Hi,
Mine is one of the older 425's (purchased from AES when they were
still dealers, I think it's at least 15 years old)...
Both the load and plate knobs still turn with no noticeable binding or
looseness.
My P.S. caps are still the originals. I have had a relay in the power
supply replaced and replaced the small power supply diodes with the
larger ones as in the later model 425's. Oh, and the meter bulbs have
been replaced as well as the operate LED.
Still using the original tubes...
I would be surprised if anything is actually worn out, I agree that it
is probably just old stiff grease...
Good luck,
George / KF9YR
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom A
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 6:09 PM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Planetary reduction drive on Titan
As an owner of a Titan 425 I'm sure interested in your post. Mine was
one
of the last one's made. I have not noticed much drag on mine (YET!). I
don't want to look forward to something else failing on this beautiful
amp.
(I will post P.S. cap failure notice shortly)
Are you sure the drag is due to the plastic sheets?
I don't know type of coupling there is between the drive and the
capacitor
shaft. Solid straight ones sometimes bind...flexible is better.
In the past I've loosed the tension nut at the rear of a cap to make it
rotate freely (but would not advise that at the 1.5KW level)
Spraying silicone lubricant might invite flashover. Don't know what
dielectric properties silicone has.
Me? If mine failed (and if you don't tell me how you solved your
problem)
I'd wedge a sheet metal screw in the balls (if they are exposed) and use
it
1:1. I find it faster to set my pre-calculated band settings using 1:1
and
the vernier drive actually slows my band changing down.
Let us know if you find a solution.
Tom K2TA
tom@k2ta.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown@verizon.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 6:34 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Planetary reduction drive on Titan
> Hi all,
>
> I have a Titan 425 amplifier. Both the Tune and Load air variables
have
> planetary ball reduction drives on them. The drive on the Load
> capacitor (which has the polyethyene sheets between the plates) is
> slipping. I intend to replace the planetary drive as soon as I figure
> out how to get one from Ten-Tec. I expect that to solve the problem,
> however I am concerned that it will only be a temporary fix, because
the
> torque required to rotate the load capacitor is significantly higher
> than typical air variables, due to the friction of the rubbing
polythene
> (equal time for UK readers) sheets. The torque needed to rotate the
> shaft is noticably greater as the plates are more completely meshed.
So
> I suspect that the planetary drive has suffered through an abnormally
> stressful life, causing is early demise. And a replacement drive will
> have a similar fate. What are the options? Is there a better way to
get
> the necessary capacitance and voltage rating? Another air variable
that
> does not have the polyethylene sheets? A heavier duty planetary drive?
> Delete the planetary drive and have knob rotation to capacitor shaft
> rotation ratio = 1:1?
>
> Thanks for any help,
>
> Ken N6KB
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
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