[TenTec] Omni V Maximum voltage

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

On Tue, 2008-02-05 at 03:38 -0500, Rick Denney wrote:
> Stuart Rohre writes...
> 
> > I would caution the poster to then, definitely NOT use the 15 volt
> > power supply if it is unregulated without some precautions or
> > additions.
> 
> If the power supply is reasonably stable under 20 amps of load, what
> about using a forward-biased rectifier to drop the voltage? For
> example, I see a Fairchild FFH50US60S diode which is rated for 50 amps
> continuous forward current, 200 watts of power dissipation, and will
> drop the voltage about a volt at 20 amps. That should get the output
> power within the safe range on an Omni V, or any other radio intended
> for mobile use. My alternators routinely put out 14.5 to 15 volts on
> startup, and my radios don't seem to mind, though I've never run my V
> from an alternator. An alternator may put out anything from 13 to 15
> volts in normal service, by my observation.
> 
> Rick, KR9D
> 
Altrnators that put out more than 14.2 volts cause batteries to have
short life.

73, Jerry, K0CQ