[time-nuts] Datum Efratom LPRO Rubidium Lamp removal

[iovane at inwind.it]

Hi Frank,
in fact Symmetricom states that LPRO is not field-repairable, and I suspect that disassembly would be destructive of the delicate mechanical/thermal coupling between the lamp assembly and the outer case. Anyway, as my unit doesn't work, I will try to repair it, and even in the case of no success, at least I will have got more familiar with it.
Having an LPRO serviced/swapped by Symmetricom is not the right choice to the average amateur, as they are often available on ebay around 250 US$.
Thanks and regards,
Antonio I8IOV

> Antonio,
> AFAIK an LPRO's lamp wasn't replaced before.
> The root case is typically not just the lamp,
> and there is a chance to damage the unit.
> It seems Symmetricom is able to repair/swap a LPRO for >2k euro.
> You may lookup their EMEA repair center contacts.
> Alternativly you may check out used equipment offers, with LPRO build in.
> brgds
> Frank 
> -------- Original-Nachricht -------
> > <snip> any experience in replacing the lamp on an
> > LPRO rubidium oscillator? 
> > I have two LPROs, one working and another which reads "lamp volt" = zero.
> > I feel it is not a matter of lamp, as the lamp housing doesn't heat (it
> > should). I would try swapping the lamps <snip> for diagnosis,
> > at least to know if I could rely on a spare lamp from the faulty unit,
> > <snip>
> > I would like to know if this could damage it. 
> > By the way, does anybody have the schematics of LPRO? 
> > Thanks, 
> > Antonio I8IOV