Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Astron RS-70M

Category: Power Supplies

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
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
KI4KVS Rating: 2005-11-24
If you can get past the smell Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A good power supply, but with a terrible smell. It appears that either solvent used in the paint, or used in some other phase of assembly, is vaporized when the supply "warms up" - it's enough to make me sick to my stomach. My "little" Astron (RS-20A) was not so ill mannered. I had hoped that it would get better over time, but I've smelled no improvement for the entire time I've owned it.

An email to Astron has gone unanswered.

As a power supply, "Ole Stinky" works just fine for as long as I can stand it.
N6AJR Rating: 2005-02-08
they work Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Plug them in, hook the wires up, hit the switch, and go. I have a 7, 20, 50 and 70 amp astrons, and they all work well. nothing spectular, a good value, solid performer, they work as advertised.

if ya need one , buy one.
W3ADC Rating: 2005-02-08
The Big Dog Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this to run my TE Systems 400 Watt Amplifier at 52 Amps. It does the job with no sweat. I did purchase the Ameritron ICP-120 Inrush Current Protection to go with it. After reading the reviews I thought it would be for the best.
K9WIT Rating: 2004-10-15
BRUTE FORCE ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This power supply powers my entire hf,vhf,uhf radios and vhf,uhf amps with no problem. Never had a blown fuse or the fan come on. I bought one when they first hit the market 10 years ago for $235. Best money I ever spent on any power supply.
WA8IKP Rating: 2004-08-18
Vy Good supply, but needs inrush current protector Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I primarily use this supply to power a Kenwood TS 480 HX transceiver. In addition, it also powers my Icom IC 2100H 2 meter rig and an SGC MAC200 auto tuner. All was well for the first couple months,but then it started blowing it's 12amp fuse when you first turn it on (no load), at the rate of about 1 out of 7 or 8 times.

A couple other reviews of this supply on eham spoke of the same issue and of the Ameritron ICP 120 inrush current protector. I purchased this and have used it for a couple weeks now and the supply has not blown another fuse upon startup.

For this reason, I down rate it from an otherwise great rating, to good because you likely will have to buy the ICP 120 or something like it, to use the supply without the fuse blowing on it at startup.
KB9WIS Rating: 2004-05-07
Nice supply, specs overrated Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have two RS-70 amp Astron power supplies, with parrell load sharing. The power supply is constructed well, and features desired overload protection..


I however, do not think its fair to rate this as a RS-70 or a 70 amp power supply. They should be both rated and marketed as a 50 amp power supply. I've near been able to even achieve close to 70 amps out of either of these power supplies, before they start tripping. The binding mosts and crimp connectors (included), are made for 10 gauge wire, which is also an indication that this is not a true 70 amp power supply.


This is a good power supply, but I am a little disappointed with its overrated specs. I was expecting to run 140 amps PEP together, not 100! I run a legal limit solid state amp, that really needs 125amps, and they didn't cut the mustard. It takes them less than a second, before that begin to trip. I unfortunately, will have to sell them, or buy a third one, if I want to run the solid state amp in my shack.. I guess I didn't expect to pay over $1,000 for a power supply source for a 1400 watt amp.
AE6AI Rating: 2004-02-16
Great, powerful supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this supply. It is powerfull enough that I never need to wonder if I am working it too hard. It has performed flawlessly for the year I have had it.
W4CGP Rating: 2004-02-15
Excellent Power Supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned an RS-70A (same as the M minus the meters) and, while heavy, has given me no trouble whatsoever since I got it. I ran 50 watts into an antenna about 5 feet from the power supply and it shut the power supply down, but as long as adequate spacing between the antenna and the power supply is kept, it functions fine. I run a 20 amp radio and the power supply doesn't sweat it. I'd definitely buy another one should I need to, but it doesn't look like that's going to be necessary any time soon.
VE4MM Rating: 2004-01-14
Nice Unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Used this to run a 500W solid state linear. No problem. Heavy Duty. Did NOT blow a 15A breaker.
ICOMDUDE Rating: 2003-12-13
AWESOME Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This BEAST powers my entire shack from HF-UHF. I have yet to hear the fan kick on with my meager 30 amp draw. And that's with running a 200 watt VHF amp!