| N3HSH |
Rating:      |
2014-04-09 | |
| 1990 Unit Still Going |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I am still using this power supply that I purchased back in 1990. Never had a problem with it, meters still work and are accurate. According to my trusty Fluke voltmeter, it is putting out 13.8 volts now just like it did 24 years ago.
Only recently has the unit started to hum a little. Does it regardless of being under load or idle. So guess it is time to do a little tinkering and see if I can remedy that. With all the resources on the web regarding these supplies, that shouldn't be too difficult. |
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| W6HVH |
Rating:      |
2014-03-01 | |
| Quick cheap repair |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've been using this power supply for about 17 years. 1 1/2 years ago it stopped working. I drove down to Astron in Irvine, CA. Four new power transistors (and a few other little things), 1 hour, and, get this, $20, it was fixed and working.
I'll buy another when I need it. Great customer service! |
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| WA4NUN |
Rating:      |
2013-06-18 | |
| Almost 10 Years |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Ohhh the horrror! Just checked after almost 10 years of mostly running 24/7 with two different DVOM's and had to adjust the meter for about .25 volts, and that is the worst thing that has happened to this PSU in almost 10 years. I also have had a model 12 for almost 25 years, a model 20 bought in like new condition about five years ago. All three are still cooking just fine. Oh yeah, linear is so non-green cuz it uses 10-15% more energy vs a noisy fan cooling, RF polluting switcher with a limited lifespan. This super green attitude is good when it really saves money, but how green is it to have replaced power supplies two or three times by now....and have rattling fans in your head at the same time?
Linear Supplies i.e. Astron work, not broke...do not need to fix them
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WA4NUN on 2007-01-02
RS 35 M is now starting it's fourth year on my Icom 718. So far, never burped, grunted, or groaned, and not having to listen to the blasted fans of many switched suplies out there, has been great. Until I see some hard core stats on ROI of My $149 that I paid for this supply when it was new with meters, no changes will be made.
In looking at the effective power savings of the switchers, it is is in the transmit mode, more than the recieve mode, when you get serious with the kwh sucking mode when you start talking about your power bill.
Since my transmit to recieve time is probably way less than 5%, I doubt that a switcher would save much on the juice bill, so I will stick with the linear supply.
If I led a lot of net control, where that ratio could go somewhat the other way, I would look into swtchers, maybe and maybe not. |
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| TF3JB |
Rating:      |
2013-06-11 | |
| The Astron RS-35M; an excellent power supply. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The Astron RS-35M; an excellent power supply.
I bought my Astron RS-35M power supply in 2011. Shortly before, I had sold off my HF transceiver and Diamond GSV-3000 linear power supply. Although I had always been pleased with that power supply for base station HF and VHF use, I decided to upgrade to Astron. The many problems other hams had experienced with dissimilar brand names of switching power supplies kept me from considering anything but a linear supply.
I ordered the RS-35M from R&L Electronics (in Ohio) and they contacted the manufacturer and made a special order for a 230VAC 50/60Hz [European] version of the supply. This took extra two weeks, since the guys at R&L only had the 115VAC domestic version in stock. Hence, the new RS-35M was in my hands within 3 weeks from confirming the order and it was in fact waiting in the shack when a new HF/50 MHz transceiver arrived.
In my case, I always want equipment and accessories that I buy (or build) to be functional, of good quality and if possible, nice to look at. In case of the RS-35M, I like the [rather] large black box design. The same goes for the placement, design and size of the current and voltage meters. And the illuminated on/off switch gives off exactly the right amount of brightness. I am also pleased with the size of the plastic feet and the overall finish. This unit gives off a feeling of quality and visiting hams notice it in the shack.
The RS-35M has now been in [almost] daily service over 2 years. I must say that I am extremely pleased with the performance. First of all, it is absolutely silent under all conditions; it feels like there is no transformer in there. And the supply is not tucked away, but rather up close to the operator as can be seen my web-page on QRZ.COM. The voltage is rock steady at 13.8 VDC (I have never had to change the internal setting). The transceiver I use draws a maximum of 23A so the RS-35M is within specifications (it can provide a maximum of 25A). I want to mention that I particularly like that the robust connectors are located at the back and also how easily accessible they are.
During times of heavy operating and in contests, the supply’s huge heat sinks (at the back) get very hot. Under such conditions even the front side of the supply gets warm when touched (although not hot). I have at times wondered whether the openings on top of the supply should be larger for it to be able to radiate more heat more rapidly (since there is no fan). These worries have though faded with time, since the RS-35M is well protected, i.e. with fold-back current limiting and overvoltage protection.
In closing, I must share my displeasure about one thing: The illuminated meters flicker on transmit; the reason being that the meter lights are wired to the unregulated part of the supply (22.5V). I wholeheartedly agree with an earlier reviewer (N2IDW) who said that this makes the supply look weak. It certainly does and is the reason that I moved the RS-35M out of line of sight in the shack. N2IDW suggests a remedy that he carried out, which is to rewire the meters to the regulated 13.8V. He says that the lights are a bit dimmer, but steady. I have yet to do this modification. Despite this, I will grade the Astron RS-35M at 5.0, but strongly suggest to Astron to fix this imperfection soonest.
Closing comments: I can fully recommend the RS-35M to other hams. In my experience, this is a quality linear power supply for those who need up to 25A in the shack.
73 de Jónas, TF3JB.
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| AE3K |
Rating:   |
2013-05-23 | |
| poor quality nowadays |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Astron used to make great power supplies. I remember. But my RS-35M is very mediocre. Here are the problems:
1. Significant audible hum from the transformer under load. Not voltage ripple, audible hum. These used to be silent.
2. Infuriatingly, the meter lamps are not replaceable. So now I have one unlit meter and one lit meter. $40 disposable meters? Please!
3. The meter for the voltage is surprisingly inaccurate: reads 15+ volts when the output really is 13.7 volts.
I consider Astron to be a formerly great power supply, but that is just nostalgia.
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Earlier 3-star review posted by AE3K on 2012-07-07
I remember years ago working with Astron power supplies and at the time they were completely silent during operation, even at full load.
So I was pretty disappointed when my new RS-35M exhibited significant hum during operation. This is not hum on the power line, but hum you can hear.
Sitting with no load, it is loud enough to be distracting in a quiet room. When I draw 20 amps, it is much loader and sounds like a cheap CB power supply.
Based on my investigation with the cover off, I don't think the problem is excessive motion of the transformer parts. It is almost silent without the cover. But with the cover, it is loud. I believe what is probably happening is that the transformer has too much "inductive loss" and too much magnetic field is outside the transformer. This gets coupled to the metal case and causes it to vibrate. That's my theory, anyway.
I've read other reviews, where people shim things here and stuff things there. I don't think that's the right idea.
I'd love the name of a quality supplier of linear power supplies. I thought that was Astron, but I've reconsidered that opinion based on my recent purchase.
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| WA3CAS |
Rating:    |
2013-03-17 | |
| Not Your Father's Power Supply |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I’ve been reading the reviews of the Astron RS-35M power supply and was surprised at all the 5-star reviews. Why? Because the power supply I purchased 6 months ago isn’t that great. It hums under load and both meter bulbs have burned out. There’s no way to replace the bulbs without replacing the entire meter! Really? I have to replace the meter to replace the bulbs! You got to be kidding me.
Then I realized that the 5-star reviews were mostly for older units. I can only conclude is that the newer supplies aren’t your Father’s power supply. They're not made nearly as well as they once were, and that’s too bad.
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|
| WH7DX |
Rating:      |
2013-02-08 | |
| Solid Product |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
it's been in use almost daily and no problems. Does what it's supposed to do. Happy customer.
WH7DX |
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| N4TL |
Rating:      |
2013-01-31 | |
| Works fine |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have had this power supply since 2002. It was damaged by lightning in 2002. The damage was to two transistors, the SCR and a capacitor. I replaced those parts and it has worked fine for 10 years. About a month ago. One of the bridge rectifiers shorted. That caused the fuse to blow. I purchased a new rectifier from Mouser and now the power supply works fine again. I think it is a good design and I would buy one again. |
|
| AC9EX |
Rating:      |
2012-11-24 | |
| Still working great after 5 years |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought this power supply used and have used for my main shack supply for 6 years now without one issue. It is silent running and cool. couldn't ask for any more from a power supply! |
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| K8JHR |
Rating:      |
2012-07-10 | |
| So far, so good ! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have two Astron RS-35M power supplies. No hash. No worries. Just turn 'em on and boogie. Both are as heavy, run as cool, and are as reliable as the day I bought them.
// K8JHR // |
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