[Test-Equipment] AIL Tech 460 Sig Gent troubleshooting

[Dennis Wade]

Good evening,

     Off topic for the Tek group I realize, but I know there are several
test equipment wizards there :).

      Some time ago I went up to Oregon on a mission to buy some test
equipment, and came home with a few things, the subject generator among
them.  They all had been stored for a time, probably in a rather humid
environment.  Nothing in the way of rust or mold however.

      Soon after, I plugged it in just to get a power on test and see if
everything lit up and maybe even a signal.  Well, everything lit up
alright, including an unknown component(s) which gave a nice puff of smoke
out the front cover.  I immediately shut it down and not having a shop to
speak of then, it went on the shelf.

       Today, it came out and sat on the bench.  A previous note to this
group back then looking for a manual yielded nothing substantial.  Never
the less, here it sits, top, bottom and side covers off.

        This thing is built like a tank.  The full right side is an RF
tight enclosure, that I will not touch unless absolutely necessary.  The
left side is occupied by a row of 8 vertically mounted PC boards numbered
(you guessed it) 1-8.  Behind the front panel is a rather populated PC
board that I have no idea how to get to if I had to.  Likewise, the power
supply occupies the back left corner of the chassis, and it is far from
apparent how it might come out if I needed to get into it.  There is a row
of test points on the bottom that are rather well marked with voltages.

       I'd like to think that if I pull the cards and inspect them I'll
find the crispy critter and replace it/them, and check other components I
can get to.  There are ribbon connectors that have to come off though
before I can pull a lot of the cards. But, I'm waiting to see if I can get
any wisdom here.

        So, has anyone worked on one of these?  Is there a manual for a
similar unit that is available from somewhere that would help (with
dis-assembly, for instance). Words of wisdom?  Light candles?

        I have nothing, so any advice would help.  I'm happy to make pics
available if that would be helpful.

       Thanks,

           Dennis

-- 
"If they trust you, it is an extraordinary privilege, and you simply can't
abuse it."
      - A. Alan Post  1914-2011.  California Legislative Analyst 1949-1977.

-------------------------
Dennis L. Wade
KG6ZI
Carmichael, CA