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Reviews For: Astron SS-30/M

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron SS-30/M
Reviews: 98MSRP: 120 to $160
Description:
30 Amp Switching Power Supply (SS-30M with meters) (SS-30 no meters)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.astroncorp.com/switching-desktop
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00984
NM7H Rating: 2004-02-05
Minor Problems with RFI Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My Astron SS30M works well most of the time. However, I have had it shutdown several times because of RF getting into it. I am operating portable in the desert of Qatar and will be operating in Iraq, and I can't seem to get a decent ground. I also have a problem with the Amp Meter not working correctly. It will show only 2-4 amps when while I am key down on CW with about 100 watts out. It normally would show 15-20 amps. This was recently noticed when I hooked up a LDG Z-100 auto-tuner. With the tuner set next to the powersupply the Amp Meter does not work. Seems RF is getting into the powersupply and causing problems. Otherwise the powersupply works well. I do not notice any switching noise, but then I have a constant S2-S5 noise level due to proximity to some HV power transformers.
KC0OFZ Rating: 2004-01-18
Quite and dependable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Owned this PS for over a year and it has not once let me down. Quite and dependable with no hint of RFI on any band. Works hard and keeps cool. This power supply will work for years to come and is highly recommended!!!
K7NG Rating: 2003-08-29
Good job, Astron! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Not to repeat anything of previous reviews, with one exception.
I haven't heard anything in my radios that might be emanating from my SS-30.
The fan rarely comes on and I usually never know when it IS on. Very quiet.
I really would like to have some nice heavy bolt terminals for power, but you get used to the banana/screw-on terminals.
No significant voltage change, ripple increase, or anything else with varying load.

I had some reservations about trying a switcher, but I now think it can be a fine alternative to heavy analog regulated supplies.
WA9ENA Rating: 2003-06-20
Good value for the money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My wife has owned an Astron RS-20 for nearly 20 years and it has never missed a watt of output. I is abit of an anchor to lug around for portable and Field Day use, though, so I bought the SS-30M to ease the back pain. I have used it with multiple rigs on HF thru 70cm, and no hash noise problems so far. Summary:

Good points:
+ No hash (so far)
+ Lighted power switch
+ Robust output terminals
+ Output terminals accept standard banana plugs
+ Quiet ball bearing (I think) fan with thermostat control
+ Large dual ferrites on DC output leads (inside the case), which suppress noise on the main output, as well as on the fan and meter wires
+ Smooth power-up with no significant overshoot under light loads
+ Use of thru-hole parts means repair is possible by those skilled in electronics but lacking special SMT repair equipment
+ Chassis knock-outs provided for second set of output terminals

Not-so-good points:
- No schematic
- A 30 amp power supply should have more than 1 set of output terminals
- "Flying" connections of the meter cal pots appear weak and subject to possible breakage under shock or vibration when carrying the unit around

Owners should also be aware that the NEG (-) output terminal is connected directly to chassis, as is the 3rd wire of the AC power input connector. If Astron sells the output terminals as spare or repair parts, it would not be difficult to add a second set of terminals in parallel with the originals.

In all, a fine unit with only minor shortcomings.

W6CQA Rating: 2003-03-11
Not perfect but pretty good. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, this is my second Astron switching power suppy. I wrote the first review on the SS-25M back in 2001. Still have that one and it is working perfectly. Never had any RFI with it. I needed a little more power to run a 2 meter amp. The 25 amp version wasn't quite heavy enough to run both the exciter and amp. Thought I would try the 30 amp. version this time. Though I haven't had it very long, it seems to be working fine. Voltage regulation is good, with only 7 mv. drop, with 20 amp load. I like the lighted power switch, which the older units didn't have. Also like the screw attached bottom feet. My older SS-25M had the cheap stick on feet, that tend to move around, with time. The two power supplies have the same foot print but the SS-30M is somewhat taller. It also has a larger cooling fan, that takes advantage of the taller case. The fan is somewhat noisy, when it runs. It produces a kind of low frequency tone. It's not wind noise, but motor noise. Doesn't sound like bearings. Fortunately it doesn't run a lot. One big negative for me, is the output terminals. They are the plastic set screw type, that allows only one 10 gauge wire to be attached at a time. I don't understand Astron's thinking on this change. The standard 1/4 inch studs allow several wires to be attached simultaneously, using standard 1/4 inch ring connectors. Useing these set screw terminals will require a DC power strip, for connecting more than one device. In my case it worked out fine, since I purchased it for a dedicated supply for my amp. Cabinet fit and finish seems good, although I did notice a problem with the meter faces. They are not level. The voltmeter has more slope to it than the amp. meter. With both power supplies side by side, the older SS-25M has level meter faces. I haven't yet determined where the problem lies, but it appears the meter faces may have improperly drilled mounting holes, which places the faces in a somewhat twisted position. I was going to give it a 4 but after reconsidering the quality control problem with the meters and the poor output terminal design, I changed my mind.
KC0LRP Rating: 2002-07-27
had it more than 4yrs Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It sure beats the rs35m weight wise, haven't had any problems like some people have must be that qc was better in 1998. No rfi are anything like that best ps on the market 73's
K4ZA Rating: 2002-07-17
4.5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased lighter-weight supply for Caribbean contest trips. This little box goes right in the suitcase, next to the underwear...

Not my 1st experience w/switching supplies, or Astron. Mine has worked flawlessly--without hash, RFI, breakdowns, etc. Fan noise is not an issue--I'm wearing headphones. I might as well complain about the noise the birds make on the island.

re: service
ANY time you require help, I'd write a letter or telephone direct. Most electronic services/e-mail servers are swamped with lower priority requests. Spend a few pennies to help ensure you get the help you want.

Astron has always answered my requests for help w/info, schematics, etc. Would I buy an Astron again? Sure.
WB0E Rating: 2002-07-17
I must be the "Lucky" one Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm surprised to see all the positive reviews here. I guess I'm the "lucky" one :) I'm about to return my second SS-30! I purchased it with my IC-756PII. The first one had a flakey on-off switch that wouldn't stay on. In the second one they seem to have solved the fan noise problem others have mentioned. In fact the fan doesn't work at all causing the supply to overheat and shut down. I learned this in the middle of a QSO!!!!!

I'm very leary of exchanging it, maybe the $200 extra dollars for the ICOM supply would be worth it.....

KAC
WB0E
WA8SUA Rating: 2002-05-03
Good - But RF Sensitive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently acquired this unit with a Yeasu FT-817. Found that on transmit on 2 meters that the unit is sensitive to RF feedback through the power cord. Symptoms are output voltage dropping to about 1.5 - 2 v upon activation of transmission on 2 meters. Since the FT-817 draws maybe 2.5 amps on xmit there was no way that the PS was being tripped by over-current. The problem appeared to be parasitic oscillation. The addition of the (Yeasu) supplied ferrite choke near the POWER SUPPLY not the RADIO cured the problem. This only happened on 146 mHz. The choke is supplied because of a reported problem on 430mHz, but to date I have not experienced this. Astron Tech suggested the addition of a 2200mfd 60v electrolitic and a .01 mfd ceramic on the inside of the case to supress the RF. Not being one to open anything un-necessarily I chose the external fix which appears to work just fine. A schematic for the unit, along with some type of operating instructions which would point to failures such as this would be appreciated.
N6VUJ Rating: 2002-03-09
Another Winner From Astron! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Another Winner From Astron!

Well after all it is an Astron!!!