BIAS Transformer T203, and Associated Circuitry

The replacement Peter Dahl transfomer! It took 2-1/2 months from initiating the order, until delivery. I made the actual purchase through Digi-Key, who provided the customer-facing fulfilment for Hammond. The transfomer also includes a 12.6VAC (at 800ma continuous commercial service) winding, which is used for three distinct purposes within the 30S-1:

• the AC voltage from this winding powers the incandescent dial and meter bulbs
• rectified and filtered DC runs through the HV-interlock circuit
• rectified and filtered DC is used to operate the Antenna Relays (when an external short-to-ground occurs - often an Amp T/R relay inside the exciter)






T203 installed, laced and soldered into it's new home!

When I look at the previous T203, especially the type of insulation and the under-chassis un-laced wiring, it makes me wonder if my burned T203 was already a replacement...? Hmmm... I will thoroughly check each and every circuit associated with this transformer, because it seems possible that this BIAS transformer, in this amp, has been an on-going issue. I intend to firmly quash all the problems now!






C209 and C210 upgraded, mechanically secured, and labelled A pair of new capacitors - same 50uF, but uprated from 150VDC to 250VDC, working temperature range -20C to +85C. The capacitors are labelled, as is the T203 Bias-Transformer centre-tap connection (I may be the next person helped by this clear labelling!). An additional layer of clear heat-shrink was added to ensure HV sturdiness, and the nylon mounting clamps are spaced a further 8mm off the chassis.






I broke this brittle terminal-strip.

While working underneath the Relay Shelf, I broke a terminal-strip. Unable to find an exact replacement, I opted for two smaller terminal-strips, turned 90-degrees to the original. And, this allowed me to neatly separate the two functions on the original: the Step-Start circuit, and the BIAS connections.






Replacement C203 step-start capacitor, securely mounted.

I replaced C203, making sure it's well-secured, and well-insulated. There should never be a problem of fat-fingers causing future short-circuits! The new C203 is rated at 200VDC, which improves on the original 150VDC rating, especially comforting considering how the incoming AC line-voltage has increased over the decades: designed with 115VAC/230VAC in mind, my current voltage is ~6% higher at 122/244 (just measured it).






Underside of Relay Shelf, now tidied.

Whew! All the parts I indicated on the schematic with yellow arrows have now been replaced - YAY! Now, on to some of the upgrades...