12 volt power supply replacement

[Jim202]

This may be a little off topic, but effects many of us in the service area. Being as Astron seems to be having
quality control problems with their SS-30M units of late, do any of you have a recommendation of a rack
mounted supply that will deliver 30 amps average current. Would be nice to have meters, but guess I
could live without them if there was no other choice. The rack space is 3 1/2 inches high for those that will ask.

Jim

[MSS-Dave]

How about a DuraComm RM5012M? 36A continuous and 50 peak. You can get it metered or not. I don't have this exact model but I have quite a number of RM2524 and 5024 supplies out there running amps on 900. Not ONE failure in 5+ years since we changed them out. No failure = happy repair guy (unless you get to charge for your time)!

Dave

[tvsjr]

Of course the Duracomm is 2.5X the price of the Astron. Jim - what sort of quality control problems have you seen? I know several people who use a large number of those supplies (specifically the dual SS-30 rack mount unit) with nary a problem...

[Jim202]

The main issue I have seen is the output has come wired backwards on several of them. Red is negative and
black is positive. Then we have had some come in with the power switches installed backwards. When it says
on, it really is off. The lighted meters are coming so that it's a roll of the dice if they are wired up or not.
The back panels by the output terminals are showing up bent and pushed in. i should not have to remove
these supplies from the mounting panel, remove the cover and bend the rear panel back into shape before
I even get to use them.

This is not what I call quality control. The problems with the supplies should never got out the door of the plant.
I have had it with them and as such, looking for something to replace them with. Have always been an Astron
supporter. Have always liked their product, but this has gone on for a while now and it takes them forever to
even attempt to resolve it. I don't have the time to waist on this foolishness. We probably average ordering
4 of the dual units a month. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Jim

Of course the Duracomm is 2.5X the price of the Astron. Jim - what sort of quality control problems have you seen? I know several people who use a large number of those supplies (specifically the dual SS-30 rack mount unit) with nary a problem...

[n7maq]

We use a lot of the Duracomm units without any problems. We would not put an Astron anywhere that was not within a sort distance form the shop, you know you will be replacing the Astron at some time.

That is sad to hear about the problems you are seeing, Astron used to be a very good product with great customer service. I had an issue with a 35 amp unit I use for my ham stuff, and they were quick to send me the parts at no cost, and the unit was 6 months out of warranty. I asked about getting meters to upgrade it to a RS-35M and they even sent the meters, and a template to cut from, all at no charge!! That was close to 15 years ago, and that supply is still ruining, but the most it ever has to put out is around 25 amps.

Jim

[tvsjr]

Wow, that's terrible. Maybe I can understand a bent-up panel from shipping damage, but outputs wired backwards? Switches wired backwards? That's inexcusable.

I haven't purchased any recently but no one I know of has seen similar issues... I suspect I'll hear about it if it keeps up.

[Tom in D.C.]

The Astron problems described MUST be the result of unhappy assembly employees taking their frustrations out on the product, plus obviously inoperative quality control. Let's hope someone from Astron sees this thread and corrects the problems.