On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:18:21 -0600, Hal Murray wrote in Msg.
Yes, but after you open a beryllia-filled case "with a hacksaw", do you expect all of it to still be in chunk form?
--Daniel
-- "With me is nothing wrong! And with you?" (from r.a.m.p)
I cut the transistor open and took a picture! You can see it at:
To recap:
The power supply board in a 40 year old PAR JB-5 lock in amplifier has lots of ripple on the output. Two of the large TO-3 power transistors on the board (TI 2N456A's) and all the diodes (GE 1N1692's) make tinkling noises when you shake the board. I desoldered the transistors and diodes and confirmed it was they who was tinkling and not the board/solder joints/evil spirits. I cut one of the 2N456A's open with a dremel, and took a picture.
I have a feeling the white chunks inside are deadly beryllium oxide. Can someone confirm this for me?
Win, thanks for the replacement suggestions. I was able to replace the
2N456A's with TIP34B's. The replacement seems to work okay on the secondary -24V to -20V regulator, but not on the rectified AC to -24V regulator. I think there are other problems on the board (like those rattling diodes).Asa
Looks like desiccant to me. Germanium and moisture do not get along well at all.
-- John Popelish
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