[Test-Equipment] Bird Termaline Question - Update (long)

[Ron Youvan]

   On 02/07/2017 02:35 PM, Howard K5JCP Weeks in GA wrote:

> Back around 1962 or so, I came by a 500 watt Bird Termaline load.
> According to an ohmmeter, it was reading high - well over 50 ohms but
> less than 100. I do not remember exactly what it was.

> I stood the load on it's back end, loosened the clamp ring and removed
> it from the case. Lost a little oil in the process. The problem was a
> crack in the load resistor up near the top or feed point end. Since the
> coating on the resistor was conductive, I put a small stainless radiator
> clamp (about 1/2" wide) over the crack and tightened it. The resistance
> went to about 49 ohms or so and I put it back together with a little
> additional mineral oil. I still have that load and it is still working.
> The slightly low resistance doesn't make any practical difference in the
> normal use of it.

   They do make 75 Ohm resistors for loads, measure from the center to
each end to see if they are both the same, if so that is it, if they
are dissimilar that resistor is no good as a 50 Ohm load.

   Bird quit using mineral oil in their loads over 10 and possibly 20
years ago, I do not know if adding a little additional mineral oil
will help or hurt.
-- 
   Ron  KA4INM - Youvan's corollary:
                 Every action results in unwanted side effects.