Dave there are other makers of HV connectors out there. On their high power
base stations, Motorola use a Teflon one. They are similar to one sold by
Surplus Sales of Neb., see here:
http://www.surplussales.com/Wire-Cable/HVWire-2.html
The site says a pair are 14 for the Teflon type and the old style Millen
tan colored are almost 20. The black are 15.60
Good luck & 73
Jim W5JO
----- Original Message -----
From: "david knepper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 2:50 PM
Subject: [AMRadio] Millen High Voltage Connectors
My homebrew transmitter, designed by Stan, W3TGR now a silent key, is
going through exhaustive and often frustrating testing. Stan used lots of
shielded wire - you know the Belden stuff that is deteriorating over time
with brittle insulation on the wire. I had to replace several leads
because the center conductor was shorting to ground when the insulation
became brittle. So it goes ...
Today, I thought that I had finally debugged the unit - pair of 813's
modulated by 805's - but I heard the troubling sound of high voltage to
ground. Measuring the Millen connectors to ground revealed a short. Here
the Millen connectors on the modulator were arcing to ground on the
secondary side of the modulation transformer running from the high voltage
through the secondary winding to the PA amplifier. I am using those
light tan units that are supposed to be better than the red connectors.
Stan used these connectors on the PA amplifier, the modulator deck, and
the high voltage power supply.
I suppose that under modulation that the peaks exceeded the voltage rating
of the Millen connectors. Once before many years ago, I had the same
problem. However, these connectors are often used in homebrew
construction projects as described in the ARRL handbook.
Any ideas out there other than to go with ceramic feedthrough insulators.
Perhaps, it is because of their age and the insulation is breaking down.
Who knows!
Thanks
Dave, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com - the CRA Website
Now with PayPal
CRA Nets: 3805 Khz every Monday at 8 PM EST
and 14255 every Saturday at 12 Noon EST
______________________________________________________________
AMRadio mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
Post: mailto:[email protected]
AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net
AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
