The AM Forum

Hello Everyone,

A Heathkit HW-101 HP23a PS mounted in a SB-600 speaker was just donated to me and I immediately placed it on the work bench and began going through it.

Initial appearance, after a complete dismantle of the (Now Browned) front panel. Currently soaking!
Just filthy, no rust, tons of nicotine, caked on dust almost like a grease.
So it appears like a good 20-30 hour scrubbing will do the trick.

Question, I need to fabricate the interconnecting 11 pin octal plug cable from the PS to the rig.
Can I use 8 wire heavy duty rotor cable for this application?

Also I noticed 2 thick rubberized drive belts that control the driver preselector...Is there any recommendations of a product that can be used to treat them to prevent future dry out and keep there elasticity with out making them to slippery on the tank pulleys they turn?

I'll add some pictures after I download them from my camera later....

Tks....
Len

"O" rings of the appropriate size make good pulley belts. A lightly rubbed coating of talcum powder helps to keep rubber in shape.  Some automotive conditioners might also work well.

Glenn,
Congrats on getting a Heathkit HW101.  I have one downstairs and like it.  Concerning your connector cable you need made up, take a look at what the various pins are handling.  As an example, the filaments will pull the most current so if the rotor cable you have has a pair of wires with heavier gauge, then use those for the filament supply.  I would also use a larger gauge wire for a common ground return back to the supply especially if they are counting on grounding one side of the filaments to the chassis and using the chassis common as a filament return.  I don't have the book in front of me but by looking at your documentation I think you can determine if your multi conductor rotor cable will work.  

I like to use glass cleaners for cleaning off nicotine panels.  Glass Plus works good but I am sure many others will work as well.  As usual, test to make sure no streaking occurs when using any cleaners.  Use the weakest solutions to get the job done.  I like Dawn Dish washing blue liquid squirt soap for knobs.  After I clean them I generally use a wax to buff them up.  

Don't use anything petroleum based on rubber.  Maybe some synthetic type lubes would work.  I would think a good automotive store would have some rubber conditioners.
 

Have fun ....

Joe, W3GMS          

Sorry for my repeat of what you said Rick.  I hate when that happens.  Your response was coming in as mine was going out OM!! 

73,
Joe, GMS   

Yeh, I've used O-rings on all these type units.  Work well.  I get them from local bearing supply store.

Yeah, make sure you get neoprene or Buna-N.  Improves the SWR, doncha know.

Thanks for all the replies...
The HW-101 cleanup has been coming along....
The front panel after soaking 18 hours came out pretty clean. Most of the nicotine softened up. A toothbrush with some Ivory soap cleaned it further. I didn't know the panel was light green. :D

Even with the intense scrubbing with soap and toothbrush, you can still see some nicotine spots where the knobs sit. Actually its the areas that sit under the knobs. However pretty happy with the final results.

Some pics....

Len,
I just found these belts on ebay.  I am assuming they would work nicely on your restoration project,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Three-3-Heathkit-SB-HW-series-replacement-tuning-belt-sets-/320961302824?_trksid=p4340.m444&_trkparms=algo%3DUPI.GIROS%252BPI.WATCH%252BCRX%26its%3DI%252BC%252BS%26itu%3DUCI%252BUCC%252BSI%252BUA%252BLM%252BLA%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D320959122643%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1716202131742260964

Joe, W3GMS 

After cleaning 100s of older rigs I'm convinced cigarette smoke preserves the finish.

Ammonia cuts the brown stuff and will stop stinking after 4 months.  

Thanks for the heads up on this auction....They sure look fine!

Your quite welcome Len.  I hope it works out.  I probably will order some for my 101.  You just never know how long the supplier will have them.
Joe, W3GMS