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Author Topic: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio  (Read 387 times)

K1KIM

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Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« on: December 02, 2022, 05:10:39 PM »

I have a  NIB Kenwood PS-50 that I would like to use to power a non-Kenwood radio in lieu of buying another linear PS. This in another shack where I do not have my RS-35M.

The prewired supply cord with the Molex connector is rated for 20A continuous for 1 hour whereas the screw terminals are only rated for 16A. I can't seem to find out if those are continuous as well.

The transceiver I am looking to power requires 20 to run 100W according to the specs which are somewhat vague. The radio output is 50W CW, FM and AM and 100W SSB. Of course SSB is never a continuous carrier, though requires stated power at full modulation peaks I would presume.

The question is where to find the equivalent of the chassis side of the Kenwood Molex plug and then attach the other radio's plug to the opposite end.

Welcome to other suggestions not requiring me to cut the original plug off the PS-50.



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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2022, 05:57:32 PM »

How about:
https://www.amazon.com/molex-6-pin-connector/s?k=molex+6+pin+connector
or:
https://www.ebay.com/b/Molex-Wire-Cable-Connectors-6-Pins/260835/bn_114860411

Unfortunately it is impossible to tell the size or fit as the exact same connector on the back of the Kenwood radio. TS-140 or TS-430-440 chassis plug should be the one that works.

Buying on eBay or Amazon is just guessing.
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WA2EIO

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2022, 07:10:05 PM »

Understood.   If it is still available, how about getting  the  chassis connector from Kenwood, and adapt it to the new rig's power cable?  Admittedly a  bit clunky, but that way you would be sure it mates correctly.  Something like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265388453756?hash=item3dca626f7c:g:oFcAAOSwGAViD-cf&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsLMUu4fwoZ%2BTLw6iZ3RAib7zdyUu9aBwo77NEXPQGbIOM3%2FY5RGCeY5dJad4GfsytjUQxDkCPYr0g1n8yvSit0UWKoYb3CjtnSaSIN5oT8H9kWrUDiNcPWjXvK9K3H8G31cDxdjs%2B3lA3TxUJ8lS4Zt%2B1ryJ3%2F1fc8oFYErA6Kme4tr6uoMbs7NTjTJ69da%2FnwsxHq64q2z%2Fan17ZLvR3n65FthR0aD153KoVzxZ52sh%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5qFut-aYQ
« Last Edit: December 02, 2022, 07:12:48 PM by WA2EIO »
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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2022, 07:36:56 PM »

Understood.   If it is still available, how about getting  the  chassis connector from Kenwood, and adapt it to the new rig's power cable?  Admittedly a  bit clunky, but that way you would be sure it mates correctly.  Something like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265388453756?hash=item3dca626f7c:g:oFcAAOSwGAViD-cf&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsLMUu4fwoZ%2BTLw6iZ3RAib7zdyUu9aBwo77NEXPQGbIOM3%2FY5RGCeY5dJad4GfsytjUQxDkCPYr0g1n8yvSit0UWKoYb3CjtnSaSIN5oT8H9kWrUDiNcPWjXvK9K3H8G31cDxdjs%2B3lA3TxUJ8lS4Zt%2B1ryJ3%2F1fc8oFYErA6Kme4tr6uoMbs7NTjTJ69da%2FnwsxHq64q2z%2Fan17ZLvR3n65FthR0aD153KoVzxZ52sh%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5qFut-aYQ

That was my alternative if I can't get a proper female 6 pin that matches the TS-430.

There might be other Kenwoods with the same chassis plug. I don't know.
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G4AON

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2022, 05:41:29 AM »

If you check the circuit, there are two sets of wires in parallel on the Molex plug, just single wires to the rear terminals. Both are fed from the same point. You could add wires in parallel to the terminals to increase the current carrying capacity of the wiring, although it might be the screw terminals that are only rated at 16A.

A 20A linear power supply is marginal in terms of powering a 13.8V 100W radio, many of which mention 23A or even 25A.

There doesn’t appear to be any over Voltage protection in the PS-50 either, so if the pass transistors fail your transceiver is toast.

Can you not sell it and buy a more rugged supply, and one with proper over Voltage protection? A NIB PS-50 would likely sell for enough to cover a better engined Astron PSU.

73 Dave
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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2022, 08:06:28 AM »

If you check the circuit, there are two sets of wires in parallel on the Molex plug, just single wires to the rear terminals. Both are fed from the same point. You could add wires in parallel to the terminals to increase the current carrying capacity of the wiring, although it might be the screw terminals that are only rated at 16A.

A 20A linear power supply is marginal in terms of powering a 13.8V 100W radio, many of which mention 23A or even 25A.

There doesn’t appear to be any over Voltage protection in the PS-50 either, so if the pass transistors fail your transceiver is toast.

Can you not sell it and buy a more rugged supply, and one with proper over Voltage protection? A NIB PS-50 would likely sell for enough to cover a better engined Astron PSU.

73 Dave


The radio is a 6M all mode, but the CW,FM and AM are only 50W. SSB is 100W.

The radio specs state 20A PSU.

I already have a Astron RS-35M for my other shack that I don't want to move.

I might just use one of the switching PSU's I've built, though allare dedicated to various radios at this point. I need to reorganize!!
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N5XJT

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2022, 08:28:05 AM »

Suggestion:  SAMLEX
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AD7VO

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2022, 08:48:34 AM »

Powerwerx has radio connectors, both chassis mount and cord mount.
I believe they would be able to provide what you need.
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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2022, 09:00:41 AM »

Suggestion:  SAMLEX

Not looking to buy a PSU. Just looking for a connector.
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KD6VXI

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2022, 11:33:38 AM »

I have a Kenwood TS440 amp board I just purchased.  It came with the entire rear end of the radio. As such, it has all the connectors still on it.

I will not be using the molex power  connector... It's free to you, with a caveat......

I'm sitting at the airport right now getting ready to go to a funeral back in the states.  I'll be gone a week.

If you can wait a week, like I said, it's yours, for free.  I'll leave however long wiring I can from the molex connector to wherever it goes on the board.

If you want it, email me.  My_call@gmail.com   I plan on building an external amplifier with the amp and low pass filter boards.

Hope this helps.


--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

Use my WP call for the email.
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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2022, 12:05:18 PM »

I have a Kenwood TS440 amp board I just purchased.  It came with the entire rear end of the radio. As such, it has all the connectors still on it.

I will not be using the molex power  connector... It's free to you, with a caveat......

I'm sitting at the airport right now getting ready to go to a funeral back in the states.  I'll be gone a week.

If you can wait a week, like I said, it's yours, for free.  I'll leave however long wiring I can from the molex connector to wherever it goes on the board.

If you want it, email me.  My_call@gmail.com   I plan on building an external amplifier with the amp and low pass filter boards.

Hope this helps.


--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

Use my WP call for the email.

Email sent. Thanks. Very kind of you.
Safe travels.
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N2SR

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2022, 12:08:36 PM »


A 20A linear power supply is marginal in terms of powering a 13.8V 100W radio, many of which mention 23A or even 25A.

73 Dave[/color]


The radio specs state 20A PSU.


Someone over on another three letter message board started a thread that went multiple pages because he "had a problem" with his Flex 6400 crashing.  The thread moved from RFI issues to computer issues and everything in-between, with the OP dismissing suggestive help.  Someone suggested using another power supply.  The OP stated that the power supply he was using was good, and that he had used it on other radios with no issues.  People asked what kind of power supply.  He initially did not provide that information, though he contacted Flex, but then it was finally revealed:  he was using a 20A power supply. 

Flex offered to buy back the 6400 or trade him a 7300 "for his trouble."  Maybe they realized he wasn't smart enough to use their radio.

This same individual has claimed that he was a "broadcast engineer," but is constantly asking for help with hollow state equipment.  In the process of people trying to help him, he berates them and typically provides little to no diagnostic information, even when asked to do so. 



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K1KIM

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2022, 12:40:40 PM »


A 20A linear power supply is marginal in terms of powering a 13.8V 100W radio, many of which mention 23A or even 25A.

73 Dave[/color]



The radio specs state 20A PSU.


Someone over on another three letter message board started a thread that went multiple pages because he "had a problem" with his Flex 6400 crashing.  The thread moved from RFI issues to computer issues and everything in-between, with the OP dismissing suggestive help.  Someone suggested using another power supply.  The OP stated that the power supply he was using was good, and that he had used it on other radios with no issues.  People asked what kind of power supply.  He initially did not provide that information, though he contacted Flex, but then it was finally revealed:  he was using a 20A power supply. 

Flex offered to buy back the 6400 or trade him a 7300 "for his trouble."  Maybe they realized he wasn't smart enough to use their radio.

This same individual has claimed that he was a "broadcast engineer," but is constantly asking for help with hollow state equipment.  In the process of people trying to help him, he berates them and typically provides little to no diagnostic information, even when asked to do so.

And the point of your rather long post is..................?

My initial post asked where to find a certain connector, not what PSU I need or should use. Nor do I claim to know everything or claim to be an engineer.  I just wanted suggestions as to a connector.

I find it amazing how threads get hijacked to an entirely different subject so many times.

My quest has been fulfilled. Thanks Shane.

« Last Edit: December 03, 2022, 12:42:56 PM by K1KIM »
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N2SR

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Re: Kenwood PS-50 20A Output Conversion to Power Non-Kenwood Radio
« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2022, 01:11:44 PM »


And the point of your rather long post is..................?

My initial post asked where to find a certain connector, not what PSU I need or should use. Nor do I claim to know everything or claim to be an engineer.  I just wanted suggestions as to a connector.

I find it amazing how threads get hijacked to an entirely different subject so many times.

My quest has been fulfilled. Thanks Shane.

Is today your first day on the internet and first post on a message board?   Threads drift.  Get used to it. 

Good luck with your project.
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