I've finally received a new capacitor (it took quite some time) and replace
the old one. All is OK now. It ended up being a simple repair but without
help from this group to identify the problem I'm not certain that I would
have succeeded.
Again, thanks to all that helped.
Normand
On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Normand Fisher <icipasla at gmail.com> wrote:
*Many thanks,
I found a leaking capacitor just as you have described. I've ordered new ones and
will soon be able to replace it.
I'll let you know if that fixes the problem (It should!).**
Normand
*>* Old DEC Power Control 861C Hi,
*>*
*>* looks like I am not getting the posting in my e-mail but my messages do get
*>* posted.
*
This issue came up a few months back. Apparently gmail filters the
replies to your own messages somewhere (and not to somewhere sensible!).
Perhaps somebody else can rememebr the details.
*
*>* I found this replyto my previous
message by Tony Duell
*>*
<cctalk%40classiccmp.org?Subject=Re%3A%20Old%20DEC%20Power%20Control%20861C&In-Reply-To=%3Cm1NM4jS-000J3uC%40p850ug1%3E>in
*>* the archives.
*>*
*>* To follow-up, the 861C emits a crackling noise for the first few seconds (20
*>* or so) and then I can hear a relay chattering (very noisy!).
*>*
*>* Also the light on the front panel is flashing continuously (maybe that's
*>* normal.)
*
old DEC neons tend to flicker randomly (and it's truely random).
The basic design is for the mains :
Mains in--->filter --->Breaker-+--->Unswitched outs
|
+--->Contactor (big relay)-> Switched outs
The contactor is controlled (in the 861) by a reed relay on the little
PCB inside. This has a differentially-wound coil to give the 'ground for
on' and 'ground for off' functionality on the 3 pin connector. The reed
relay coil is powered by a little transformer/rectifier/capacitor
circuit, mostly on the PCB.
My first suspicioun is that capacitor. Open it up and look for any
electrolytics on the PCB inside.
-tony