"Leon Heller" wrote in message
...
"Chuck Olson" wrote in message
news:Tz5uc.14050$eY2.3710@attbi_s02...
My Metcal RFG-30 soldering system power supply quit on me a week or so
ago,
so yesterday I decided to look into
the problem.

[deleted]

I've got a couple of the later PS2V units. They have four screws securing
the top cover. Just out of curiosity I removed it on one of the units and
the Al panel beneath it carrying the On/Off switch and the LEDs.
Everything
inside seems fairly accessible for servicing, including the output
device -
a VN0106, I think, in a TO220 package.

Perhaps I could put one of them on 14 MHz by changing the crystal. 8-)

73, Leon


Thanks, Leon and Pete. This oldest of the 13.56 MHz power units has no
fasteners visible on the top surface, so I figure it has to be fastened from
the inside. I tried to look up through the bottom, but too many components
were in the way. It usually shows up on Ebay at a pretty low price,
presently there's one at $14.99 with no bid. I kinda like them because
there are no funky RF switches to go bad. Some of the RFG-30 units have LED
indicators, but out of 4 units, 3 of mine have incandescent lamps behind the
front Metcal logo that no longer light up. Yes, that would really be a
buzz, "rig here is a 30 watt Metcal RF Generator"! ! ! Might not be too
hard to do.

These things must be exceptionally reliable since there's almost no
information available (or needed, apparently) on how to repair them - - they
must not be failing.

73, Chuck