[Test-Equipment] Sencore FC-71 Counter

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Youvan" <ka4inm at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment" 
<test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] Sencore FC-71 Counter


> Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
>>       I just bought one of these. It works fine but the
>> crystal test is flaky, sometimes it works and sometimes 
>> not
>> on the same crystals. Does anyone know what causes this? 
>> I
>> did find a handbook on line but doesn't address this and 
>> has
>> no schematic.
>>       FWIW, I did try cleaning the crystal contacts by
>> putting some DeOxit on a crystal and rubbing it around in
>> the spring contacts, made no difference.
>
>   Without a book, open it up and look carefully for bad 
> connections and spray all switches with
> "contact cleaner" then exercise the switches.  Make sure 
> the crystal socket/s don't have a broken
> connection in the phenolic part.  (seen it)
> -- 

     After posting I opened it up and cleaned all the Molex 
connectors, the switch, crystal contacts, etc. I am not sure 
if its intermittant but it seems to work now. I also found 
that it seems to go stupid in crystal and resetting it by 
power cycling fixes it. I found a handbook on the web. There 
really isn't much servicable in it. Of course the battery is 
no good. I removed it but have saved it in case someone 
tells me it can be salvaged.
     Its a nice little counter and will suppliment my -hp- 
counter which lives on my work bench.
     This is the first piece of Sencor gear I've gotten. It 
seems to be well-made although obviously designed to be 
economical.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com