Selenium rectifier
Replaced the 77 year old Selenium rectifier... I replaced it with a modern full wave bridge rectifier rated at several amps.
Relay problem solved
Relay problem solved. I learned a few things about AC powered relays. You can't bring them up on a variac slowly or they will chatter between 50 and 100 volts. They need to be operated at their full voltage, over 110 volts. It turns out that when using the dim bulb in line with the variac, the voltage drop was too much, and the relay dropped below its cutoff voltage and started to chatter. With 115 volts AC across the contacts, you get to see some sparks (not good). I turned off the dim bulb, set the variac at 120 volts and flipped the switch! The transmitter powered up and started drawing about 1.2 amps. No smoke or explosions :)
Comments
Post a Comment