03-02-2022, 06:10 PM
Hello All
As a first post this is probably a doozy.
I have over the last few weeks managed to burn out two Auto tuner/couplers. I really dont want to name the Manufacturer, but suffice. These are US made with an excellent reputation and rated at 500 watts SSB. And are eye wateringly expensive!
The problem is- I have a functioning HF install- Icom M802 to a AT140 tuner into a End fed Longwire 72” 8” oal. This is used for SailMail Weather Gribs and E-mail. Recently at a inopportune time this system failed (obvious salt water water in the AT140) I replaced that AT140.
As a redundancy measure. I have installed a TS480HX (new) and the said new Auto tuner.
The TX’s are mounted side by side and share the same RF ground and power, the Tuners are mounted side by side and share the same RF ground. To switch from system to system. The Co-ax is swapped at the TX’s and the Tuner’s and the Long wire feed is swapped at the tuner terminal. Effectively they share exactly the same Aerial
While the M802/AT140 system functions perfectly at 150 Watts. When the cabling is swapped to the TS480 and the new tuner. The Tuner (both new tuners) perform exactly as advertised. However if more that 100 watts is sent to the Tuner. One of the 4 relays in the Tuner at the final section Inductors, prior to the Aerial terminal overheats (badly) and will incinerates itself and damage the adjacent 3 relays. Both of the new tuners have done this starting at exactly the same relay both times after applying 150 Watts.
I have asked the manufacturer directly. Under exactly what circumstances can these kinds of voltages be generated? To date I have had no response. Due to time elapsed I am now doubtful that a response will be forthcoming.
Can anybody give some insight into what is actually happening here?
Thank you
Mike
As a first post this is probably a doozy.
I have over the last few weeks managed to burn out two Auto tuner/couplers. I really dont want to name the Manufacturer, but suffice. These are US made with an excellent reputation and rated at 500 watts SSB. And are eye wateringly expensive!
The problem is- I have a functioning HF install- Icom M802 to a AT140 tuner into a End fed Longwire 72” 8” oal. This is used for SailMail Weather Gribs and E-mail. Recently at a inopportune time this system failed (obvious salt water water in the AT140) I replaced that AT140.
As a redundancy measure. I have installed a TS480HX (new) and the said new Auto tuner.
The TX’s are mounted side by side and share the same RF ground and power, the Tuners are mounted side by side and share the same RF ground. To switch from system to system. The Co-ax is swapped at the TX’s and the Tuner’s and the Long wire feed is swapped at the tuner terminal. Effectively they share exactly the same Aerial
While the M802/AT140 system functions perfectly at 150 Watts. When the cabling is swapped to the TS480 and the new tuner. The Tuner (both new tuners) perform exactly as advertised. However if more that 100 watts is sent to the Tuner. One of the 4 relays in the Tuner at the final section Inductors, prior to the Aerial terminal overheats (badly) and will incinerates itself and damage the adjacent 3 relays. Both of the new tuners have done this starting at exactly the same relay both times after applying 150 Watts.
I have asked the manufacturer directly. Under exactly what circumstances can these kinds of voltages be generated? To date I have had no response. Due to time elapsed I am now doubtful that a response will be forthcoming.
Can anybody give some insight into what is actually happening here?
Thank you
Mike