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Blackjack
New member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 5
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 12:26 pm: | 
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I recently acuired a new Palmoar elite 300 mobile amp, 2 SD1446 TRANSISTORS , all functins seem to work, im using it with a uniden grant,dead key 2 watts swinging to around 10 or so, my s.w.r. is about a 1.5, WHAT I NOTICED AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED ON MY TX STAR AMPS OR OTHERS IS AFTER KEYING UP FOR A CONSTANT MIN-2MINS,YOU'LL ACTUALLY SEE THE WATTAGE START DROPPING ,THEN AFTER YOU UNKEY THE AMP FOR A MIN OR 2,WHEN U KEY UP,IT WILL GO BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE,EXAMPLE = LOW POWER WITH A 2 WATT DEAD KEY,DOSY METER SHOWS 40 WATT DEAD KEY,SWINGING TO ABOUT 80, IF U KEEP IT KEYED UP,AFTER A MIN OR 2 YOULL SEE THE WATT METER DROPPING DOWN TILL IT GETS TO LIKE 10 WATT DEAD KEY,SWING TO 20 WATTS ETC,IVE NEVER SEEN THIS, IS IT LIKE A SAFETY MODE FOR THE FINALS OR SOMETHING ? OTHERWISE THE AMP RUNS WELL IF U ONLY KEY IT UP FOR SAY 20 SEC INTERVALS, I DONT THINK THE FINALS ARE BAD, OUTPUT IS GOOD, VERY GOOD SIGNAL & AUDIO REPORTS,PREAMP WORKS WELL, IM NOT OVERDRIVING IT BASED ON THE WATTAGE I STATED IM PUTTING INTO IT, ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THIS SCENARIO WITH THE PALMOAR ELITE 300 MOBILE AMP ? |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2601
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 1:53 pm: |
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What are you using to power this amplifier? I have seen issues like that from power loss. You would need at least about a constant 25 amps from a 13.8 volt power supply if you was to run it as a base setup.
In a vehicle you need a good strong battery. A good working stock 100amp alternator would work well. You never want any voltage drop. Of course the vehicle should be running to get full output from the amp. Also at least 10 gauge hookup wire from the amp direct to the battery is very important.
You should be getting much more than 80 watts from that amp.
Kenny
CEF491
Mudduck County
Indiana
The Hotwire Mobile coming soon to a radio near you!
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Blackjack
New member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 12:07 am: |
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Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Amplifiers » T.S. 667 Down Swing Problems need help « Previous Next »
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2007 - 10:05 pm: I just picked up a texas star 667 (non variable). I have it in my truck with my ss-158. I have the wattage turned down to 4watts but I'm getting down swing with the amp on. The strange part is I was running a texas star 350 (non variabe) before with no problems. I'm lost as to what the problem is. Could I be overdriving the amp or could I be not getting enough juice to the amp. Any help would be great.
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 10:19 am: I forgot to mention that even with my 148 that only keys up at 2watts and swings to 12 the 667 was still doing the same thing. Any help would be great.
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 241
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 12:44 pm:
I'm sure it's unrelated to your backward swing, but just an FYI: 4 watts deadkey is way too much for the 667. Forget the manufacturer's specs, it likes 2 watts or less. Mine runs best at 1.75 watts.
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2432
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 1:23 pm:
I would definatley check the antennas SWR. Also are you using a good antenna? I'm going to assume your talking about the meter on the amp showing the backswing. Is the radios meter showing forward swing?
Those meters on the Texas Star amps get on my nerves and I wish they was not even there. Use a peak reading watt meter instead.
You might try this and it has worked for me in the past. Play around with different jumper lengths. The amp meter will change when you change jumper lengths. SWR will stay the same but the meter reading will be more accuarte.
You need at least a 100 amp alternator and good battery. 8 gauge power wire for a short run will work 6 gauge is choice. When you key the amp up and you hear the pull on the engine and see your interior lights dimm you know that bad boy is putting out some watts! Keep her cool!
good luckKEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 8:37 pm:
I'm using a wilson 5000 magnet mount. My swr is a 1.5 with the box on. Using a friends dosy meter. The down swing I see is on the amps meter. I know its true because the lights on the meter and the power switch get brighter as I talk. I have everything in a 99 Tahoe so it should have at least a 100amp alt. With a optima yellow top battery. If 4watts into it is to much then I don't know what to do the 158 won't go lower. But using my 148 that is set at 1 watt the box still did the same.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 14622
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 11:44 pm: Nickybots110,
4 watts is not too much.
Texas Star rates the input power for the EX667 (Non Variable) at 4 or 20 watts.
4 watts input rated for 500W output
20 watts input rated for 650W/58A
Your Texas Star 350 only pulled 30A
Depending on what else you have on in your vehicle ie: radio/heater/wipers/lights etc, you may need to install a new belt and an Underdrive (Smaller) altenator pully and/or extra battery.
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 6:36 am: Thanks alot. I have a place by me that sells performance parts I'll go today and see what they want for the pulley. Hopefully it works
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2437
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 3:47 pm: The lights get brighter as you talk??? Wow I don't think I have ever seen that before. You may have a dead short in the coax somewhere. Check the connectors for damage. Look for sharp kinks like when coax gets pinched in a door, loose shield or worn coax jacket and most of all try another antenna. Whatever the problem it sounds serious and I would not key the radio anymore than I had to to check things. Best thing is to start all over from the beginning with fresh coax and an antenna you know for fact is in perfect working condition!KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2438
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 3:52 pm: Forgot to mention one more thing I just happened to notice in your first post. You say that the same system worked fine with the Texas Star 350 before you replaced it with a Texas Star 667? Man I'm no expert but it sounds like you need to send the 667 back where you bought it for a refund or exchange!KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 9:26 pm:
Well I found out the problem was to much of a voltage drop. I would have 13.7-8 volts and when I keyed up it dropped down to 11 volts. I ran #4 gauge wire from the battery to the amp and now its fine. Dead keys at 475 and swings to just about 700. I guess the #8 gauge I was using was either to small or there might be a break in the wire somewhere. Thanks for all the help.
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2443
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 2:02 pm: Dead keys 475 WATTS?KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
Nickybots110
New member
Username: Nickybots110
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 9:20 am:
Thats what I said. I checked it with my meter and a friends. Unfortunaly there both dosy's but thats what I'm getting. On high of course. Thats with 4 watts in dead key and swings to 30 watts |
Blackjack
New member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 12:11 am: |
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POWER SUPPLY IS A 50 AMP PYRAMID,RUNS MY TX STAR 350 HDV WITH NO PROBLEMS,SO ITS DEFINITELY NOT A POWER SUPPLY ISSUE,THE 8O WATT SWING IS WITH THE BOX ON LOW POWER, RADIO WATTAGE =A DEAD KEY OF 2 WATTS FROM THE RADIO,SWINGING TO 10 WATTS FROM THE RADIO...PRODUCES DEAD KEY OF ABOUT 30 WATTS SWINGING TO 80 ON LOW, 40 WATT DEADKEY SWINGING TO 100 ON MED AND 60 WATT DEADKEY SWINGING TO 150 ON HIGH....... ASO ITS DEFINITELY NOT THE POWER SUPPLY |
Blackjack
New member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 2:17 am: |
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I THINK I FOUND THE PROBLEM,I FAILED TO MENTION WHEN I GOT THE AMP,I HOOKED IT DIRECTLY TO THE POWER SUPPLY WITH THE THIN 5 INCHES OR SO OF WIRE IT CAME WITH,I FOUND A 12 GAUGE QUICK DISCONNECT,ABOUT A FOOT IN LENGTH,I CRIMPED THAT ON THE OORIGINAL WIRE THAT CAME WITH THE AMP,KEYED HER UP FOR A GOOD 1-2 MINS, TWICE, NO LOSS IN POWER, THAT MAKE SENSE ? |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2604
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 9:50 am: |
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Well that is odd! You would think that connecting the amp right to the supply with the attached wire would be fine. Maybe the amp being wired so close to the power supply? You got me stumped thats for sure. Glad to hear it is working ok now.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Blackjack
New member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 9
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 11:20 am: |
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ANOTHER THING THATS ODD, THIS AMP HAS THE ''AUTOMATIC SIDEBAND'' WHICH WHEN KEYED UP MAKES A SOUND LIKE U THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG,NOT A RELAY CLICKING BUT MORE LIKE A BUZZING SOUND,I NOTICE THAT AFTER CHECKING THE TRANSMIT POWER ON SSB, THE WATTAGE STARTED DROPPING AGAIN, I DONT THINK THAT AUTO SSB IS ANY GOOD FOR SIDEBAND, AFTER GOING BACK TO AM AND LEAVING THE AMP ALONE FOR 5 MINS,IT KEYED UP FINE AGAIN, I KEYED IT UP FOR A GOOD 2 MINS WITH NO POWER LOSS, I DID THAT TWICE BUT I GOT TO TELL YA KENNY,U CAN FIND THEM PALOMAR ELITE 300'S ON CERTAIN AUCTION SITE'S FOR A $100 NEW BUT AFTER USING 1 I DONT THIN THEYRE MADE THAT WELL,U GET WHAT U PAY FOR IN LIFE, I'D RECOMMEND SPENDING A LIL MORE MONEY AND GETTING A TEXAS STAR 250 FROM COPPER,I HAVE THE 250 & 350 & THEY ARE MUCH BETTER BUILT AMPS AS FAR AS QUALITY ETC. i trust my PRIDE 100 amp over palomar & that thing is 30 years old and still works flawlessly for a lil amp |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2607
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 12:05 pm: |
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I'll agree with you on the Texas Star amps. I own several of them and just love how they work on SSB.
Have had my eye on one of those newer Palomar 225's. They are built real clean and have some really improved filtering. For the price I would like to get one. They also have auto SSB delay. I have used the auto delay amps before and they seemed to work OK. Only dislike was how long I had to wait for the amp to unkey itself. I found a line of amps made by Bulletproof with an adjustable ssb delay. Nice looking amps inside really clean but the price is cheap so I got to wonder. Sometimes looks are not everything. For now I stick with Texas Star DX500 in the mobile.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Blackjack
Junior Member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 11
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 12:03 am: |
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Yes your definitely better off with the tx star amps,i tried the palomar elite 300 since it was $ 100 new,but i should have known for the price it wasnt going to be a tx star,luckily i dont use it much on ssb since the ssb makes a funny buzzing sound,i guess thats the auto ssb & when i user it on ssb the power drop nonsense starts to happen,theyre made cheap,thats the bottom line. Ive seen them Bulletproof amps,they look nice but for the price im not even gonna waste my money,usually when something is half of what you would normally pay for a new comparable item,thats a sure indicator of the quality,performance,etc if the palomar elite 300 for example were just as good as tx star, tx star would go out of business soone considering the big big difference in price between the 2 amps, im staying away from them $ 100 new & IMPROVED amps, my opinion is theyre a waste of money,i figured id try 1 but after trying it i see why they cost what they do. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2609
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 5:03 am: |
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I'll tell ya what Blackjack. I know your right, lots of cheapy poorly made amps going around. I have a couple of those cheap gold color Galaxy 225 amps and those suckers are pretty darn dependable when driven correct. I will admit I have had some issues with a few Texas Star amps and I'm one who never abuses gear. I even made leather dust covers for my amps and radios! Yeah Texas Star does make a better amp but if it is all I have a cheapo will get me on the air and get my name called in DX land. Heck the amps we are talking about are not far from each other. Want to talk quality how about a REAL amp like a Henry or Ameritron. To many dollar signs for me!
If your like me you probably have several "backup" boxes collecting dust and weighing down paper.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Blackjack
Junior Member
Username: Blackjack
Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 11:54 am: |
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Kenny, what type of wire do you use for your amps for base use, i pruchased the 6 gauge wire a while ago from copper for my tx star 350 but i need cable for tx star 250, the palomar 300 & a boomer 200,i dont want to purchase the 6 gauge wire again, thats overkill for these other amps & a bit pricey if i bought that wire for each amp i have, i notice the other quick disconnects on copper are or ft or 2 in length, im looking for 4-6 ft in length,say 10 or 8 gauge cable, usually all i see on that internet acution website is 1-2 ft lengths as well, i want the extra length since my pyramid 50 amp sits on my floor and when i use the amps with the 1ft quick disconnect,i have to lay the amp on the floor since its not enough wire to reach to my radio table, im figuring if i can get 4-5ft of cable i can slap quick disconnects on the stock wire's that come out of each amp so i can switch amps easily when i feel like. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2610
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 1:54 pm: |
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I use six feet of 8 gauge power cable for the DX 500. 10 gauge will work well for a DX250. I only use the exact length I need to make the reach, no extra cables rolled up.
Remember the shorter and thicker the power cables are the less resistance. More resistance in the cable means less power from the amp. Six feet should be ok.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Galaxy_man
New member
Username: Galaxy_man
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2016
| | Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016 - 12:53 pm: |
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What did key should I feed into a Porlamar elite 400 to get maximum out?
I have been putting 2 watt dead key into it and getting almost 400 or better out on high
Is this right?
I am driving it with a galaxy DX 99V2. |
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