41.59@gmail.com>:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 09:08:10 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply that
I can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one
with a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power
transmit testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is
nothing like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.

Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user
programmed setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power
supply will shutdown its output completely, instead of just dumping
continuous current to whatever the current is set to. I have an
Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new you can pick
'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300 for
mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?
id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-
Search%20Results.Overview

That's great if you know within a decent tolerance how much current what
you are working on draws at inrush or at an idle.

True. Start low and work your way up. :)

And put your nose close to it and inhale. I do a lot of troubleshoot with
my senses. After 30 some years I can distinguish just what's hot or
burning, smell ozone from HV, hear things snap crackle pop etc...
Click to expand...
Also a good tip, but when doing so I wear safety glasses. I've had a few
things go critical mass just as I lowered my nose for a sniff! Gotta love
those - practically fell out of my seat.
 
On Mon, 17 May 2010 05:30:57 -0400, JW wrote:

On Fri, 14 May 2010 16:02:23 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.14.16.02.21@gmail.com>:

On Fri, 14 May 2010 05:11:56 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 13:42:04 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow <mhywatt@yahoo.com
wrote in Message id: <pan.2010.05.13.13.41.59@gmail.com>:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 09:08:10 -0400, JW wrote:

On Thu, 13 May 2010 12:51:27 +0000 (UTC) Meat Plow
mhywatt@yahoo.com> wrote in Message id:
pan.2010.05.13.12.51.27@gmail.com>:

On Tue, 11 May 2010 12:05:53 -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:

On May 10, 7:33 pm, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If you have some way to limit current, use it. I have a supply
that I can dial in from 0 to 35 amps and it comes in real handy

Will do. I don't have a variable-limit supply, but I do have one
with a fixed 1.5A limit that I plan to use for initial low power
transmit testing.

That will help you not fry some of the bigger stuff but there is
nothing like a 0 to 15 volt, 0 to 35 amp supply with volt/ammeter.

Even better if it has OCP. If the current drain reaches a user
programmed setting (IE those BJTs are about to blow!), the power
supply will shutdown its output completely, instead of just dumping
continuous current to whatever the current is set to. I have an
Agilent 6643A which does this. While they cost $3K new you can pick
'em up for a 10% of that on Ebay. I paid just a bit over $300 for
mine.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?
id=839301&pageMode=OV&pid=839301&lc=eng&ct=PRODUCT&cc=US&pselect=SR.PM-
Search%20Results.Overview

That's great if you know within a decent tolerance how much current
what you are working on draws at inrush or at an idle.

True. Start low and work your way up. :)

And put your nose close to it and inhale. I do a lot of troubleshoot
with my senses. After 30 some years I can distinguish just what's hot or
burning, smell ozone from HV, hear things snap crackle pop etc...

Also a good tip, but when doing so I wear safety glasses. I've had a few
things go critical mass just as I lowered my nose for a sniff! Gotta
love those - practically fell out of my seat.
Click to expand...
How true :) I've had my fair share of electrolytic out-gassing up the
nose. Never had anything with the potential to injure blow up in my face.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top