I have been using the Omni VI and Herc II with 9420 package for over 12
years.
During casual operation I use the 9420 to run everything. I t runs warm to
the touch. On occasions I will run hard in a contest, etc. for about 4
hours. The 9420 will heat the entire room and you surely cannot hold on to
it. For this reason I purchased a separate TT power supply for use during
high demand operation. I have also considered using fans. I also have the
Autocoupler. I plan on using this rig for many more satisfying years. I
am curious if this heat issue is pretty much what others experence. Thanks,
(((73))) Bob K4BG
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown@verizon.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 8:46 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Hercules II / 9420 high duty cycle
Hi all,
I used my Hercules II and 9420 power supply in the ARRL DX contest this
weekend. The amplifier worked great, never showing any signs of strain
or overheating. The 9420 power supply got quite hot. It is powering only
the Hercules II. I am using a separate 961 to power the Omni VI exciter.
The specifications for the Hercules II says: Duty Cycle CW/RTTY - 50%
duty cycle continuously. The specifications sheet for the 9420 says
nothing about duty cycle. The power supply seemed to be getting too hot
to continue, so I gave it a break. I used just my hand to feel the
temperature, no instruments were used to measure the temperature. My
9420 sits on the floor with two or three inches of clearance on all
sides for air flow. I am running it from 240 VAC. Before I use it again
for high duty cycle operation, I feel that I need to improve the cooling
of the 9420, probably by adding a fan or two. I am interested to hear
from anyone who has used the Hercules II and 9420 in a contest or other
high duty cycle operation. Is my experience with the power supply
heating typical? Has anyone mounted a fan on a 9420? I am thinking about
fabricating a new top panel, since it is the simplest part of the
chassis and has nothing mounted to it, and mounting a fan on it.
Thanks for any sage advice,
Ken N6KB
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