| Author |
Message |
    
Barracuda
| | Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 11:28 pm: | 
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I'm considering using a mobile radio in the home shack and naturally need to power it from an external 13.8v supply. I've heard various opinions about supply types and degree and qualtiy of regulation as well as other features.
So what would you recommend for a base installation of a mobile ham rig like an Icom 706MKIIg or Yaesu FT-857? I'm not looking for a specific make/model, but rather type and other features.
Thanks,
Barracuda |
Ca346
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 1:49 am: |
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I have the ICOM706MKIIG and run it with a MFJ-4035, It's a 35 amp power supply. I also run a COPPER KL-500 on the same power supply, but I have never used the amp beyond stage 4 (of 6) as it hits 30 amps for both radio and amp at that stage. The amp puts out 250 to 300 Watts on SSB on stage 4.
I turn the ICOM down to 3 or 4 amps AM input. The KL-500 sucks up the other 25 amps or so. I have used the radio at full power (100Watts) and no amp and the radio pulls 20 amps by itself at that wattage.
Hope this helps. |
Buck
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 6:55 am: |
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I would say nothing less than 25 watts. That might not even be enough. To be safe I would go with 35watts or more
Buck |
Highlander
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 8:22 am: |
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I use a Samlex 1023 switching power supply to power my Yaesu FT847. It was 100 bucks, is very small and lightweight (about the same size as a small mobile CB) It is the same OEM supply that Yaesu and Icom sell for about $175. It works flawlessly, I have heard that switching power supplies can produce noise, but this one doesn't cause any problems. I would definitely buy another one if I needed another power supply.
Yaesu has a coupon or rebate on the FT-857 right now, I think. |
Bruce
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 3:13 pm: |
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i use 5 supplys 3 home made 15 amps the big ones a 20 amp and a 25 amp power my big radios the 25 amp is a radio shack switcher it runs my ft-100 |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 4:15 pm: |
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Thanks everybody. I have 2 follow-up questions. I was looking at a catalog yesterday that sells switching supplies of all sizes. I noticed several supplies in the 18-25 amp range that were in the same general price range ($125-$160), but they differed in some of the specs. Most notably the ripple and noise figures varied from 150mV to 250mV @ 13.5V and between 18 and 22 A.
I presume that he ripple in this type of supply is at a higher frequency than the ripple of a non-switched supply. How much of a difference does that make in the amount of interference said ripple causes in the radio? Also, are the quoted figures acceptable for supplies used to power a HAM radio (or a CB for that matter, I'm not biased here just asking for a specific purpose).
Thanks again,
Barracuda |
Crafter
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 7:24 pm: |
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Why take a chance to save $20.00 bucks on a power supply just get a good 30 amp pwr supply I prefer the astron but have had good luck even with a piramid I've had one 12 yrs, and it stays on 24-7 with no problems so far (KNOCK ON WOOD). |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 8:17 pm: |
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Crafter,
I did not mean to suggest that any of the supplies would be purchased. I was more interested in the specs and if they were satisfactory for use in radio applications. The specific supplies I mentioned were not being sold as radio related equipment. The entire catalog was power supply and power converter related stuff.
I'm probably several months away from any purchase, so I'm just trying to learn as much as possible before then.
I do, however, appreciate the suggestion and will look at the various supplies you and others have suggested.
Thanks,
Barracuda |
Mr_Rf
| | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 10:09 pm: |
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Astron is the way to go...hands down!!!! And, I prefer the old style heavy transformer powered supplies. THe switching supplies sometimes produce RF noise across the spectrum and are sometimes painful (costly) to repair and find parts.
1. Determine your maxinum current requirements and get a supply capable of at least 25% more (that's 25% more at the contineous duty rating...not the "ICS" or intermittant duty ratings some supplies try to fool you with).
2. Why, fatique is the most common source of power supply failure. Running a supply that is barely able to handle the load really stresses the regulators and other parts.
3. Moral, If your rig pulls 20amps, get a supply with a contineous duty rating of at least 25 amps. Both will last longer!
4. Also, Give great consideration to future needs, more current, meters, volt and amp controls, etc. Its cheaper in the long run to do it right the first time.
Good Luck |
Pig040
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 9:14 am: |
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I agree with Mr Rf as usual, he has his #### together. Astron is the way to go, I use a 35amp Astron to power my Kenwood 850, and never a problem. I did have a Pyramid Gold before this, real fancy looking, but squealed like a pig when the draw got over half of its capacity. I realize I may just have gotten a bad one, but the Astron seems to be of superior construction, and very durable. |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 8:22 pm: |
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Thanks Guys,
Did anyone happen to see the article in QST recently (Dec issue?) where the author built a power system using a recombinant deep cycle battery to feed the gear and keeps the battery charge up with a charger. Says he can get nice clean power to the radios when the AC mains are running and 11 hours of power if the mains quit.
Any thoughts?
Barracuda |
Ca346
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 9:27 pm: |
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Has anyone tried the TRIPLITE's that COPPER carries? I've never seen one in person or know much about them?
Even if the meters are not accurate on the PYRAMID I have I like to see something MOVE besides me...
|
Crafter
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 2:05 am: |
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Your wanting to build one OK, best bet is read alittle bit about recifiers and use good filter cap's I myself look at amperage. I like big fat heavy transformers. I have never been able to build a nice one cheaper than I could buy it either but good learning experience my first was built from radio shack parts nice little 2 amp one. Think they have a book on them too thats were I learned.
346 my pyramid has a meter and I like to watch it too! Funny when it gets more draw than it can handle how it shuts down. |
Ca346
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 12:22 pm: |
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Crafter:
YUP! Learned about the "Pyramid shutdown", real quick...
Cuda:
Yes, I saw it also, but I'll stick with a retail purchase for a power supply. Too many scary stories out there about homemade power supplies unless you really know what you're doing. I DON'T... |
Dodgeman
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 1:01 pm: |
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Ca346 I have a Trip-Lite pr20 power supplie running my 2950. This is my first power supplie but I am happy with it got it from Copper.CEF 178 |
Ca346
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 5:39 pm: |
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Dodge:
Thanks. It's on my list.... |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 7:59 pm: |
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My supply has a 12 pound transformer,and 9 150 watt pass transistors,and a little 317t voltage reg.Bigbob |
Climber
| | Posted on Monday, January 26, 2004 - 1:26 am: |
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Has anyone tried the TRIPLITE's that COPPER carries? I've never seen one in person or know much about them?
Yes, the amp model.
Works great!
Climber |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1670
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 10:13 pm: |
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A ham friend of mine used a tripplite pr60 on his txstar dx350 pre-ham,no problems,Ca346,if you really want that kl500 to sing get a tripplite pr50,40 amps continuous,piece of cake,then you can run it on high and not fry anything,barracuda always buy a bigger P.S. than you think you'll ever need,because you'll need it.Bigbob |
Pig040
Intermediate Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 309
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 10:52 am: |
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Barracuda,
There is a guy down here who uses solar power to run his radios. He has a bank of batteries to run his whole station. He always sounds great. He is in the process of putting up panels to run his whole house with a combination of wind and solar power. He lives in the mountains, and has no shortage of either. |
Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346
Post Number: 616
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 6:30 pm: |
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BigBob:
If I'm looking at the right ones on COPPER, ... There's no meters on them! It means an extra purchase in addition to the PS.... |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 1669
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 7:13 pm: |
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Well, I have never had a problem with Power supplies having meter's as I have NEVER trusted the Meter's in Power Supplies.
Use a GOOD Volt / Ohm Meter and you know EXACTLY what your power supply is doing.
Just my 2 cent's worth.
Lon
Tech808 |
