OT: Weird Kenwood Receiver KR-6030 relay problem

[Peter A Markavage]

Sounds like your printed wiring board and/or some of the timing
components are absorbing some moisture under humid conditions. Moisture
on the components or printed board, or on close spaced printed wiring
paths that are part of the timing circuitry, will add additional
resistance to the timing circuitry which will throw off the RC timing
constants. While not a sure cure every time, I've had success doing this:
On a dry day, or after you've blow-dried the board to bring the RC timing
back to "spec", stray the timing area with several coats of Krylon Clear
spray. There are other types of board sealers out there that will also be
acceptable, but this seems to work in most cases. Keep the stray
confined; try not to get it on the relay terminals or any moving parts.
Spray both the top and the bottom sides on the board in the area of the
RC/relay timing.
Pete, WA2CWA

On Tue, 27 May 2003 03:31:43 -0400 rob <rsmyers at ROGERS.COM> writes:
> Hello,
>
> I have "normal AM/FM type" Kenwood tuner/audio amplifier Model
> KR-6030.  It outputs a big 80 Watts per stereo channel.  Not wanting
> to pop your speakers as soon as you flip it to "ON," it has a time
> delay relay that lets the speakers get connected about 10 seconds
> after you flip it  "ON" and by then circuit's capacitors have
> settled down etc.
>
> This thing never turns the amplifier on if the weather is humid ---
> just never kicks in.  In the winter, or when it's extremely dry, it
> does kick in --- sometimes.  Weird thing.
>
> I can always "force" the relay to kick in (connecting my speakers
> properly) by taking a hair styling-type blow-dryer and blowing it on
> to the relay ---  as best I can through the cabinet vents.  Then 10
> minutes later or so, the things starts working.
>
> I mentioned this to friend at work and to my amazement he noticed
> the same thing with another radio --- he has to get out a hair dryer
> to make it work if it is on a humid day.
>
> Has anyone else has this problem, and do they know how to fix it?
>
> Thanks,
> --- Rob Myers
> VE3 JQL

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