Quantar Power Supply Repair
Moderator: Queue Moderator
-
2wayfreq
- Batboard $upporter
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2001 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: XTS5000 VHF, M-RK II UHF
Quantar Power Supply Repair
I was curious if there is another choice for sending power supplies in for repair besides the IDO Repair Depot in Elgin? Thanks
Radio Tech Troubleshooting Golden Rule #1: Check your connections
Re: Quantar Power Supply Repair
Not that I've ever heard of. We've always had to send them in to the depot for repair.
Re: Quantar Power Supply Repair
A second source for repair might be useful.
A couple years ago, I sent in one of the newer high power supplies to Elgin for repair. When it returned, I put it into an operational Quantar for testing. The first time I keyed the transmitter, the supply failed.
When I looked inside, it was apparent that the brute force repair method had been utilized -- replacing all of the devices attached to the heat sink on the top board. This is a common method of repairing switching supplies and is not necessarily bad, per se.
However, the heat sink had not been properly remounted to the PC board -- probably because that would have required temporarily removing a couple capacitors adding a few minutes to the repair.
I returned the supply with a note complaining about the quality of the repair and suggesting that when it was fixed again that it be tested under load before it was returned. That resulted in complete replacement of the top board in the supply. Now, it is still running strong but I was disappointed by the experience.
A couple years ago, I sent in one of the newer high power supplies to Elgin for repair. When it returned, I put it into an operational Quantar for testing. The first time I keyed the transmitter, the supply failed.
When I looked inside, it was apparent that the brute force repair method had been utilized -- replacing all of the devices attached to the heat sink on the top board. This is a common method of repairing switching supplies and is not necessarily bad, per se.
However, the heat sink had not been properly remounted to the PC board -- probably because that would have required temporarily removing a couple capacitors adding a few minutes to the repair.
I returned the supply with a note complaining about the quality of the repair and suggesting that when it was fixed again that it be tested under load before it was returned. That resulted in complete replacement of the top board in the supply. Now, it is still running strong but I was disappointed by the experience.