Thanks to Pete (N4ZR), Carl (KM1H), Jordan, and Rich (AG6K) for
replying to my message. I opened the amp up last night, and found
several of the tuning capacitor plates pitted and/or melted. Four of
the plates have minor pitting, while three of the plates are actually
deformed (melted) at the edges where the plates start to mesh. I
guess I will try the filing method, or maybe see if Tentec would sell
replacement plates.
TNX, Denis, W4DC
______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________
Subject: ARCING
Author: CATALANO_DENIS_E at P-CLA_1
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Date: 4/14/98 8:30 AM
Greetings. I have a TENTEC Centurion (pair of 3-500Z) that has worked
great for several years. Used it this weekend to work the H40 on
RTTY. Although I worked the H40, the amp started arcing (because of
operator error/wrong antenna/you name it!). Anyway, now when I drive
the amp to full power with correct load, it arcs - all bands. It
looks like the arcing is in the big tuning capacitor. It sounds like
a spark-gap transmitter. It does it whenever I drive it over 400W. I
haven't opened it up yet, so want to get some ideas of what to look
for, and possible repair ideas.
TNX & 73 Denis, W4DC
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