Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Autek Research WM1 Power  (Read 178 times)

TPUB

  • Posts: 1
    • HomeURL
Autek Research WM1 Power
« on: September 15, 2020, 09:09:12 AM »

I just acquired a Autek Research WM1 without a power cord. The manual calls for a 12VAC at 15mA. 15mA seems very low, and I’m not having luck finding one. Would a 12VAC at a higher amperage than 15mA damage the unit?
Best regards all,
Logged

K0RS

  • Member
  • Posts: 1501
Re: Autek Research WM1 Power
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2020, 09:12:53 AM »

No, but the power supply is DC, not AC. The WM-1, like the Kenwood SW-2000, requires a center pin ground unlike most wall wart powered devices. 
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 09:23:05 AM by K0RS »
Logged
"90% of the people in a pile-up have no idea what's going on.  It's up to you to be in the remaining 10%."  *W9KNI*

WA2EIO

  • Member
  • Posts: 278
Re: Autek Research WM1 Power
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2020, 09:19:00 AM »

The wattmeter uses DC; what you read is probably the rating for an AC 'wall wart' power supply.   If you are running a station along with the meter, then I would just run a power lead from your DC power supply to the meter.   Just be sure of the polarity of the plug on the meter's end.   For some reason, some of the meters use a coaxial type power plug with the center positive, (considered the 'normal' configuration)  BUT some units had the center negative, and the shell positive, as  K0RS mentioned.   There was a sticker on the back of the meter warning if the center was negative, but it may not still be there.   To further confuse things, some of the meters used a mini phone plug, with the tip positive.  Be sure of which yours has!   

Once you get it in line, you will find that the meter works very well, and having immediate power and SWR readings on the two meters is a fine feature.  I find it easier to read the SWR that way than with cross-needle type meters.  (One of the ones I had used the center positive, and the other had the phone plug!)
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 09:23:25 AM by WA2EIO »
Logged

AE5SB

  • Member
  • Posts: 67
Re: Autek Research WM1 Power
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2020, 11:42:29 AM »

WA2EIO is correct, just hook it to your station power supply. the plug for the meter needs to be center positive
here read all about it   :)
www.pj2t.org › ccc › manual.autek.WM-1.wattmeter.pdf
73 es enjoy your meter
David - AE5SB
Logged

K0RS

  • Member
  • Posts: 1501
Re: Autek Research WM1 Power
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 12:42:33 PM »

WA2EIO is correct, just hook it to your station power supply. the plug for the meter needs to be center positive
here read all about it   :)
www.pj2t.org › ccc › manual.autek.WM-1.wattmeter.pdf
73 es enjoy your meter
David - AE5SB

The very link you post says "note that some WM-1a have jacks with the inner connector "+", most have the inner connector "-".  Further it states to check continuity to the chassis with the lead plugged in but NOT connected to power to determine which is correct in order to avoid damaging the meter.  I have owned this meter for years.  It's connected to my station power supply with the center pin ground.  I also have the original factory wall wart.  It is also center pin ground.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 12:44:39 PM by K0RS »
Logged
"90% of the people in a pile-up have no idea what's going on.  It's up to you to be in the remaining 10%."  *W9KNI*

K7JQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 2602
Re: Autek Research WM1 Power
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2020, 12:59:54 PM »


the plug for the meter needs to be center positive
here read all about it   :)
www.pj2t.org › ccc › manual.autek.WM-1.wattmeter.pdf
73 es enjoy your meter
David - AE5SB

NO! NO! BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, READ that PJ2T.ORG website on how to test for center negative or positive. I had two WM-1's, and they were both center negative.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up