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View Full Version : Cheaper power supply options



stang
05-31-2014, 08:31 AM
Just wondering what you all think of this for a base power supply? http://www.amazon.com/POWERMAX-PM3-100-CONVERTER-AUTOMATIC-BATTERY/forum/Fx13L66BAMX2OXR/-/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_dap_ql?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B008B13NIQ

Thanks

Tallman
05-31-2014, 06:38 PM
Hey Stang check out Megawatt power supplies. They are less expensive and the service is second to none.
For a 36 amp continuous @ 12 volts is less than $65.00 and rock solid. I have two of them and I run them daily and no problems. They have multiple models to chose from.

stang
06-01-2014, 06:56 AM
Thanks tallman. Not sure that 36 amp unit would handle both my radio and a 4 pill. Which I've got my eye on a Texas star 500. Their 80 amp unit is more than the 100 amp unit I posted. But two of the 36 amp units would be less. I'll have to thing about this. The bigger 100 amp unit could have other uses around here also. As we are off grid.

I was having some low voltage issues but moving 400 AH worth of batteries to the radio shack took care of that. In fact since I added all the extra battery power I have had lots of positive comments. Also that gainmaster antenna must work pretty well as everyone keeps asking how big and high my beam is. lol Funny thing is my antenna is still below the tops of the 4 trees it's centered in the middle of...

Tallman
06-01-2014, 06:25 PM
I have two of the 36 amp supplies and they are wired in parallel through a diode isolator. Need that isolator to keep the power supplies individual regulators from fighting for control. They share the load equally with out a glitch. My total system with the isolator was less than a $150.00. I have run six pill amps with out any voltage sag. It probably cost more the the bigger supply but I can chose to run one or both supplies as needed. Very little wasted electricity that way. John Marles is the person I deal with.

stang
06-02-2014, 06:19 AM
What kind (size) diode? Like a big battery charger diode?

Thanks

Tallman
06-02-2014, 08:41 AM
The Diode Isolator is used in Recreational Vehicles to isolate the engine starting battery from the 12 Vdc service battery. This allows the engine to charge both batteries when the engine is running. The one that Megawatt sells cost less than one you could build for yourself. I think the cost was like $30.00 and it comes assembled on a heatsink and it is ready to run. You can't buy the parts to build one for that price. If you buy the setup I'll tell how to adjust the power supplies to be sure that they both share load equally. It is easy to do. I ran a six pill unit for testing and repair and had no problems.

stang
06-02-2014, 04:26 PM
Thanks again Tallman!

On hold again as everything seems to be working well together after moving 400 AH worth of batteries in the shack. Trying to wait and see if I can scrape together the cash for a new inverter. It's past time to upgrade our power system here at the house. If I can get that done it opens up many other options for me. I also have a 45 amp converter / charger that needs new diodes. I found some on line today, so I may just fix that and use it for now.

How many watts is a six pill? 750?

222DBFL
06-02-2014, 05:43 PM
600-1200 watts depending on the drive. I had a 1 driving 6 long ago that would do about 1100-1200 if memory serves me correctly. There is an app for you phone that will convert voltage and wattage to amps. It helps with determining how many amps are needed.

Tallman
06-02-2014, 06:31 PM
I got 500 watts dead key. I was using his radio to drive it with and it wasn't hitting it too hard.

222DBFL
06-02-2014, 06:35 PM
500 dead key swing to 1200 i would say or close to it. Sound about right tallman??

Tallman
06-02-2014, 06:42 PM
I kept it down just a bit because the unit was a little suspect on the transistors. It was swinging up to around 700 watts. got good reports on it though.

222DBFL
06-02-2014, 06:43 PM
Yep better to loaf it if you think it's got any issues.

NY714
06-03-2014, 10:11 PM
Batteries.

stang
06-03-2014, 10:39 PM
Batteries.

Yep I'm running 3 AGM 134 AH batteries now and it's working out pretty well. But believe me them batteries ain't cheap. They are however some old ones I had not currently being used.

222DBFL
06-04-2014, 01:55 AM
Yep i had 2 150AH deka unigy 2 batteries in my old mobile setup, 400 dollars for each batt, not that I spent that much, perks of the job, but they provided 300AH on tap, ran a 2 pill driving an 8 pill, all stock alternator system in an 89 jeep Cherokee. Voltage sag was never ever an issue. But for a base setup you can't go wrong with the megawatt 400's. 36amps and adjustable voltage to 15v. My brother in law has had one for years and it works like a charm. For the money I don't think you will find a better unit. JMO. God bless.

NY714
06-05-2014, 10:45 AM
Yep i had 2 150AH deka unigy 2 batteries in my old mobile setup, 400 dollars for each batt, not that I spent that much, perks of the job, but they provided 300AH on tap, ran a 2 pill driving an 8 pill, all stock alternator system in an 89 jeep Cherokee. Voltage sag was never ever an issue. But for a base setup you can't go wrong with the megawatt 400's. 36amps and adjustable voltage to 15v. My brother in law has had one for years and it works like a charm. For the money I don't think you will find a better unit. JMO. God bless.

Thanks for the info, never realized the batteries could cost that much. Just goes to show you there is always something more to learn.

222DBFL
06-05-2014, 10:55 AM
Yes sir they are expensive check out deka unigy 2 150 AH batteries and you will see what the cost is. They are used in cell sites for the battery back up systems. A lot more than what I had. But 2 of those batts have me 300AH and with a stock alternator I was able to keep the voltage at 13.8vdc with the ac running and all while talking on the 8 pill. Rag chew I did. And never had to touch the gas lol. Those batteries were a beast. I wrecked the jeep long ago and had no use for the batts. Sold them. Now they are more expensive. I have also heard that Sears carries deka batteries and they have some pretty good ones that will handle some amp draw.
These are the ones I had but version 2. Same specs.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/06/ahepute5.jpg

stang
06-05-2014, 01:23 PM
Yep that's a hell of a battery. Check out the C&D High rate UPS batteries those are what I'm running. I tried finding a link but no luck.