|
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 MFJ 1128.
|
KH6OZ
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Apr 4, 2009 14:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Problems noted
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Hooked the unit up to my batteries from my solar panel and and rig says 13.4V and the MFJ-1128 says somewhere in the area of 10 volts. So I would say the meter is not calibrated. The first Anderson connecter does not seem to connect properly. It powers the Rig but very easily comes disconnected. The other connectors I've tried so far do not.
|
|
W6LBV
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Aug 28, 2008 11:40
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Reserve It Until It’s Needed!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I am not a strong fan of MFJ; they certainly have had quality control issues and they deserve much of the criticism they receive. But not for this product!
I have had the 1128 in service as the centerpiece of my [home station] 12 volt d.c. power distribution network, serving five transceivers, five additional receivers, and related peripheral equipment, for about four years. I found no problems in its construction when I inspected it on purchase day and none have developed in operation after that. It reliably does what it is designed to do.
In contrast to the previous review, I found existing mounting holes for the unit both in the product itself (and I am using them for mounting it) and in the photograph at the top of this product review page.
Operationally, replacement of the individual fuses is a bit difficult but hardly impossible. It is possible when removing or inserting a fuse, most of which sits inside the metal case, to short a fuse lug to the case ground and thus to blow a main fuse in the 1228. However, I just remove power to the strip whenever changing fuses and have no problems. I use a long nose pliers or forceps to aid in fuse changing, and that solves the removal/insertion problem.
I appreciate the use of automobile fuses in the 1128; they are easy to find and cheap to buy in bulk.
I removed the ring terminal connectors originally supplied at the end of the 1128's input cable and replaced them with 30 Amp Powerpoles (all my Powerpole connectors are crimped with the recommended West Mountain crimper as per the directions and are not soldered). The OEM large ring terminals seemed adequate, but they didn’t fit my station design. After change-out I’ve never looked back.
So that there is no uncertainty about this product: the entire power distribution network --- including the MFJ 1128, numerous cables terminated with Powerpole connectors, an Astron RM-35M linear power supply, a WestMountain PowerGate PG-40S charge regulator/switch, and a deep cycle storage battery — has provided 100% performance on a 7/24 hour basis for more than four years. Other than for occasional routine maintenance, I never think about the network. What else remains to be achieved by the 1228?
MFJ products certainly do have some design and many construction deficiencies, but let's reserve the criticism for the MFJ products that really warrant it! The MFJ 1128 is not a major offender.
|
|
W4MLO
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Aug 27, 2008 19:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
ABSOLUTE MFJ UNK!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have been dumped before but this takes the cake. I purchased this product new at a hamfest in Dalton Ga. I did not get around to unboxing it for a few months but when I did, boy was I surprised.
Here are my issues:
1. There are no mounting holes in the strip.
2. The fuses are near impossible to replace.
3. The crimp on connectors are crap, After buying MFJ's $30 crimper they do not fit the plastic sleves properly, they are loose even when soldered.
4. They are not capable of conducting any appreciable current without breaking contact at the least bump or touch of the wires.
Save your money!
73 de milo W4MLO
|
|
K4PDQ
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Aug 18, 2008 16:40
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Mighty Fine Junction Box
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I received my MFJ-1128 today and as with most items from MFJ, I decided to check out the QC. This box looked very good with solid construction inside and out. The only thing I had to do was adjust (calibrate) the DC volt meter (reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5). With 13.8 volts in, it was reading 10 volts. The adjustment was easy with a single pot inside the case. The Anderson Power Poles are a great improvement over binding posts. If you are looking for a good DC power outlet strip, I recommend this one.
|
|
K7VO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 12, 2004 14:36
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
MFJ got it right with this one
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I am not a big fan of MFJ products. The 1128 is an excellent exception and proof that MFJ can get it right. The 1128 is basically a knock-off of the West Mountain Radio RigRunner 4012 with a few important improvements. It is a DC power strip with 12 Anderson Power Pole connections. A very heavy cable ending in a round terminal lug is used to attach the strip to your power supply. Maximum total current is 40 amps. A voltmeter is included, something lacking on the RigRunner. You also get nine switched and three unswitched outlets.
I haev come to expect poor workmanship from MFJ. They seem to have learned from their experience. This power strip is well made and well finished. No worries about quality with this one.
Unlike the RigRunner, MFJ provides clear instructions on everything, including how to put together the PowerPoles. Guess what? It's not that hard. One thing for certain: don't crimp the terminals. MFJ makes it clear that soldering is mandatory for wire smaller than 12 ga., and honestly, you really need to solder all of them. The terminals have to go into the plastic part and snap into place, They only do so if inserted just right. Change the shape of the terminals and "just right" becomes nearly impossible. If you do it right the connection is snug.
What an improvement over binding posts! I can see why Anderson Power Poles are now the ARES/ARRL standard. Plugging in a radio is no harder than plugging a toaster into a wall socket, and unplugging and changing things around is equally easy.
MFJ saw the complaints about the West Mountain product and made sure they solved them. This is the first MFJ product I can truly recommend highly.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
