[Heathkit] Marauder relay problem

[Mike McCarthy, W1NR]

Relays do fail. I have had Drake T4XB relays fail and the symptoms are
identical to yours.

Mike, W1NR

On 10/12/2012 11:40 PM, Alexander N. Gerli wrote:
> Hi, gang,
> 
> I have a problem with the relay shock-mounted behind the meter. This
> evening, it wouldn't latch, wouldn't go into transmit. I could hear it
> trying to on PTT, a faint clicking. First, I subbed out the 6EA8 V9, no
> change. So, I shut down and decided to dismount the relay and move it away
> from the chassis to have a better look at it.
> 
> It latches partially and with the very lightest touch to the relay's tongue,
> latches completely. I just barely touch it, and it latches all the way.
> Holds tight when latched and releases completely, no problem there. I'm
> thinking that there may be something mechanically that's binding, but I
> can't see where, given all the wires attached to its terminals.
> 
> I've replaced R65, 66 and the 75K/2W pair R67a and b already, as one of the
> ICOD steps pointed those out as components which create a resistive divider
> to engage the relay via V9B the relay amplifier. I note that R67 runs really
> hot to the touch and that's a pair of 2 watters in parallel. Lot of current
> there and I'm wondering if that's normal.
> 
> The relay might be going out, but I don't know if that's really the case or
> not.
> 
> Anyone have a suggestion about this?
> 
> 73,
> 
> Sandy AC1Y
> 
>