Hoskin Powersupply - How does it work?

[NicoN]

On a 1980 M20K we have a non-working strobe on the left side.

It is a Hoskin Strobe with a Power SUpply in each wing near the wing-tip. (P/N 701295  3A14VDC)

I am currently bench-testing the power supply and I suspect 2 big blown caps responsible for the failure.

In the wing, I find +12V (from switch), shield and the "yellow" wire - which is used to sync to or from the right side.

With STrobes ON, I get pulses of voltage on that yellow wire.

SO, my question is: Is my power supply in the right wing a "master" which gives pulses to the left side.

In the consequence: Can I expect my failing Power supply flashing without external assistence? (if repaired). Or do I have to simulate those pulses myself?

 

 

Edited October 29, 2018 by NicoN

[N201MKTurbo]

They should flash independently with the yellow wire open.

It is usually the tube not the supply that goes bad. Did you swap your flash tubes between the two sides to see if it is the supply or the tube?

[NicoN]

Yes, I swapped tubes.

And I bench tested the power supply - does not work. Inside are 2 big capacitors which blown out gaskets and signs of the electrolyt corroding some things.

 

[jetdriven]

I have two Whelen power supplies if you want to convert to those. They are the larger 40j versions and can be synced 

[Hank]

Oh oh, Nico--sounds like the smoke got out! That's what makes electronics work . . . . Wish I could advise on the repair, but if the electrolyte has run over other components, they may no longer work, either. I fix lots of things, but always replace "black boxes," since they seem to run on magic and smoke . . . . .

[thinwing]

Yep. Classic magic smoke escape failure.Those caps store a high voltage chg that fires the zenon strobe tube.You could source the caps from digikey or jameco or Mouser using part code on cap body...That escaping fluid is probably oil based dielectric..hopefully not pcb based...

[One Whiskey Hotel]

If you install the Whalen power supply to replace a dead and no longer available Hoskins unit, pay attention to the wire switch. The polarities are backwards on the Whalen units, but their instructions are very clear about the wire switch to work with a Hoskins strobe. They’ll fit on the access panel with only minor modification to mount properly.

[whiskytango]

On 10/29/2018 at 9:31 AM, Hank said:

Oh oh, Nico--sounds like the smoke got out! That's what makes electronics work . . . . Wish I could advise on the repair, but if the electrolyte has run over other components, they may no longer work, either. I fix lots of things, but always replace "black boxes," since they seem to run on magic and smoke . . . . .

I worked with an EE who said that electrical equipment should be operated like power-plant boilers: Adjust for minimum smoke

[Hank]

3 hours ago, whiskytango said:

I worked with an EE who said that electrical equipment should be operated like power-plant boilers: Adjust for minimum smoke

Electronics run on smoke just like our bodies run on blood--much better when it stays inside! Letting it all out pretty much stops them both . . .

[NicoN]

I learned a lot about those power supplies these days.

Going LED is the last step - and the most expensive solution . So. it is worth to try a repair method.

[NicoN]

OKay, mission accomplished. And no smoke

I put the repair tutorial in another thread. Maybe it helps someone ...