|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Ten-Tec Centaur.
|
W0BKR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 23, 2003 13:49
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amp!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I have had my amp for some time now. At 500-600 watts output, I find I can work anything that I want as compared to my 1KW amplifier. I don't think I have ever missed a contact, 160-10.
Very cleanly layed out unit, small foot print. Fan is a bit louder, but it cools which to me is more important.
I have 811's in mine and a set of matched Taylor 572's for the day I need to replace the 811's. So far, haven't had a glitch!
|
|
WD9CMD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 6, 2003 13:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amp-Noisy Fan
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Purchased this amp to give my Omni V a little more punch on SSB during poor band conditions. It certainly fills the bill...after...1)Replacing/slowing down a very loud fan, and 2)Replacing the 811a's with 572b's.
This rig was obviously designed for a low competitive price point when TT designed it, as such, they used low cost 811's. These tubes are not rugged enough to run 600w out. To be successfull with them, you will need to keep the drive down to 75-80w and keep output around 450-500w. It will then likely survive you. With the 572b's the rig will reach its potential and long survive its owner. Mine loafs along at 600w using 220 supply. It can do more, but I elect not to push the components past this level.
As to the fan, TT placed a very high capacity fan in the rig to keep the underdesigned 811's cooler. So, if you want to get rid of the fan noise, you should strongly thing about switching to the 572b's. The TT service is unique in todays world. That alone gives my rating a boost.
I'm now running chinese 572b's with good success. If you can pick one of these up under $500, grab it!!
|
|
N1DZ
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Oct 25, 2003 23:43
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amp
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Have this amp for over 5 years. Replaced the stock 811's with 572b Svetlana's and changed the blower to a Papst 25cfm. Ten-Tec should have done these modifications as the stock blower (>100cfm) is way to noisy and the 811's are being run beyond their specs. Power is a solid 600 watts with the 572b's and it runs very quiet now. Ten-Tec does not sell the Centaur anymore but if you can find one secondhand I can stronly recommend it as it is beautifully built. If you are looking for a half gallon amp you can not go wrong with this one.
|
|
VE7NI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 22, 2003 09:57
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Lucky to have one!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I just bought one which was in great condition. I replaced the 811A tubes with 572B's and rewired for 240V operation. (I found that the pilot lights dimmed and 500W output was about all it would produce when wired for 120V; very little light dimming and easy 500W output when wired for 240V.)
The QSK operation is superb as I have an Omni 6+ transceiver to drive the Centaur amplifier. Easy to tune, looks great on the desk. The fan IS noisy but it faces away from my operating position. Lots of "room to spare" running 572B tubes and I'm looking forward to years of fine use with this amplifier!
|
|
PA0FRI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 17, 2003 19:03
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Reliable
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
It is unwise to obtain 600W output using the 811A’s and exceding the ratings of the tubes. You have to pay attention during tuning up and reduce the level of a speech processor. I have seen holes burned through 811A plates. Fit three 572B’s and the amp will survive its owner. The 572B’s can tolerate much more abuse and output power. The transformer is a very hefty 1kW type so I added an extra tuned input circuit. The output power is increased to 750-800W.
The noisy fan is replaced with a 70.000h 28VDC Papst fan of the same size and slowed to whisper quiet with internal 14VDC. With a thermal relay and a voltage quadrupler the fan automatically switch to 28VDC.
|
|
KQ4KK
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Jul 2, 2003 13:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A Good amp
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I had one for 3 years. Worked good. Blown fuses were the only problem. The 811 replacement issue made me sell it. Noisy fan!
|
|
W9KX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 28, 2002 11:25
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good QSK medium power amplifier.
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I purchased my Centaur from Ten-Tec in the fall of 1996 and it is still in use today - some six years later. The amplifier is used mainly on CW from 80 to 10 meters. Since an antenna tuner is always used, the output SWR of the amplifier is always 1:1. It is driven by an Omni 6 (plus).
When I purchased the amplifier I knew that it was impossible to obtain 600 watts output power (600 watts 80-15, and 500 watts 160 & 10) using three 811As without exceeding the "absolute maximum ratings" for the 811As. More on this issue later.
First, I found I couldn't rely on the accuracy of the Centaur output wattmeter. (I use an external wattmeter that was calibrated against a Bird.)
Second, I had to replace the original 811As after three years of use. Again, I found that in order to obtain rated output, i.e. 600-500 watts, the tubes were at times pushed well beyond their ratings!
I replaced the 811As with three matched "RF PARTS/SVETLANA 572B"! (Note: 572B is a direct drop-in replacement for an 811A.) Using 572B resulted in the tubes LOAFING along at 600 watts - and also resulted in REDUCED drive requirements on the upper bands and with a REDUCTION in plate current!
Other than the internal wattmeter accuracy and replacing the tubes, the amplifier has operated FLAWLESSLY.
Dean, W9KX
|
|
KY6R
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 21, 2002 08:24
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A good value amplifier
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I was able to get one in "like new / mint" condition, with very low mileage.
It is as large as a desktop PC, and the fan is as noisy as a desktop PC's fan. I have mine on a very sturdy table, and its rubber legs seem to absorb any rattles. The fan keeps the tubes very cool - I see no problems there. But I only use the amp for short DX pileup busts, and only when I absolutely need it. So I am a light QRO user . . I probably wouldn't use it to ragchew on 75/80 or 40 . . .
I read the reviews here before I bought - so I have been forwarned about the wimpy switches. Same problem as my rotator control box - it has a wimpy set of switches - so I buy parts ahead of time!
If you can get one for $500 or less in mint condition and with the 10/12 meter board installed - you get a half gallon with QSK that is very well built for the $$$. I also called Ten Tec and they were willing to answer my questions - and promptly.
This is the third piece of Ten Tec gear I own - I think their value and quality and support is winning me over.
|
|
W0DC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 14, 2001 11:32
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent Value
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
The Centaur is an excellent value for a mid-power amplifier with coverage of 160 to 10 meters and full-QSK. Very unfortunate that tube availability problems caused Ten-Tec to halt production. If you run across a clean one, buy it!
|
|
K5VOA
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Feb 16, 2001 15:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amp - Especially After Quieting Fan
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I have had the Centaur about a year and found it to be reliable, easy to use, but with two problems: poorly engineered tube cooling and cheap toggle switches. I had to replace a failed switch after a few hours of use. Not enough problem for a warranty claim, but an annoyance. The fan noise is ridiculous! Obviously the cooling system was an afterthought or Ten-Tec had a cheap supplier of 100 CFM fans. I compared the Collins 30L1 with it's four 811As packed tight in a cabinet with small perforation and tiny hi-fi style fan. I am familiar with the 30L1 in military application and can attest to its 811A life & reliability. I replaced the Centaur fan with a 12VDC fan of the same size and slowed it to whisper quiet with a 100 ohm 5 watt wirewound pot adjusted to about 60 ohms. The new fan is externally powered (although 14VDC is available inside). I am now very pleased and I am sure the 811As will last a long time even though they run a bit warmer. There is still plenty of air moving and lots of convection air space. Even at a fan speed quieter than my Icom rig, the Centaur is cooler than the 30L1 reference standard. My Centaur is now up to my expectations.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
