I have an Ameritron AL-84 that needs an overhaul or rebuild new caps ETC. Where is a good place other than Ameritron to send this amplifier for its repair? I am also looking for some older tubes I need 4 matched 6MJ6 or 4 matched 6LQ6 I have found some on EBAY but I was thinking of asking for more possible places to get them in case I would miss out on the ones I found.
-
You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
WHERE TO SEND AN OLDER AMERITRON FOR REPAIR
- Thread starter TonyV225
- Start date
You and me both three of them in my case (six to have spare set). Hopefully the nine I have now will match up when I take them to be tested.
I had this amplifier since 1997 or 1998 and I had put it away for along time the forgot about it I put it away in 2001 or 2002 and actually stumbled accross it in a closet in 2007 and brought it out and hooked it up.
It actually was working but I seen the Capacitors were bad because the more I talked on it on SSB I could see the output start climbing higher and higher oneday I turned it on and it sounded like eggs frying but didnt quite smell that delicios so I intstantly shut it down and I sent it to a friends and he was supposed to rebuild the boards and his health too a turn south so he had it for over 2 years and it just sat he said he opened it and seen the power supply was all good but 2 caps looke rough.
I now just today got it back he dropped it off and I want to get it up and running for the Kids to use on there bench and I would love to fire it up again myself it has the 10 meter expansion and Ide like to try it out on 80 meters and it has 160 meters so possibly there aswell.
It actually was working but I seen the Capacitors were bad because the more I talked on it on SSB I could see the output start climbing higher and higher oneday I turned it on and it sounded like eggs frying but didnt quite smell that delicios so I intstantly shut it down and I sent it to a friends and he was supposed to rebuild the boards and his health too a turn south so he had it for over 2 years and it just sat he said he opened it and seen the power supply was all good but 2 caps looke rough.
I now just today got it back he dropped it off and I want to get it up and running for the Kids to use on there bench and I would love to fire it up again myself it has the 10 meter expansion and Ide like to try it out on 80 meters and it has 160 meters so possibly there aswell.
Just opened it and all caps look good well not buldged out or cracking and leaking. I then looked around and found the stinky smoking culprit!! It is a smal black and silver reectifier type diode that is towards the back of the unit inbetween the power supply and the large filter caps.
I know I had broblems with lightbulbs in the meter of this thing blowing out so maybe a connection here. I may not have to have to much done to it unless I decide to have all the components replaced anyways. It has a label with writing inside on the meter and on one of the 3 large Caps that has a date written in inkpen so Im, guessing that would be when it was last gone through or serviced.
I certainly feel better knowing it was just that diode that siszzled
I know I had broblems with lightbulbs in the meter of this thing blowing out so maybe a connection here. I may not have to have to much done to it unless I decide to have all the components replaced anyways. It has a label with writing inside on the meter and on one of the 3 large Caps that has a date written in inkpen so Im, guessing that would be when it was last gone through or serviced.
I certainly feel better knowing it was just that diode that siszzled
Heres the owners manual with schematic if someone can help me identify this little black and silver diode value it would be appreciated. My eyes are not so good and Im not feeling good time to lay down.
The Diode I believe its supposed to be is with amp facing you its straight down the cent mounted to the floor or botton almost at the back or 3/4 ways and its right infront of a 2200 uf 25 Volt Capacitor inbetween power supply and 3 big caps.
Ill check back or if nobody figures this out Ill have to look again when Im feeling beter Im not feeling so good again here which I cant complain I have been doing pretty good for the most part http://www.qso.com/k7cwa/ameritron_AL-84.pdf
Thanks in advance for any help .....Tony
The Diode I believe its supposed to be is with amp facing you its straight down the cent mounted to the floor or botton almost at the back or 3/4 ways and its right infront of a 2200 uf 25 Volt Capacitor inbetween power supply and 3 big caps.
Ill check back or if nobody figures this out Ill have to look again when Im feeling beter Im not feeling so good again here which I cant complain I have been doing pretty good for the most part
http://www.qso.com/k7cwa/ameritron_AL-84.pdfThanks in advance for any help .....Tony
Last edited:
Associated radio in Overland Park Kansas. Just google the name and it will give you their website and toll free number. I have used them for many years and they are very honest and do good work.
Heres the owners manual with schematic if someone can help me identify this little black and silver diode value it would be appreciated. My eyes are not so good and Im not feeling good time to lay down.
The Diode I believe its supposed to be is with amp facing you its straight down the cent mounted to the floor or botton almost at the back or 3/4 ways and its right infront of a 2200 uf 25 Volt Capacitor inbetween power supply and 3 big caps.
Ill check back or if nobody figures this out Ill have to look again when Im feeling beter Im not feeling so good again here which I cant complain I have been doing pretty good for the most part
Thanks in advance for any help .....Tony
That would be D1, the 7.5 volt 10 watt zener diode. It is used to establish cathode operating bias. They cannot handle much in the way of voltage spikes so I suspect something else may be wrong with the amp. Power supply diode failures or capacitor failures may cause the zener to blow. It can be replaced by a series string of regular diodes as long as the voltage drop across them is around 7.5 volts. You would need at least 10-12 of them but you could use more tap off at the point that applies the proper bias voltage to give you the proper idling plate current.
SIX-SHOOTER
ICOM CENTRAL.7610,9100,PW-1,HEIL FIN & HEIL PR-781
AMERITRON
Send it to AMERITRON.Their rates are GOOD & Rob is the man on these amps. Give him a call & tell him Clayton said so! FAST DEPENDABLE service done RIGHT with a WARRANTY!
SIX-SHOOTER
Send it to AMERITRON.Their rates are GOOD & Rob is the man on these amps. Give him a call & tell him Clayton said so! FAST DEPENDABLE service done RIGHT with a WARRANTY!
SIX-SHOOTER
I looked at it the other day and also figured it was D1 I had a hell of a time lookin at that Schematic!!! Thanks for the info six I was thinking that Ameritron would not take this on due to its age. And Greg you ask why?? BECAUSE I WANT IT FIXED YA GOOFBALL!! LMAO!! Seriously I need it repaired and a person that has the experience and the know how can go over the thing and test it to see if anything else needs to be done cap replacements (Diodes) Te st tubes ETC. I found a new matched set of 4 6LQ6 tubes or $130.00 shipped
If a tube arced it could surely cause the problem. Bad filter caps may as well as they could spit and sputter and cause all kinds of voltage spikes and current surges.
I didn't know you wanted the 6LQ6's for the Ameritron, it must be old. Like I said give Carl a call he has all the test equipment.
- No one is chatting at the moment.
-
-
-
dxBot:63Sprint has left the room.
-
dxBot:kennyjames 0151 has left the room.
-