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Message |
    
Skilletlicker
Intermediate Member
Username: Skilletlicker
Post Number: 261
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 4:36 pm: | 
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could two power supplies be hooked together like two batteries or is there a difference
skilletlicker
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Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 215
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 7:00 pm: |
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two switching supplies can be connected together in parallel to double current output,but they need to be identical in voltage and current.Linear type supplies(the type with the big power transformers)cannot unless you use an isolator made of 2 high current diodes.when doing this also expect a .6 to .8 volt drop in supply output.
TECH291
CEF#291
KC8ZPJ |
Snowfire
Intermediate Member
Username: Snowfire
Post Number: 129
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 7:47 pm: |
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I have woundered the same thing. I want to get another power supply just like the one I have and hook them together so maybe they will give me enouf amp's to run my TX Str 500. 50 amp's just ain't enouf for the 500.
Cef 294
Snowfire |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2105
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 5:16 am: |
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Well,get yourself 2 100 amp alternators from a junk yard for parts,take out the diode-trios(3-diodes built together)use these for your hi-current diodes they have an integral finned heatsink,then readjust the voltage outputs of the supplies to counteract the drop across the diodes,now you got one humongus 13.8 volt supply.Bigbob |
Viking
Intermediate Member
Username: Viking
Post Number: 216
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 10:44 am: |
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Here's a re-post I did on another site.
_________________________________________________________________
I found an article one time about making your own power supply for radio ect. using old computer power supplies. So I started experimenting. I found a place that had 200W ps's for $3.50 each, so I bought 3.
It turns out these did not have adjustable outputs. When I checked the 12V output (yellow wire) it was indeed 12V. Not 13.8 The 12V output was rated at 8 amps. The 5V output (red wire) was rated at 20 amps. So I took the 3 ps's and ran them in series to get 15V @20 amps.
When I hooked my Connex up to it, pardon my phrase, it ROCKED! 15V does wonders for that thing (at least according to the Dosy).
When I tried my Palomar 250HD, as soon as I keyed, the re-settable fuse (or whatever they have in there) in the ps's would kick in, that is shut the ps down. "Dang!" So I got another 3 and hooked the 6 up series-parallel. Same thing. Double "D..."
This was last winter. The other day I was looking at it and on the shelf I saw an 8000Mfd capacitor. I hooked that in-line with the initial 3 and... it worked. WooHoo!
I guess the surge was a little too much and the cap cushioned the blow.
Just thought I'd share my experience.
Thanks for 'listening'.
Viking |
Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 290
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 3:08 pm: |
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I've always wanted to try this:
Get one big alternator. Get one big battery. Get a 1/2hp or 1hp electric motor. Make a plate to mount the motor and alternator on. Drive the alternator with the electric motor via a belt or chain. Wire the alternator to the battery. Use a voltage regulator to control the current to the battery.
You could in theory have a power supply that you plug into the wall. The electric motor won't pull that much, so it won't cost a lot to run it. Plus you could get one off an old household waterpump..cheap. The alternator would supply big amps and the battery would help filter things.
What do you guys think about this? |
Viking
Intermediate Member
Username: Viking
Post Number: 217
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 6:42 pm: |
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This is from an emergeny preparedness site:
Build your own generator (on the cheap)
http://theepicenter.com/tow02077.html |
Sonny
Member
Username: Sonny
Post Number: 54
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 8:08 pm: |
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Snowfire, I would check your power supply it should handle your amp with no problem using the formula watts (500) divide by volts (12.0 )= amp (41.6) |
Snowfire
Intermediate Member
Username: Snowfire
Post Number: 131
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 8:53 pm: |
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Sonny, My power Supply has vararble power from 12 to 16volt's. Turned all the way up my supply will not run my 500 at 1/2 power! Sad but true. My power supply is a Aries A-PS50M 50 amp-60 amp surge. The Tx Str will trip the breaker on the power supply evertime it is turned up around 1/2 power. I need to find a bigger power supply or get another just like this one and hook them together for 100amp's. I hope this would work?
Cef 294
Snowfire |
Viking
Intermediate Member
Username: Viking
Post Number: 218
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 11:04 am: |
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Snowfire, the 500 at 1/2 power (say 250-300 watts) will trip the 50amp power supply? That sounds strange. If you have access to a large cap, say 800Mfd (like I used as mentioned earlier) or better yet a 1-farad or higher, put it in line between the amp and power supply. That should take care of the problem
As far a paralleling two power supplies, they say that they both need to be the same, amps and voltage. Something about balancing them. I tried to find the post that talked more in depth about this, but couldn't find it. |
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 469
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 7:59 pm: |
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What radio are you using to drive your TS 500 with Snowfire? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1040
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2005 - 11:20 pm: |
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You can parallel power supplies. However, the one that has the higher voltage will have the most current drawn from it.
Also, you can series power supplies just like a battery. The current capability will be whatever the lowest current power supply unit is rated for. |
Snowfire
Intermediate Member
Username: Snowfire
Post Number: 133
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
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Hotwire I'm using my base radio, RCI 2985.
Cef 294
Snowfire
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Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 303
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 12:44 am: |
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If you have two marine batteries, they are both 12v but different reserve amounts, can you run them together anyway? I mean in run them parallel not in series, to keep them at 12 volts?
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2114
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 7:38 am: |
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If you used a stock cb the supply would be ok,how many pass transistors does it have and what is their rating or I.D.no.,just curious,and you should be using 8 or 6 gauge wire for hook up,you could be converting some of those amps to heat inadvertantly.Bigbob |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1047
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 10:48 am: |
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Porkchop-
Parallel batteries of different AH is a bad idea. In fact, parallel batteries of same AH but different ages is also a bad idea!
Do a little research on some of the solar electric websites. The solar guys (the ones who live OFF the grid) really have it all figured out. |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 630
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 11:01 am: |
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How are you going to be using them Porkchop? |
Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 305
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
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OK. Thanks!! |
Poppathree
Junior Member
Username: Poppathree
Post Number: 28
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 9:28 am: |
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Porkchop, I used to run my amp off a battery too, but rather than run a motor/alternator etc. I just hooked an auto battery up to a trickle charger. I ran a 2 amp trickle to top off the battery and a 6 amp charge during heavy use (keying). The charger had a gauge so I could always monitor the battery, plus the charger was much cheaper than a power supply, and you can use battery without the charger during power outages. As a precaution however, any time you charge a battery make sure it is in a WELL VENTILATED area, as explosive hydrogen gas can be generated during charging. I hooked up a computer power supply fan (12 volt) that aided in venting....73..Lee |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1182
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 2:13 pm: |
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snowfire, try backing down INPUT to amp from radio. you'll find amp will get roughly full/same output over a wide range of input watts(example: may get 150 watts carrier out with 3-5-8-10 input. obviously LOWER input better for amp life).
texas stars' website says 45 amps draw MAX, that's on peaks, should not kick off power supply at 1/2 wattage. my dx 350 will draw LESS then 30 amps on 148, but more on delta & still key same 75 watts & swing same 250+ or -. |
Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 309
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 2:53 pm: |
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Well that is how I've been using just one. I have a small charger on it. I usually leave the 2 amp charge on, and turn up the 10 when I'm running a big radio or amp.
I just got another battery, and the guy told me "it's just like the one you have there". Well, it's not exactly like the one I have. I was planning on running them together either as 12v or 24v to run a big amp. Not sure if or how long the amp would take 24 volts though. |
Snowfire
Intermediate Member
Username: Snowfire
Post Number: 135
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 6:37 pm: |
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Patzerozero, I run my radio on low power with any amp wich is 2 watt dead key. The Texas Star 500V I have has two 35amp fues's in it. 300watts at 1/2 power does good job tho.
Cef 294
Snowfire |
Twowatt
Member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 7:59 pm: |
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therealporkchop, most amps on 24 volt: "breaker breaker one nine, anybody got a copy on the real...."
off air,"hey, what's that smell?"
imo
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2128
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 8:49 am: |
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I'll have to re-tell the story of the late Engineer,to give a look at what happens when you use batteries and become complacent,it may still be in the archives here,I think it was in ask the tech about 2 or three years ago,suffice to say,his whole residense was destroyed and he was killed,due to use of batteries and lack of venting,pieces of his house were found 300 feet away,never under estimate the power of hydrogen.Bigbob |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 664
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 3:22 pm: |
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Or you could just buy a smart charger that won't cause the cells to outgas.
Or you could use a regulated power supply as the battery's charger. Once you reach the regulated voltage it won't charge anymore. It's a little trickier because temperature plays a role in battery chemistry and the harder it's used the easier it will be to outgas.
There are lots of projects on the internet regarding charge control of renewable energy battery banks. Search around and you can read a little about it and decide how you want to go about it. |
