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Reviews For: Radio Shack Switching 13.8 Volt 25 Amp Supply

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Radio Shack Switching 13.8 Volt 25 Amp Supply
Reviews: 60MSRP: 110 on sale 60
Description:
Compact , lightweight 13.8 Volt 25 Amp Power Supply.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.radioshack.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00603.9
KB0SJX Rating: 2003-02-03
Awful spurs- Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have two, both put out a 20 over nine 20 KHz wide spur about every 100KHz or so up and down the bands that effects my reception from around 2MHz-7MHz.......They just love to wipe out the entire 80M SSB DX window- if you like the low bands, avoid these like the plague- I run my 756Pro and FT847 with them....as soon as I save up enough $$$, they are going in the dumpster- I have TWO units that do this- they both suck-
AB0RE Rating: 2003-02-03
Some more info... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The part # (should you chose to call to check on availability) is 22-510. As others have noted, fan noise is moderate. Also, the nuts on the terminal posts on the back don't come completely off, making connection of ring terminals to the power supply impossible. Other than that, looks like an okay unit and will probably make a good spare. (Just remember... to some extent, you get what you pay for and they don't call it **** Shack for nothing :-). 73, Dan / ab0re
WA6APN Rating: 2003-02-03
Good Buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Was reading the previous posts, called my local RS and confirmed the price. Went down and bought one, it's now powering a KNWD TR-7800, can just hear the fan, not a problem. Really can't rate as I just bought it ! The $50 I saved, the XYL has already spent $30 of it. Knew I shouldn't have brought her along. 73 Tom / wa6apn
KB0ETC Rating: 2003-02-03
Great Power Supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Okay, I never thought of posting a review for this power supply because it has been so reliable since 11/2001, I forgot I had it!

This thing was a pretty good value when I originally purchased it for $119.95, and when I discovered it was on sale I rushed out and bought another one.

Half the price of some comparable power supplies!

Features:
25 amp continous, small foot print, stable voltage, regulated output protection, electronic overload protection, overheat protection circuit, binding posts, and also runs cool and quiet.

Don't hesitate to pick one up if you need one. Get rid of all those 12V wall warts, and use this power supply.

I have one for my VR-5000 Receiver and also powers my DSP's and other accessories. And the other one powers my Kenwood TM-G707A.

Although I probably only needed one, but on sale who could pass it up?

73's
K6TLA Rating: 2003-02-03
Good Deal Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Can't really rate it yet cuz I haven't tried it. The guys have been buying the Samlex version and using em all over the TV station with good results. I picked up two for $60 each...great deal. If the fan noise is a bother I'll put a switch in to turn it off.
N0EHQ Rating: 2003-02-03
Good buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the Radio Shack 13.8 volt supply a few days ago after the promotion came out for $60.00. The voltage measures 13.97 volts which is well within the published specifications. There is a bit of fan noise but it isn't a deal breaker for me. Is it overly noisy? To some yes, to others like myself not really. I don't think its an issue of the fan being out of balance rather than the fact that the fan runs all the time and moves a lot of air which will seem noisy to some. The unit works well with the IC706Mk2G and after a long PSK31 contact with my slow typing speed the unit was cool as a cucumber. For the price it was a good buy but I wouldn't give list price of $119.00 for it when you can buy a new Samlex for $80.00 - $90.00 street value.
W8VKD Rating: 2003-02-03
Nice build quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just picked one up 2 days ago. Yes, mine has a noisy fan also. Simple fix. Open the unit up take a small utility knife and slit the "goop" holding the fan connector to the main board. Pull off the fan connector and run without it. My supply runs cool all day on receive with the IC-706MKIIG. There is a very large heat sink on the chassis which exceeds those found on the Samlex & Icom models so I'll see how convection cooling only pans out. I will be looking for a way to start the fan only upon high heat sensing or find a low speed quiet fan. Overall I rate it a good buy at $60.00.
KC0JBJ Rating: 2003-02-03
Good Value - Spent difference! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was seriously contemplating the Samlex or the MFJ equivalent because I wanted a lightweight supply for travel. This one seemed to have the same specs and the price was right! My Astron SS-30M switcher is about 5 lbs. while this one is around 3.5 lbs.

Well, in answer to the previous question (see below), I went in to the local Shack to buy the PS at that great price with the online coupon. The manager checked and found it was on sale for the same price! Usually, FWIW, you save a little more with the coupon than the sale price.

Well, I looked around and found a whole lot more on sale or clearance, including a nice water-resistant FRS H/T, a speakerphone box that works with both corded phones and cellular, a phone call lamp flasher (great to keep telephone ringing from going out over the air!), and several other goodies. I ended up spending about the same as if I had paid full price, but yet got a bunch of freebies!!
NS1R Rating: 2003-02-03
superb value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My unit has the fan running all the time but it so quier you never know it is running. I took it apart and saw a VR to adjust the Voltage. One was at 13.8 volts and another at 13.6 volts. easy adjustment. My suggestion is to go to the www.radioshack.com website and enter in your zip code and they list all the local stores with telephone #'s. Then call them and see if they have the unit in stock and for the $ 60 price (unadvertised..the clerk was surprised). I don't have any connection with Radio Shack etc. The only question I have for the group is ; " What should I do with the $ 40 I saved verses buying the Samlex unit or the $ 160 Yaesu version? "

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NS1R on 2003-02-02

I saw the Online advertisement on www.radioshack.com for the supply and got two of them for $60 each. Lightweight, quiet, puts out 25 Amps at 13.8 Volts without RFI. For $ 60 on Sale it is a great deal. For $ 110 regular price it is OK. Veriy similar to the Samlex 1223 Power Supply or the Yaesu Switching Supply that costs alot more.
N2DY Rating: 2003-02-03
No Problems Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have run one of these for quite some time. There is no excessive fan noise on mine. It runs very quietly. Perhaps the prior reviewer was unlucky enough to get one with a fan that is out of balance. I'd bring it back and exchange it.

Overall performance has been very good. Voltage is spot on at 13.8V and I do not get any microprocessor noise. This is a great deal at the sale price.