Leak Troughline 3 Failing

[Ropie]

Hi All,

My Leak Troughline 3 has developed a twitch. Some of the time it is fine then suddenly the signal will break up and then disappear totally. Sometimes twiddling the tuning nob will bring the signal back for a while, sometimes it won't have any effect and the thing lays quiet (but still all lit up) for ages. I would say it is a 40-60 split between working and not working.

I am sure it's not the aeriel as this is a substantial TV rooftop arrangement, and the aeriel lead alone would provide some sort of signal, but the unit falls entirely silent and the signal strength meter drops to zero-signal.

I have had it checked by a local repair shop - he said all the tubes are fine, it's in good condition and he can't find anything wrong with it, but I don't fancy paying him another minimum charge just to be told again that there is nothing wrong with it There is something wrong with it, but I don't know what.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these beasts? I have a circuit diagram for it but the world of tuners is a complex one and it doesn't help me too much on its own. Any help or ideas, maybe on common failings of the units, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[arniel]

I used to own a Troughline which didn't work...

Hi,
The only information I found on the web was this page about Leak.
The alignment procedure for the Troughline is somewhat hairy! Maybe your repair person should be shown a copy...

Arnie

 

[dnsey]

In my limited experience, the ECC84 (if I remember correctly) at the front end can go intermittent, giving the symptoms you describe. It might well have decided to behave itself on test, of course! Worth trying a substitute if you have one to hand. Otherwise, a dry joint's likely - if you can't find one by close inspection and a little careful tapping, try monitoring the key voltages around the front end when the fault occurs. It shouldn't be too hard to see what's happening.

 

[dnsey]

Correction: V1's an ECC88 on the mk.3. Same applies, though.

 

[Ropie]

Thanks, I will try the tests you mention.

I have read through all the Leak pages I can find and the best advice seems to be a complete overhaul by GTA Audio, but £350 minimum seems to be a lot to pay for the work!

Maybe a new decoder when I get the thing working properly.

 

[Ropie]

Further 'tests' have shown that by wiggling the front facia slightly the fault comes and goes. Also, tapping lightly in various areas of the innards has the same effect. I assume this means a loose connection or a bad solder joint somehwere, but I'll be damned if I can find it

 

[koyaanisqatsi]

old thread I know.. but for anyone passing through here … the AFC and Sensitivity switches on the front need contact cleaner DEOXIT at the very least … thats where I would start.