Batboard

Hi all,
I have a repeater that needs a "shack" to go into. There is only one repeater, and a handfull of associated electronics. Any ideas for building a small, low-cost "repeater shack" to sit at the base of the tower?

I also need ideas as to how to heat (winter) and ventillate (summer) the structure, and on a battery backup system.

Thanks
RadCom

If the station will be installed outdoors, I'd strongly recommend spending what it takes for a commercial weatherproof enclosure.

As for backup, if you search the archives for "Heart Interface" you will find one discussion.

Most PS-grade stations (e.g., Quantar) don't need either heat or cooling, per se, and so long as the batteries are properly floated, they don't need heat either. However, depending on location, AC may be in order to keep humidity within reasonable limits.

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean when you refer to the batteries being properly "floated"? I've never heard that term before.

Thanks
RadCom

DDB Unlimited makes good stuff. The also offer heating and AC units should either be required.

http://www.ddbunlimited.com/

We have had pretty good luck with the concrete sewer "boxes" they come in several sizes, and usually the contractors that make them are used to putting water proof doors or hatchs in them. Often cheaper than the fiberglass ones. Also more bullet resistant.

I'll second the vote for the DDB enclosures. They are about all that I use for both indoor and outdoot enclosures. The quality has never let me down, so I am a happy customer.

Jeff

If the batteries are connected to a proper charger, then after passing through the "bulk" and "acceptance" stages, the charger will go into "float" mode. In that mode, its output is voltage regulated at a level (at about 13.4 @ 75 degrees F for flooded cells and about 13.7 @ 75 degrees F for gel cells) that will effectively offset shelf discharge but not otherwise impose current on the batteries, while carrying any DC load to which the batteries are attached (as a battery eliminator). This will keep the batteries at a specific gravity equal to "fully charged," at which point they will not freeze until you get much colder than you are going to experience anywhere in North America.

Note that one cannot trust battery charger literature and claims; there are a lot of chargers out there that claim to be "float" chargers, but they are actually current regulated (usually around 100 to 500 mA). Such chargers allow battery voltage to rise sufficiently above a true float point that they batteries gas and, as a result, die. A true float charger can be left on the batteries for years without any negative effect.

There are a number of standalone chargers that employ a proper charge regimen, including a true float mode. The most common is the StatPower line. Most "battery charger" functions that are built into repeaters (including that in the Quantar) are current regulated devices and, therefore, are unacceptable.

Just finished this today....

VERY NICE set-up chtucker...

That is a DDB enclousure if I am not mistaken.

Whats inside?

two daniels vhf conventional repeaters, 3 Group 27 batteries, morningstar charge controler, celwave antenna, and 2 bp solar 80 watt panels. I literally finished it today and will putting on the mtn tomorrow 13,130 feet