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-PM3-1...sin=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.