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Reviews For: Samlex SEC-1223

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Samlex SEC-1223
Reviews: 157MSRP: 129.99
Description:
Switching Power Supply

Helpful RFI reduction mod by ZL2DF: http://www.n0ss.net/samlex_1223_rfi_mods_from_zl2df.pdf
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.samlexamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001574.4
KT4WO Rating: 2022-08-03
40M and up fine. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
***Update***
Spurs every 25Khz, not 30Khz, but not really a issue
on 40M and above. I plan to try a XPhase QRM Eliminator
on that rig/pwr supply and see if that will clean up the
low bands. I would still buy it again but not as my main station
pwr supply.



If you like 160M or even 80M, this is not the power
supply you want. But for 40M and up it's fine.
I haven't found a "switcher" that does not
wipe out the low bands!!! Spurs every 30Khz on 160M.
If you run 160/80M, stick with a RS-35 or larger.
With that said, it seems to work well. One note---
Don't use "power poles" like the guy below(and blame the
power supply!!!...wow?!?!?)
I use mine as a back-up on VHF+
K1KP Rating: 2022-08-02
Two units failed long after purchase Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update: Got the schematic and made repairs, same issue on both units: Replaced the bad capacitors, the two transistors, and the fuse. About 20 minutes each. Might need to adjust the output voltage after the repairs. All in all, I think they got a bad lot of electrolytics. I'd buy them again.


Have to tell the truth - our club purchased three of these for FD over 10 years ago. They have been used for intermittent heavy duty use. That is, used in 48 hr contests and FD a few times a year, nothing other than that. Both units failed with same symptoms: Three electrolytic caps on the output swell up and vent out the top, the AC line fuse blows. Tried to repair by replacing the caps and the fuse but other components are fried so they are essentially scrap now. They're great while they work.
W6RQ Rating: 2022-08-02
Quiet, reliable switching power supply Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Works great w/ my ICOM 7300. I had an SEC-1223 power supply that had developed a problem after about 5 years. Richard at Samlex was very helpful and extremely kind in handling my inquiry. Although my power supply was out of warranty, he offered to send me a refurbished SEC-1223 for the cost of shipping. I received it, and it worked flawlessly. Samlex switching power supplies are well-known for being high-quality, reliable, and quiet -- both in terms of having no audible noise as well as no RFI, unlike one of their competitors whose name starts with 'A'. Samlex customer service is superb. I will always buy Samlex products.
KI5DR Rating: 2020-10-27
Lasted 18 years, finally blown fuse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased this years' ago when I first bought my Icom 706. It's run my equipment consistently for close to 19 years. It's been running 24x7x365 (my internet router uses the same 12v) and after years' of service it blew a fuse last night. 18 years is a darn good run.
The PS has run HF / VHF equipment, been on multiple field days.
W6SWO Rating: 2019-06-24
DOESN'T TAKE TO BLUNDERS! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have an SEC-1223 that I used for powering smaller equipment, and as a bench supply while testing and troubleshooting gear. It worked fine for that purpose. However, this year I took it out in the field for Field Day. My buddy had his Alinco DM-330MVT on the table next to my SEC-1223 and at some point the output of both power supplies was inadvertently connected together with Power Pole pigtails we each had on our PS's. Of course, that was operator error, but my 1223 got smoked while his DM-330 didn't. Obviously his Alinco had better protection against backwards current flow than my Samlex. The Samlex's internal fuse blew, but it also charred one of the large capacitors to charcoal and who knows what else. Lessons learned: 1) Don't be a dumb-a$$ and connect two power supplies together, and 2) pay the extra cash and get the better protections a more expensive unit has. I'm replacing the 1223 with the Alinco because I know it will take gross negligence and abuse better.
N6BIZ Rating: 2018-10-29
Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After 18 years the on off switch got to be intermittent
I was nice to samplex and the company is sending me a new one ,on the house .Hows that for service after 18 years .
Hats off to samplex.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N6BIZ on 2018-08-28

Had mine for so long forgot it was on at least 17 years
VE7REN Rating: 2018-08-28
most excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
ive ran these supplies on 2 different radios and powering other gear via a rigrunner. they are quiet,no birdies here,and the fan comes on only after long usage from tx. one is 7 years old,the other 3 years. on 24/7 here. never a hichup,and they have a nice fit n finish.. the newer version samlex,have white lettering and say samlex power,not like the one shown in the review pic. I was told the new ones are from 2015 and up,so the ones with the orangeish writing are prior to this manu date.. would I buy another samlex??? yes, just ordered me a new 1235meter one. need bit more power for another desk.i have sold all my linear astrons.. switchers are more efficient in times of rising bills,and take less space.
N8AUC Rating: 2018-08-27
SEC-1223 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this power supply new to run my FT-857D. It's never given me any problems. Small and light weight, and it just keeps on going. No RF hash detectable from my unit. Just hook it up, and go.

The connectors on the rear panel are sort of funky.
So I used the pins they supplied to make a pig tail that goes to Anderson Power Poles. End of problem.
N6PRX Rating: 2018-07-08
Great Service for old PS Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After many years of service my SEC-1223 began to oscillate under the heavy load of 100W SSB transmit. Inspection revealed several leaking electrolytic capacitors that I replaced. Unfortunately the effort did not resolve the problem. A call to Samlex proved to be very helpful. Replacement parts were available. Due to some known issues with the PWM circuitry, the Samlex recommendation was to replace the entire circuit board. The board was promptly received and installed without issue. I hope to get another 10 years out of this power supply. Great service from Ken at Samlex!
K7DXT Rating: 2017-12-27
Keeps On Ticking... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I probably wrote a review for this many years ago, and probably reported it as great. Now, after at least 10 years of using it, its still great. It's not like a radio that you can review it on a lot of different levels. It turns on, the little red light glow bright, and it has provided ample amperage at the correct voltage flawlessly for many years. I reckon that's what its supposed to do.