Re: [TenTec] ten tec centurion II

[Ken Brown <ken.d.brown@verizon.net>]

Hi John,

I do not own that amplifier or have a specification sheet for it. 
However most of what you ask can be estimated just based what I do know 
about the amplifier. Since it is a pair of 3-500 I would expect you can 
get maybe 1200 watts CW out of it. Since it is a linear amplifier the 
plate efficiency is probably around 60%. Factoring in the power to run 
the filaments and fans and pilot lamps and other control systems, lets 
just guess that the overall efficiency is about 50%. So when it is 
putting out 1200 watts key down CW it will consume 2400 watts from the 
AC power mains. This would be 20 Amperes at 120 Volts AC or 10 Amperes 
at 240 Volts AC. Whether you can get full power from it running on 120 
Volt AC depends on a number of things. 1) Whether the amplifier's power 
transformer has dual primaries or some other scheme which allows it to 
be wired for 120 VAC, I expect that it does and somebody who owns one 
can tell you for sure. 2) whether the 120 volt circuit you have it 
plugged into has sufficiently sized conductors so that the voltage drop 
while drawing 20 Amps is not too much. 3) the electric power service 
capacity and loading at your house.

You would probably be happier with the performance running it from 240 
VAC. If you do not have a dedicated service outlet for the amplifier in 
your shack, then chances are all of the outlets in the shack are 
connected to the same circuit breaker, and all are on the same side of 
the 120/240 service. It is pretty common for homes to be built using 14 
gauge wire for everything except range/oven/dryer/heater services. I 
would not want the transceiver, computer, and amplifier all drawing 
current on one 14 gauge wire. If you need to run a new service to the 
shack anyway, it may as well be a 240 service with stout wire.

All of what I said above is only estimates. The principals are correct, 
the exact figures for power and efficiency may be not exactly correct.

Have fun, be safe.

73 DE N6KB

KB2HUK@aol.com wrote:

> Hi all !  I am thinking of buying a 3 year old TT centurion amp with gray 
> face .  Can any one tell me if I need to run this amp off of a 220 line to get 
> full power out put ?   can I use 110 what wattage should I expect on 110 house 
> current .   thanks   John
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