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Reviews For: Pyramid PS-36KX

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Pyramid PS-36KX
Reviews: 20MSRP: $236.25
Description:
Perfect for Home, Shop and Hobbyist
Built-in Cooling Fan
Input: 115V AC, 60Hz, 600 Watts
Output: 12~15V DC(adjustable)
32 AMP Constant/35 AMP Surge
Powers 12V DC Devices such as Cellular Phones, CB Radios, Scanners, HAM Radios, Autosound Systems,etc.
Screw Terminal Connectors
Crowbar Over Voltage Protection
Short Circuit & Thermal Protection; Fuse Protected
LED Protection Indicators
3 Prong Grounded AC Plug
Heavy Duty Cabinet & Heatsink with Non-Skid Rubber Feet
Dimensions: 14�L x 9.17�W x 4.92�H
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.pyramidcaraudio.com/itempage.asp?model=PS36KX
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15203.6
K3CLT Rating: 2009-08-11
Its OK Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had a 25amp model with the meters and used it as I travel and set up my radios in the motel rooms. I had it set up at home and saw a little dipping of the lights on my radio. The meters indicated 14 volts so I started to look for the problem. The PS went up in smoke one day so I contacted the local factory rep. In the Pittsburgh area its Electronics Haven. Look them up on the internet. HE made a deal with me to take the 25amp unit back and upgrade me to the 36KX.
I put that unit on the table and connected my HF rig. Everything seemed normal so I decided to connect my 2 meter rig to it also. I noticed that the voltage level on the 2 meter radio indicated that the power was at 11 volts. I looked at the meter on the PS and it was at 14 volts. I checked the PS with my VOM and found that the output was 11 volts. I turned it up to 14 volts and the meter on the PS showed 16 volts.
All of the radios work and the PS seems to be doing its job. I do recommend that everyone check the output of their supplies with a good VOM because the meters on the PS cant be trusted.
N0SPG Rating: 2009-06-04
A Company To Avoid Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Meters are not illuminated and the fan started to make unhealthy sounds within a week of purchase. Look inside. It is not a very pretty picture. I would sell mine but the shipping would seem to exceed the price I can get. Tried their tech support and it was AWFUL. No accountability and NO FOLLOW THROUGH. They simply don't care about their customers. On the positive side, I got a good price from Amazon and free shipping when I purchased.
WB4YQV Rating: 2008-08-08
Overvoltage Time Owned: more than 12 months.
No meter illumination... Fan died... Overvoltage protection failed causing serious damage to Icom IC-821H, fried it... I illuminated the meters, replaced the fan (with an outboard 115vac unit) had the over voltage section re-worked and have had no problems since...
N4FRL Rating: 2008-07-07
Solid but runs hot to me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this power supply for over 10 years. It has been use off/on over that time. The only problem was that the cooling fan went out. I replaced it with like kind I bought from mouser electronics. The supply run hot to me with mininum current draw. When I reach about 5 amps constant draw in a short period of time the case get hot enough that you can't keep your hands on it for long. I do not dare touch the heat sink. Anyway I have removed it from service for fear of damage and am trying to get a friend to run it through its paces to see what he thinks about the heat issue.
WA8MEA Rating: 2008-03-15
Fantastic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I continue to buy Pyramid power supplies, one of the best deals out there.

This model is so quiet, the only way I know it's running is a little noise when the fan stops after shut down. I've run all kinds of gear with this supply, and never a problem with overload, overheating or the dreaded hum.

And support is as easy as clicking the link above these reviews. The above link is also listed in the instruction manual.
AE4TR Rating: 2008-03-12
No support from pyramid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this power supply several years ago.
It's first problem showed up after about 6 months with the DC fan going bad. I replaced it with another fan outside the case. It served well since then, until a week ago and then the voltage meter stopped working. I have been searching for some support from Pyramid for a replacement meter. No luck, can't find pyramid support. The booklet they supply with it has a schematic (very small in size) No parts list, and no contact information in the book. I will never buy any
other products from PYRAMID..
W3RYJ Rating: 2008-02-09
Great supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Gentlemen, I bought this supply about 11 weeks ago and it works great. The first thing I did was to add a cooling fan (12vdc) to the back fins to keep the temperature at a very low level (I do this to all my equipment). I then measured the output with my Scope and got a total noise of about 1 mv(p-p) and this I attributed to the switching times for the 24vdc rectifiers. Under 25 amp load to my Orion on 70 watts, key down, the output was still <5mv (p-p) and the load regulation was better than .1% which I find is amazing. The Orion loves it, no sign of hum or noise on any band. NO switching noises, hurray!
NZ0T Rating: 2007-12-30
Good supply bad alarm Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I sent the first one I bought back because the alarm kept going off and there was some hum on the transmit audio of my rigs. They sent me another which worked fine except for the alarm going off again. I finally disconnected the alarm and it's been working fine since. It handles the 30 amps my TR7 pulls at full output fine and no problem at all with the 20 amps my K2/100 pulls.
KC9GUZ Rating: 2006-02-23
Good power supply!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I used to run one of these back in 1995 during my CB days to run an RCI 2970. It worked great!! The fan was a tad noisy ( could be heard on the RX end of a conversation) but otherwise it worked great! AFAIK the guy that bought the radio and power supply from me 10 years ago STILL to this day has the power supply!!!
KG6POG Rating: 2005-09-06
Great for the money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
These can be found for a little over $100.00 and are voltage adustable the meters are decent and reflect the power being used. I have hear terrible stories about Pyramid power supplies, but I own a few of them including the PS-9KX, PS-14KX, 2 of the PS-26KX 's, a PS-36KX and the PS-52KX and have never had any sort of problem with any of them.
The PS-52KX powers my Kenwood TS-480HX 200 watts drawing a little over 40 amps with now problem, and it's been in service for over a year.
The PS-36KX has been in use for a few months now, and it does a fine job powering my 150 watt RCI 2970DX 10-12 meter mobile that I occasionally use at home.

Maybe I've been lucky but I know three other Hams that use Pyramids and have for years with no problems.