[TenTec] DC Power Supply Backup

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Hi Bill:

      What you plan is great and works well, be sure and place a 25 to 30
amp
diode in series between the power supply and the battery.  the Astron power
supply has what is called a crow bar circuit.  If this circuit activates
because
of a line surge or overload, this would create a direct short across the
battery
and you would have a melted battery.  The Astron is fused only on the
input and not the output.
   It is very important that you use a 30 amp fuse or diode between the
power supply and battery. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT OR YOU
MAY BURN DOWN THE HOUSE....Get a fuse at least.

Voltage setting.
For standard deep cycle marine batteries, or golf cart battery
set the Astron for 13.5 volts dc output (this adjustment is internal in the
Astron).

For sealed gel cell batteries, set voltage to 13.8 volts dc.

Use of a standard car battery is not recommended.  The deep cycle
marine battery will work very well.  (Like used on trolling motors for
fishing)

You will have a very large capacity UPS power system, and it works well.

If the crowbar circuit ever fires, just unplug the power supply for about 30
seconds
and this safety circuit will re-set.

Ed  K7DXV  ewell2 at cvc.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Tippett" <btippett at alum.mit.edu>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 8:02 AM
Subject: [TenTec] DC Power Supply Backup


> I've ordered an Orion and for the first time will be
> using an outboard DC supply (a used Astron RS-35M
> is on the way).  I often get short power glitches since I am
> in a rural location and am concerned about getting resets
> on Orion since I understand it takes awhile to reboot (how
> long?)  I'm thinking of getting a small battery (motorcycle)
> to place between the RS-35M and Orion.  This would stay
> fully charged and might help prevent unwanted resets by
> brief power glitches.
>
> Has anyone ever done anything like this?  Is it even
> necessary or is there enough residual energy in the PS
> filter caps that brief interruptions (typically <10 sec) are not
> a problem?  I  don't really want to buy a UPS large enough
> to power Orion but is there a simpler solution?
>
> 73,  Bill W4ZV
>
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