On Wed, 2008-08-13 at 15:55 -0400, Rick Denney wrote:
> Dr. Gerald N. Johnson writes...
>
> > On Wed, 2008-08-13 at 09:17 -0700, David Cuttler wrote:
> >> ... If someone has a better idea, I am all ears.
> >>
>
> > Install a master switch for the whole hamshack. Then the wall wart works
> > simply and when you shut down, you open the master switch taking power
> > off all but the clock (or go to a battery clock, I compute one AA
> > alkaline every two years is cheaper than 3 watts 24/7/52). A good outlet
> > strip can be that master switch for a beginning.
>
> I just built a power cord using Powerpoles that plugs into my 12VDC
> power strip. I have a 961 power supply for the Omni V (primarily to
> get the over-current protection), but I use an Astron to power all my
> other 12-volt devices. When I'm not in the shack, the Astron gets
> turned off, which has the same effect as Jerry's advice above. My
> power cord for the 229 is just an RCA plug on one end and powerpoles
> on the other end, of course. I try to minimize my use of wall warts,
> just because I hate the things, and because my Astron probably has
> better regulation than most of them.
>
> I'm no fan of Ten Tec's use of RCA plugs for 12 volts. That seems to
> me asking for trouble as a result of an inattentive moment. I would
> prefer RCA plugs be used for at most line-level audio. I would hate to
> accidentally plug, say, my keyer into the 12VDC jack on the back of my
> Omni, and I'm just klutzy enough to make that mistake when fumbling
> around in the back of the rig. But I haven't done anything about it,
> heh, heh.
>
> Rick, KR9D
>
Since I use a better built supply than an Astron (a design of mine, all
linear but at 30 amps load it runs 85% efficiency where the Astron might
do 50% on a good day), I built up a special cable for my Corsair. I
mounted an automotive cube relay (12 volt coil contacts good for 30
amps) on the cable ant its controlled by the switch in the Corsair that
won't handle 20 amps. I wired a diode in series with the switch and
another across the coil. The two diodes are double reverse polarity
protection for the radio and the diode on the coil also provides
inductive kick protection for the switch.
I'm not a fan of powerpoles, because it was beat into me at Collins long
ago that one never depends on a plastic for a pressure contact, not even
hard plastic. (look up the dictionary definition of plastic). But that
is precisely what the power poles do. I use old style Jones 400 series
four pole plugs and jacks. They aren't easy to find, and are not compact
but they don't heat up or show much voltage drop and they don't depend
on plastic for contact pressure.
73, Jerry, K0CQ
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
|