15 Apr
2010
15 Apr
'10
2:25 p.m.
dwight elvey wrote:
I have a none destructive method of locating such shorts. It requires
a bench power supply and a good DVM.
You set the supply on a low voltage and current limit at about 2 amps.
Place the outputs of the supply from end to far end of the 12V rail
( not through the short ).
This is a great system Dwight. The only problem I have with it is the
requirement for a five digit DVM, and the fact that after you find the
short, you need to fix it. This can be time-consuming.
My solution uses much the same procedure, except that I use an ARC
welder and connect that up. With all of that current available, I don't
need to diddle around looking for the short -- the short gets vaporized.
So not only will I find the short (by the flash) but the repair is done
at the same time. This procedure never fails and can be a real time-saver.
Barry
p.s. Please note that I'm kidding! I don't post very often but I
really do enjoy reading what you're all working on. I love the old kit
(particularly DEC stuff) and there's always lots to read about here.