[Heathkit] Me and My SB 230 are needing HELP

[Mike Goshay]

First time for me on this reflector giving a response. Judging from all the 
activity happening inside this amp you may need to check and see if the 
NEUTRAL wire iis indeed connected.Sound to me that the return may be open 
and is trying to use ground as a neutral. Mike G w6we

>A chattering DC relay often means it is being fed AC. Check the voltage 
>source.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Glen Zook" <gzook at yahoo.com>
> To: <heathkit at mailman.qth.net>; "Bill/K4FLH" 
> <k4flh at hamsandmotorcycles.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 5:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Me and My SB 230 are needing HELP
>
>
>> Several things:
>>
>> First of all, your 8873 tube may being going "south".  If so, then be 
>> prepared for some REAL SERIOUS cost for a new one.
>>
>> Then the contacts on the meter switch (which also switches from the 
>> exciter only operation to using the linear) may need cleaning or even 
>> replacement.  According to the schematic this would be the front (towards 
>> the panel) wafer.
>>
>> Next, the bias rectifier may have gone bad, C-18 may have gone bad, and 
>> R22 may have gone low in value.
>>
>> Then, the contacts on the phono jack into which the control line from the 
>> exciter may have become loose.
>>
>> Of course the control from your exciter may have developed problems as 
>> well as the cable between the exciter and the linear.
>>
>> Glen, K9STH
>>
>> Website:  http://k9sth.com
>>
>>
>> --- On Sat, 9/27/08, Bill/K4FLH <k4flh at hamsandmotorcycles.com> wrote:
>>
>> From: Bill/K4FLH <k4flh at hamsandmotorcycles.com>
>>
>> I need HELP! My SB 230 is driving me crazy! The relay chatters when keyed 
>> and I can't figure out why.
>>
>> I've replaced the .01 mf cap (C17),  the diode across the relay coil (D 
>> 17), checked the 10 watt resistor across the coil (R23) also.I made sure 
>> the grid ring isn't shorted.
>>
>> I had replaced the thru caps C23 & C31 because one snapped awhile back 
>> .The amp worked fine after I did this. I shut it off, came back next day 
>> turned it back on and when I keyed it there was a snap and then the relay 
>> started this chattering. I can't see any arching and no components where 
>> blown.