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Reviews For: Astron RS-35A

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron RS-35A
Reviews: 103MSRP: 150.00
Description:
13.8 volt 25 amp continuous 35 amp peak rated DC Power Supply
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.astroncorp.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
121034.8
KW4N Rating: 2004-08-01
Excellent Supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought mine used off e-bay.
For most, the bit of hum you get wouldn't be bothersome, but I wanted to see if I could eliminate it.
I tried most of the suggestions: 5 QST magazines on top, phone book on top, stuffed cardboard on top of the front cover. They all helped but not enough to make a big difference. So I pulled the cover off and did an inspection: no solder flux, no tight wires over screws, no solder bridges or balls....the assembly was well laid out, neat, and with good workmanship. The vibration originates in the front left quadrant over the transformer. From there it spreads out to the top of the front cover that is not screwed down. So I screwed it down into a 1" by 1" aluminum angle bolted across the front inside. This eliminated 90% of the problem.
To get to the point where I could hear the breeze from a flipped coin, I put 3lbs of left over lead shot in a sock on top over the transformer. (I tried this with 6lbs of shot and no alumininum bar but no joy)
I have two other power supplies that have similar cost effective design approaches, one from H.P. the other from Mitsubishi. In all, the heat sinks are mounted outside with the power transistors recessed and out of harms way, making for maximum heat transfer. This of course eliminates a fan along with it's associated noise. The voltage on these transistors is not a problem unless a deliberate attempt is made to create one.
The output lugs are 1/4" bolts equipped with flat and split washers for secure tie down. Advocates of banana plugs as an alternative for transferring 25 or 30 amps should probably stick to AA batteries. A ground strap connection is out-of-the-way on the the opposite corner.
Just a very minor thump on turn-on. Full voltage comes up instantaneously and regulation is stiff with a variable load.
I ran the unit for two hours straight to see if I could melt the lead on top, but couldn't even warm my hand.
This unit has an excellent cost/benefit ratio so it rates a 5. And I couldn't find anything as good as, or better.
73's
Dave


W0IPL Rating: 2004-06-09
Not Happy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second 35 amp supply from Astron. The first one went out after about ten years so I decided to try again. Not really such a good idea.

The previous one got turned on when I needed it. EVERY time there was a "thump" as it came up but it worked fine for ten years.

The new one comes up with a "thump" as you power on but my plan was to run it continuously.

First off it generated an S6 (!) noise level (I switched between power supplies and was able to determine - for sure - it is the new P.S.

After some fiddling around (letting it run while I did other things) the noise level came down to S1. Not happy here! I decided to make a few contacts and see what it sounded like to others.

By chance, I ran into a guy on 20M I used to work with about 18 years ago, thus we had a good 45 minute chat. By the end of that, I could smell something "hot" so I checked the new P.S.

Cooling fins were warm but no more (quite reasonable). The top of the P.S. was so hot I could not keep my hand on it! Think about that, cooling fins were quite reasonable but the top of the case was too hot to put your hand on it!

I looked inside the case and found solder joints that looked like a twelve year old, just learning to solder, had done them. B+ leads that were run - tightly - over case mounted screws, wire lead lengths that had *no* slack and traces of flux all over the inside (I guess they think that enough flux will cure otherwise poor soldering technique.

Unless this is the one out of a thousand that got past quality control (not likely) then Astron NEEDS HELP with their quality control.
K5YC Rating: 2004-04-15
GREAT PRODUCT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Like other reviews I love this power supply.
Have had no trouble with it for over 5 years now. I can power my Kenwood HF and Icom HF both at the same time with it. Placed a small muffin
fan behind it to stay cool, which probably isn't
needed. As far a tech support, I don't know--never needed it. Wife and I run contest and ragchew alot with little thought to the supply,
no problems. Have used other brands and homebrew
supplys, but for the bang for the dollar I stay
with Astron. This is a winner!
W9HWQ Rating: 2004-01-30
Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the Astron 35A power supply for about 20 years, it just sits there usually on 24/7. The unit powers my TS450 and a Alinco VHF/UHF 50 watt transceiver. also several other items in the shack.
K4KK Rating: 2004-01-30
Astron 35A vs M Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have several Astron 35A's and a couple of 35M's. I've used them for over 10 years with total success. I would advise anyone considering a new 35 to buy the A model. I have never had a problem with any of the A's. The M's work fine as well but I have had meters fail on both (not really "fail" but just stick and become useless). One of the M's has a bad switch light, too. It doesn't impact the performance of the output which is the real goal with a power supply but is a nuisance. Hence, forget the M's. Save your money and buy an external meter if you want one. Buy the A model. 100% reliable...
KD4FUN Rating: 2003-12-31
Super supply Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Bought my RS-35 new in 2003, the pwr supply runs my HF, VHF, Laptop and charges my HT's without beaking a sweat. Nice and clean filtered DC on the ol scope. My supply is very well regulated.
Would not hesitate to purchase another one.
N3JWJ Rating: 2003-12-31
Solid for over 10 years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my Astron RS35A in use for over 10 years. There are 9 devices and radios hooked up to my power distribution strip, but it is unlikely that all would be on at the same time.

I would buy another Astron if I needed another power supply.
WI0T Rating: 2003-12-25
Like a rock... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought this used 7 years ago for $100.00, haven't
done a thing to it except turn it on and use it.

Plenty of quiet power for my radios. Will power most if not all 12 radios at full power.


I don't see how anyone can go wrong with this
unit.
KE5GK Rating: 2003-12-24
Takes A Lickin' & Keeps On Tickin' Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A nearby lightning strike took my reliable AS-35A out. Astron sent replacement parts and it was quickly put back into service.

One note for future reference: If you need parts, let the factory know exactly which AS-35A you have. The newer units are slightly different from the older ones.

I power my Jupiter and Alinco 2M rig from this supply. No problems and no noise from the PS.

I got mine used and it has proved to be a very sound investment.

Astron is a reliable company with good customer service.
N4WWZ Rating: 2003-12-23
Keeps on going Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Overall my Astron 35A has provided me with great service. I've owned it for over 5 years. I would still be using it today as my main supply if it were not for the loud hum while it is on. I've tried to minimize the noise using inputs from previous postings but it is still pretty loud. I replaced it with an Alinco DM333 switcher that I purchased as a travel supply but because the Alinco is so quiet I swopped out the Astron for it. I'd recommend the Astron 35A. It is a good power supply, although mechanically noisy.