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Reviews For: Astron RS-70M

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Astron RS-70M
Reviews: 46MSRP: 300
Description:
Description: 57 amp cont. 70amp surge 13.8 vdc power supply with voltage and current meters.
Product is in production
More Info: http://astroncorp.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00464.7
VE6CPP Rating: 2008-09-17
A Lotta Punch Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a'New to Me' RS-70M.. using it to run WSJT EME at 100% Duty Cycle to Power a 300W Mirage.. Shows it draws anywhere from 58 to 62A on TX.. My only concern.. the Fan dont start up.. seems to run a Lil Hot! So I added an external fan to it..Hope it Helps! Anyone know 'How Hot' these should get before the fan kicks in?
Jerry VE6CPP
W4KVW Rating: 2008-06-25
GREAT SUPPLY Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the RS-70M for about 5 years with ZERO issues.I bought it from another local ham who got out of ham radio & he used it for about 6 years before me with ZERO issues.GREAT supply that runs EVERYTHING on my desk with PLENTY of room to spare.I sold my ASTRON RS-50M to buy the RS-70M & had ZERO issues with it as well.In the 14 plus years I have been a ham I have NEVER had an issue with an ASTRON power supply! }:>)
W9VNE Rating: 2008-03-02
works as advertised Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I read all of the prior reviews . . . . almost everyone seems to agree that it works as advertised . . . those who down rate it and who have problems are in the minority . . . i have the 220 volt version . . . i have 2 of them and they are run in parallel to power a solid state amp (Hercules II). I can get 70 amps out of either but with 2 in parallel i do not push either one . . . I also have a 20 and 50 amp versions which i have owned for years (decades) with no real problems to report .. i have been a ham for 55 years so i have some experience with ham gear
W4HEY Rating: 2006-12-05
Odor-Free! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been running my RS-70M for a week now, powering 2 solid-state amps with no problems whatsoever. Apparently they worked out the odor issue previously mentioned and it seems that they added inrush protection as well -- no thud at start-up. Nice power supply, albeit heavy as [and built like] a tank!
WV4I Rating: 2006-08-13
Works FB..... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased new. Works FB right out of box. Best price I could find was $280 plus $15 shipping. Ship weight is upwards of 50 pounds. Shows approx 50a running my also new TE systems 1452G amp, 15in/400out. Exciter is on separate power supply. So far, no smells or popped breakers, running on 120vac, 15a house cicuit, and notice unit is fused at 12a on ac input side. Included schematic dated 1997 does not show any inrush current protection. You'll need #6 gauge wire and lugs for unit's 1/4" terminals (lugs were included with mine). Only other comment is that power out terminals are both exposed, and safety would be enhanced with some type of protective covering. I've had other Astron amps and suspect this one also will last a long time.
W5WVO Rating: 2006-05-27
Big iron! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is my kind of power supply. It's a real brute, and it supplies my TS-2000, TE Systems 400W 6M linear amplifier, and assorted low-power station accessories easily. The output voltage doesn't even flicker under key-down full carrier conditions.

If you need this kind of current supply capability, this is the power supply for you. Very highly recommended.

One note: If you buy this unit new, you will notice after it's been on for a few hours that it, um... stinks. :-) This is the excess thermal compound on the heat sinks burning off. It is a temporary situation. Keep it turned on 24/7 for several weeks and the smell will gradually subside. Mine has been in service for about six months and there is no smell left at all.
W2MSK Rating: 2006-04-16
Workhorse Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've used various Astron supplies over the years and they are very reliable and quality made. The RS-70M is used to power a high output VHF brick amp and does a good job. The brick requires about 35-40 amps and the supply provides this power, albeit with heat and the fan coming on during sustained constant carrier operation. The "smell" referred to in an earlier review is certainly noticeable however it disipates after several months of burn-in. Just a hint of the odor after 3-4 months use. I expect it to completely disappear. The factory states this odor is due to an inrush circuit component recently installed in the later models. Recommended.
9K2HN Rating: 2006-03-12
I like mine very MUCH!! *220V* Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I ordered mine back on 2003 from USA all the way to Kuwait and it cost me so much for the shipping charges, but after all it worth every cent i spent on it. I ordered the 220v and took a week to build it and ship it. I realy enjoy seeing it ON all the time since i bought it. I had to replace the fuse once only due to my mistake. I just ordered another one for my second qth.
AA5CH Rating: 2006-01-09
Mine's Been On For Four Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My RS70-M has been on ever since I placed it into service in January of 2002. I don't think I've turned it off more than a dozen times in those four years, only briefly to connect or disconnect cables or to move it when I have re-arranged the shack.

The only time I think about it is when I slide it over a couple of times a year to dust underneath it and am reminded how heavy it is. I think that is the way power supplies are supposed to be.

73,
Brad
AA5CH

W9WHE-II Rating: 2006-01-09
Great but.... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Great supply, but about every 8th time I turn it on, it blows my 20amp shack breaker. Rather not leave it on all the time as the heat will accellerate aging. An inrush current limiter is not a bad idea, just a nasty expense.