rackmount power supply

[FF/EMT/KC2NFB]

im looking for a rackmount PS.

1. needs to be adjustable from around lets say 9-15 volts DC

2. no less then 40 no more than 50 AMPS

3. AMP and VOLT meters preferably digital

any sugestions?

[RFguy]

http://www.astroncorp.com/linear.shtml

RM-50M

19" RACK MOUNT POWER SUPPLIES with Separate Volt and Amp Meters

CONTINUOUS ICS Size (IN) Shipping
MODEL Duty (Amps) (Amps) H x W x D Wt. (lbs.)

RM-12M 9 12 5 1/4 x 19 x 8 1/4 16
RM-35M 25 35 5 1/4 x 19 x 12 1/2 38
RM-50M 37 50 5 1/4 x 19 x 12 1/2 50
RM-60M 50 55 5 1/4 x 19 x 12 1/2 60

[railtrailbiker]

Our linear rack mounted Astron 50A supply started to crap out after about 10 years of medium duty use. My partner replaced a rectifier diode, but it crapped out again in less than 6 months.

I bit the bullet and replaced it with a Duracomm switching power supply. It was a lot easier on my back bringing it up to the repeater site. So far, so good.

http://www.duracomm.com/

[Tom in D.C.]

Rectifier diodes should never, or at least very rarely, die in service if they're
sized right and bypassed correctly with a resistor and capacitor. Not spending the lousy few cents it costs to bypass them in mass production is the main reason
they quit. Size 'em right and bypass 'em right and they'll go on forever.

Been there and done it many times. It's usually the first thing I look at, and
then fix, on new units.

And I've had better luck with Astron switching supplies than I have with their
backbreaker transformer supplies for some reason or other. Maybe because
components are so much more critical in the switching supplies?

[Bruce1807]

I just put a duracomm 70 amp suppy in to run our EOC
It was a choice between Duracomm or Newmar, especially if it's critical
Check out the power supplies at

http://www.tessco.com

[FF/EMT/KC2NFB]

i was looking at the duracomm. i think i will go with that.

thanks to all for the info.

[fineshot1]

I too have a liking for the switching supplies - I like the IOTA supplies and if you need the meters you could order a Duracomm meter/distribution panel. However FF/EMT/KC2NFB's number 1 on the list is "adjustable" and I dont think these supplies qualify on that requirement(correct me if i am wrong).....

[FF/EMT/KC2NFB]

the RM series is adj. between 11-15 v. normaly set from the factory to the standard 13.8v. i need to adj. to 14.10v because im using westmountain radio super power gate's and they need that voltage when using gell cell's.

[fineshot1]

the RM series is adj. between 11-15 v. normaly set from the factory to the standard 13.8v. i need to adj. to 14.10v because im using westmountain radio super power gate's and they need that voltage when using gell cell's.

Then the IOTA supplies would be perfect. They have a small telco style jack and when the shorting plug is plugged in they shift from 13.6VDC to 14.2VDC for charging purposes, or you can purchase one with the IQ4 option which is a built in smart charger option. You can also purchase an external IQ4 smart charger option for IOTA supplies that do not already have it built in and plugging this into the telco jack controls the smart charging process. I would keep an eye on ebay as there are many sellers that sell these at a better price than buying from one of the IOTA distributors....

EDIT: Sorry - not sure if they sell any rack mountable supplies.

http://www.iotaengineering.com/

[kb0nly]

I too use an Iota DLS-55, it's a 55amp continuous duty rated supply and i have the optional IQ4 smart charger module.

It may not be a rack mountable supply out of the box but it's meant to be wall hanged or mounted in any position using the tabs on either end of the case. Wouldn't be too hard to take a blank rack mount panel and just bolt this Iota to the backside of it.

When using it with the power gate just put the jumper plug in to run the supply at 14.2 and your set. A heck of a lot cheaper than any other option available. I have $180 into this Iota and IQ4, the power supply itself was only $150.

[kb0nly]

Go to:

http://www.solarseller.com

He also sells them on ebay and is very helpful, username for him is solarsellerdotcomwebsite

DO NOT buy from the seller using the name associated1 on ebay who also sells Iota. I bought from him and had some major issues with this A$$. I talked to the sales manager at Iota and wasn't too surprised to learn they had other complaints against him as well.

[fineshot1]

Thanks Scott for that usefull info. Just to clarify - You can rack mount these IOTA supplies if you dont mind doing a little drilling and minor custom work. I have mounted them on a 7" high rack mount panel and they just fit. Add a heavy duty terminal stip with shorting bars and some heavy cable to the supply and presto. If you want the current & voltage meters you can order the distribution panel with meters from Duracomm and run the cables to it......