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Reviews For: Astron RS-35M

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron RS-35M
Reviews: 174MSRP: 169.95
Description:
Astron 35 amp (ICS), 25 amp (continuous) linear regulated power supply.
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.astroncorp.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001744.6
KB0HAE Rating: 2011-05-29
Great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought my RS-35M from a friend who had used it for years to run 11m radios, and test car stereos. Voltage (checked with an external VOM) is right at 13.8v. No problems running my TS-430S and I don't expect any. My other Astron supplies (SS-18, SS-25, RS-20A) have all given years of trouble-free service, and this one will too.
WB5RR Rating: 2011-03-24
Great Supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a RS-35M brand new from Burghardt's in 1997. Has performed flawlessly over the years, I would not hesitate to buy another one if the need arises.
KI5FJ Rating: 2011-03-16
Excellent & Lesson Learned Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My 1997 model recently began to be un-regulated,
voltage dropping under 10 amp load. Root-cause bad transformer center-tap (CT). Reconfigured dual bridge packages as bridges without CT. Using a VARIAC, the input voltage must not exceed 75 VAC for for NL collector voltage to be slightly less than 25 VDC. If you use headlamp bulbs as a test load you must de-sense the current limit. Temp place three 10Kohm resistors across R3 (LM723 Pin 2 to ground). Joe, K I 5 F J
N4YWG Rating: 2011-02-06
Simple & Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
OK, so the meters aren't sophisticated and precise, get a Fluke multimeter. But for a faithful power supply that won't quit, the Astron RS linear line can't be beat.

I've owned this model, and a RS-20A for at least 20 years, and never had a problem with either. Got them both used, and they're an excellent value.

KX7P Rating: 2010-12-03
SUPERB QUALITY Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used my RS-35M almost everyday since around 1993. No problems at all. Works great! I don't have anything negative to say about it or any Astron power supply. I have other Astron power supplies that work just as good.

I highly recommend Astron for your power supply needs.
WR0F Rating: 2010-10-02
25 Years of service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased my Astron RS 35M power supply way back in 1985 timeframe .This power supply has worked flawless in the shack for 25 + years .
Running 170 watt RF concepts amp since 1988 .

KB8DFK Rating: 2010-08-24
Excellent Power supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have owned for 5 years now, no problems ever, no hum, vibration, nothing, just clean power for my gear, built tough, meters work great.
KH6DC Rating: 2010-07-15
16 Years and Going Strong Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had this power supply as my one and only for 16 years now and now problems whatsoever. Worked great day 1 as it does now. Even had it draw about 35 amps a bunch of times and still works great even if it weighs a ton. Looking for many more years of service.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KH6DC on 2001-06-24

Owned this puppy for over 8 years now and not one single problem yet (knock on wood). Checked the output and it's still 13.75 volts, the same since I purchased it in 1993. I use it everynight for transmitting or just listening and it handles the key down. It doesn't have a fan and gets warm (but not hot) when operated for several hours at 50% duty cycle. I highly recommend all astron power supplies and why settle for second best. The only slight negative is the hum from the transformer which is noticable but not distracting. 73, Delwyn, AH6OK
N2IDW Rating: 2010-06-21
Overall Good Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Overall a good power supply. Two things I did not care for:

1. The meter lights are wired to the unregulated part of the supply (22.5V). They flicker when using a 100W SSB rig, making the supply look weak. As a previous poster did, I also rewired them to the regulated 13.8V. Lights are a bit dimmer, but steady now.

2. The main filter Cap is rated at 25v and is running with 22.5v on it. The Cap is subjected to any line surges since it is before the regulator. I would have liked to see a 35v part used here.

Otherwise It's been running well for about 3 months now.

Matt
N8NSN Rating: 2010-05-23
Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Astron has the quality which is admirable. I only gave the RS35M a four (4) because of some minor details. We'll get to those in a moment.

As for the Power Supply, itself, it is built like a tank. The RS35M here, has been in service since 1996. It has been EXTREMELY reliable. It has gone on many portable runs. There were several instances which the unit took a fall from heights of greater than three feet. So, the chassis is a mess with a huge dip in the bottom where the weight of the transformer had it's way with the lower chassis upon impact. STILL WORKS 100%! ...On ruggedness A+

For 25 Amps DC... never a problem and with a serge capacity of (over) the rated 35 Amps... never a problem; even at short stints of 38<40 Amps.

Now, the reason for the four (4), instead of a five (5) rating:

1) The meters, though somewhat accurate, are flimsy and far from precision instrumentation. This was rectified by installing a set of Jewel Instruments meters (0-50Amp current and 0-15 VDC) from an Acopian Power Supply. Fair Radio in Lima, Ohio had just what I needed at a VERY reasonable cost (just a tip).

2) The 1/4 X 20 DC power out connections are made well, inside and out. Attention to detail, by Astron is exceeding sufficient. The lower mark was because for a 'bench supply' the need for at least one set of binding posts (on the front face) was overlooked. This was cured by simply installing a set of high current capable binding posts.

3) As previously stated, the RS35M has had a pretty rough life in the operations, here. However, even from the day it was purchased new, the 'hum' was a problem with the RS35M. With sensitive audio gear (mic etc) being mounted to the boom arm, etc. The hum produced from the transformer (heavy and stout) was just the right AF range to resonate through the mic cable and mounting apparatus. The cure? The use of 1/8 inch rubber sheeting between the transformer and chassis took care of most of this problem. It would have been easy to just mount the PS on the floor, but that defeats the purpose of the metering and makes access to the front mounted binding posts an issue. Not to mention the portability issue of having to go under the desk to retrieve the supply for a portable scenario. Also, some two (2) inch diameter copper pluming pipe insulation cut to 2 inch lengths and installed around each foot of the PS added a sort of shock absorber foot to alleviate any further AF resonant issues. This was all minor and likely caused by my particular placement and the possibility that the shelves built here just so happened to combine in the outcome of the resonant 'hum' through the studio mic issue.

Just thought sharing some of these 'cures' for other Astron RS35M owners may spark (pun) some ideas on how to 'upgrade' the supply for the shack.

GREAT, SOLID, and VERY RELIABLE VDC supply.