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Old 14th Sep 2018, 8:54 pm   #4
Dickie
Octode
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,478
Default Re: Marconi Radio communication Test set 2955A

The first thing to ascertain is whether the solenoids are operating correctly. This is best done by observing them moving when stepping the sig. gen. output level in 10 dB steps over its full range. To see this you have to remove the attenuator by unscrewing the two SMA semi-rigid pipes and the two screws fixing it to the side rail and then take off its thin ally dust cover. Just listening for the clicks is not very diagnostic. If the solenoids are not operating correctly you can do some straightforward fault finding to find the problem. If they are working fine 100% of the time then you will need to dismantle the assembly.
Taking them apart is not recommended because you need a steady hand and a clean environment. The internals are small, delicate, and easily damaged. The switch contact areas are minute. Having said that, they are perfectly straightforward, and if you have ever serviced a french clock movement should present no problems.
With the attenuator removed from the instrument remove the two end plates which are held in place by 4 hex cap-head screws each. Then slowly remove each of the screws holding the two halves of the attenuator body together.
When all screws are removed it should be possible to gently lever the two halves apart. Do this very gently, keeping the two halves aligned and parallel to each other.
The bottom half of the attenuator will have the alumina resitive pads clipped into the body. The gold pads of these can be VERY CAREFULLY wiped with a soft cloth or other similar non-abrasive material. The top half will comprise the drive solenoids, the push rods, and the RF line ribbon connectors. These latter are very delicate and should only be cleaned if necessary. If required the solenoids can be removed for attention, but the push rods and ribbons cannot be removed without damaging them. Re-assembly is the reversal of the above procedure, as they say, and make sure everything goes back in the same place and orientation it came from. Keep everything scrupulously clean, as the contact areas are small and the slightest scrap of dust could result in an open circuit. Tighten the two halves progressively, cylinder head fashion. Use of a contact cleaner is not to be recommended.

A point of detail - The 2955R uses a different attenuator, although the technology is the same. It will provide some spare parts but who's to say they won't have the same problems?

Good luck
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Regards,

Richard, BVWS member

Last edited by Dickie; 14th Sep 2018 at 9:00 pm.
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