CENTER PIN CARE AND REPLACEMENT
1.0 Preface
The EAGLE product you have purchased is equipped with replaceable pin connectors. These connectors are type "N" female. The replaceable center pin allows for field replacement of the center pin should it become worn or damaged.
2.0 Replacement Pins
Replacement pins are available by ordering our replacement pin kit. This kit contains a pin vise and five replacement pins. Please see the figure below which shows the kit as it is packed.
The figure below shows the pin vise and the pins. It is recommended that the pins be stored in a place where they will not become lost.
3.0 Cautions
3.1 Caution: Use proper mating connector.
Insure that the mating connector is an "N" male designed for 50 ohms. The use of other connectors such as a 75 ohm "N" or the "UHF" can cause damage.
3.2 Caution: Missing Center Pins
On receipt of your equipment inspect all connectors. Insure that each center pin is present. If a pin is missing check the packing material and try to locate the pin. When the pin is located it may be installed using a common pin vise or the above kit can be obtained.
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3.3 Caution: Loose Center Pins
Loose center pins may cause errors in the operation of the device. The center pins have been loctited and tested for tightness at the factory. It is highly recommended that they be retested in the field. Especially if readings are of an intermittent nature. The pin vice supplied in the replacement kit is suitable for checking the pins for tightness.
4.0 Pin Replacement
4.1 The figure below shows a center pin. There should be six expansion slots. If not please call EAGLE for advice.
4.2 Remove damaged pin as follows: Heat the pin with a heat gun to 90-100 deg C. Then place pin vise over pin and tighten the collet to firmly grab the pin. Remove the pin by rotating the pin vise counter-clockwise
If pin does not unscrew repeat the heating process and attempt to remove the pin again. If it does not come out after two or three attempts contact factory for assistance.
4.3 Install new pin into the pin vise. Apply a small amount of Loctite #222 to the threads of the pin.
4.4 Carefully insert the pin into the mating threads being careful not to touch the body of the connector. Touching the body may deposit some of the loctite on it which is not good.
4.5 Tighten the pin to where the pin vise starts slipping on the pin.
5.0 Pin Wear
Even with the proper mating connectors some wear is inevitable. The expected connector life is at least 500 cycles. At the end of this life the connector should still be making its specification. As long as the connector is physically intact and the product into which it is intalled is making its specification it can be assumed that the center pin is OK. Should the product not be making its specification with regard to return loss a new connector pin should be installed and the product re-tested.
