[TenTec] Hercules II / 9420 high duty cycle

[Bob Good]

I have been using the Omni VI and Herc II with 9420 package for over 12 
years.
During casual operation I use the 9420 to run everything.  I t runs warm to 
the touch.  On occasions I will run hard in a contest, etc. for about 4 
hours.  The 9420 will heat the entire room and you surely cannot hold on to 
it.  For this reason I purchased  a separate TT power supply for use during 
high demand operation.  I have also considered using fans.  I also have the 
Autocoupler.  I plan on using this rig for many more satisfying years.   I 
am curious if this heat issue is pretty much what others experence.  Thanks, 
(((73)))  Bob  K4BG
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown at verizon.net>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 8:46 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Hercules II / 9420 high duty cycle


> Hi all,
>
> I used my Hercules II and 9420 power supply in the ARRL DX contest this
> weekend. The amplifier worked great, never showing any signs of strain
> or overheating. The 9420 power supply got quite hot. It is powering only
> the Hercules II. I am using a separate 961 to power the Omni VI exciter.
> The specifications for the Hercules II says: Duty Cycle CW/RTTY - 50%
> duty cycle continuously. The specifications sheet for the 9420 says
> nothing about duty cycle. The power supply seemed to be getting too hot
> to continue, so I gave it a break. I used just my hand to feel the
> temperature, no instruments were used to measure the temperature. My
> 9420 sits on the floor with two or three inches of clearance on all
> sides for air flow. I am running it from 240 VAC. Before I use it again
> for high duty cycle operation, I feel that I need to improve the cooling
> of the 9420, probably by adding a fan or two. I am interested to hear
> from anyone who has used the Hercules II and 9420 in a contest or other
> high duty cycle operation. Is my experience with the power supply
> heating typical? Has anyone mounted a fan on a 9420? I am thinking about
> fabricating a new top panel, since it is the simplest part of the
> chassis and has nothing mounted to it, and mounting a fan on it.
>
> Thanks for any sage advice,
>
> Ken N6KB
>
>
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