For what it's worth I don't want anything to do with the softstarts...
I prefer a solid state rely to protect the on/off switch and
thermisters in the filament circuit to slow up the surge to them.
73,
Lee
-----Original Message-----
From: LEE BAHR <pulsa...@embarqmail.com>
To: Joe Loverti <ww8x....@gmail.com>; drakelist <drakelist@zerobeat.net>
Sent: Thu, Mar 24, 2011 6:54 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] L4B (Harbach Soft Start)
The soft start kits sold by Harbach are totally different for SB-220
amps and L-4B amps. My opinion is they are both way over
priced. The PC layouts are done in amateur fashion and not very
logical, in my estimation. (They certainly could be layed out much
smaller and have much shorter trace lines to help RF from seeping into
the circuit). Their "hang time" is very short, and it is fixed unless
you change cap and resistor values. For about the same money, you can
put in a new surplus real adjustable time delay relay plus another new
40 amp solid state relay to take the load off the "on-off" switch and
it will switch "in" at the right phase angle to stop the transformer
from thumping when energized.
Just my opinion, but each to his own.
Lee, w0vt
----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Loverti
To: drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 4:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] L4B (Harbach Soft Start)
I put a Harbach Soft Start in my Heathkit SB-200. It was wired
correctly and installed per instructions – everything was double and
triple checked. When I powered up the amp the Harbach Soft Start
immediately when up in smoke – boy did it stink up the shack for a few
days.
I contacted Jeff Harbach and told him what had happened. He told me I
must have done something wrong.... well, that is remotely possible I
guess. He didn't offer to replace the kit and I didn't ask. But, I
seriously doubt I did anything wrong...I've built many kits in the past
and have a good track record with them.
Later, on the Yahoo Heathkit amp forum, I found out Harbach Soft Starts
are not without problems – a bad or sticky relay coul to begin with.
Other guys have had similar problems with them.
The L4B is obviously a much different animal than an SB-200... but, for
what it's worth, that's my story with a Harbach Soft Start.
Joe WW8X
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