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Reviews For: N8XJK 12Volt Boost Regulator

Category: Emergency/Portable Power: generators, solar, wind, thermal, etc

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Review Summary For : N8XJK 12Volt Boost Regulator
Reviews: 28MSRP: 155
Description:
This Boost Regulator was designed to supply a constant voltage to the radio or other equipment regardless of the battery voltage. The Boost Regulator is a switching power supply that regulates the output and boosts the voltage to your equipment. The increased voltage prevents distortion commonly seen on modern mobile radios. It also maintains transmit power and allows longer operation from a battery.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://stores.tgelectronics.org/Detail.bok?no=7
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.6
K7VO Rating: 2012-06-25
Great product! Fieldday workhorse boosted score.. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used the N8XJK 30 amp Boost Regulator for Field Day 2012, on my sailboat, marine mobile class (C1). What a great device! I was able to use my big battery for the entire contest with the K3 and set 14 volts for the rig. Even though the battery dropped to 10.5 volts the rig always got 14. My output was at 100 watts rather than 60-75. Of my 665 contacts I attribute 75 or more to the improved output power. Flawless, steady performance over 24 hours of transmission. When I used my generator I got S5 noise but with the battery boosted I got S1. No more generator hash! Wish I had gotten one of these 10 years ago.
N1CP Rating: 2012-02-02
very poor documentation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having heard good things I purchased but am very unhappy with the inadequate documentation concerning operation. After several emails the company was still unable to provide any specific information as to how to use the RF Enabling feature. There were no pictures or specific information. All I got was "connect T your antenna to the connector on the front and throw the switch to RF Enable" Huh! I hope he doesn't give up his day job and go into teaching or writing documentation for a living.
W6IWW Rating: 2012-01-20
A Winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the 40 amp Super Booster. Consider this a rave review. Tim answered all pre-sale questions immediately and clearly. The unit is built like a tank but is smaller and much lighter weight than it appears in the pics. I connected mine in the cab of the car and ran the cable to an IC-7000 mounted in the trunk. With 12.1 volts in from a battery not being charged, it produced 14.2 volts at the output cables. Key down on the IC-7000 after an 11-12 foot cable run, it drops to 14.1. Not too shabby. I installed the optional ferrites and am getting no rfi from the booster and overall my noise is way down. I leave it enabled all the time (shut it off at night, guys) and see no reason to use the RF sensing. Just leave it on. The IC-7000 loves the steady power and my output from the rig is now at full tilt all the time. More importantly, the rig stopped shutting down on 40 meters which had been a constant problem (combination of low voltage and RF). That reminds me, whether or not you are using a booster, your mobile station is only as good as your grounding, bonding and choking. Anyway, this unit is a dandy. Tim is a professional and maintains excellent and lightning fast customer service. No hesitation, go for it. P.S. Did I mention that with normal SSB use the unit barely gets warm and the fan has yet to have to come on.
KK5JY Rating: 2012-01-17
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
One of these is permanently mounted in my truck, attached to my HF 100W radio. When the engine is running, I leave it off, and the voltage drop is fairly small. When the vehicle is parked and I'm spending a lot of QSO time, such as during a contest, I'll turn it on and it does exactly what it is supposed to do.

I have also used one of these in extended operation for Field Day for my 1E class station. Even running a 100W radio on CW/RTTY, plus several other small 12V gadgets, it only becomes warm to the touch. My version does not have a fan, nor does it seem to need it.

I have never been able to trace any noise in the ham bands back to the device. I wish my other gear was that quiet. I have never used the RF sense feature on the booster, because I have never needed it.

For emergency/backup operation from a large battery, this is THE device to have.

Make sure the battery you use can handle deep cycling. I use the booster only on Optima batteries, but there are other manufacturers of appropriate batteries.
WA1GZY Rating: 2011-12-07
Simply the Best! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Utilizing a custom 80 amp (120 amp peak) Super Battery Booster/Regulator to maintain a stiff 14.2 volt DC supply for Icom 7000 / SGC 500 linear amp mobile installation. Key down at 600+ watts the output voltage holds firm at 14.1 volts!
The Super Booster was ordered with an optional Anderson Power Pole output connector and also a "prototype" twin digital meters which display both the input battery voltage and Super booster regulator output voltage with large, easy to read blue LED's. This installation is very likely the first mobile HF equipped 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The extra isolation of the N8XJK regulator may also be a factor in mediation of the Volt's computer "hash" RFI noise level which now is operational on all bands from 160 through 70 cm.
Tim Gerdeen has a winner here!!
W8NLZ Rating: 2011-08-16
This Booster is free of RFI Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading reviews on12VDC Battery Boosters of various manufacturers, I purchased the TG Electronics "New" Battery Booster equipped with 4 ft leads. Also purchased a set of two "Hi Frequency Toroids) from TGE. Wound 8-9 turns per toroid for both the Input and Output leads putting the toroid as close to the booster box as possible. (See W0QE website for details). Result is no discernible RFI or "birdies" anywhere from 80M to 10M. Big sigh of relief! (Mod took 20 minutes.)

Operating experience to-date has been excellent. Powering a Kenwood TS-850S from a 50AH gel cell. I operate SSB at 100W PEP and the N8XJK just holds the voltage steady within 0.1 VDC of setting. With no load, the N8XJK only consumes about 2 watts in boost mode, so I leave it in that mode all the time.

Unit appears very well built. Tim at TGE is very responsive to questions. Looking forward to many years of service in the field with the New N8XJK.
K0ZR Rating: 2009-04-18
A Must for Field Day Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This product delivers exactly what is advertised. I am so happy with this device that although I have had it a short time, I am posting my positive experience. This is a MUST for Field Day operations -- my intended use.
W0QE Rating: 2008-05-21
Very useful addition for mobile use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have made numerous measurements on the noise from the N8XJK battery booster which can be see at http://www.bnk.com/W0QE/N8XJK_battery_booster.html for those interested. I did hear a small amount of noise which was curable. The need for the booster was due to the replacement of my IC-706mkIIg with an IC-7000 which needs a "little" more voltage to produce a 100W especially for SWRs that are not 1.0:1. See http://www.bnk.com/W0QE/IC7000_vs_IC706_mobile_pwr.html for a comparison. I am in no way affiliated with either Dan or Tim at TGE ELectronics nor am I selling anything. I have made several hundred mobile contacts with the unit installed and have over 40K mobile contacts in the past 5 years.

73, Larry, W0QE
WA1TNR Rating: 2008-03-25
A permanent addition to the shack Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've owned the N8XJK 12V boost-regulator since
requesting one from Tim in early to mid 2007, when
there were fewer reviews available. Tim sends
out regular product updates via e-mail; I decided
to check with eHam to see how the unit has been
received by the ham community in recent months.

The N8XJK boost-regulator I have is an early 2007,
fanless design, and has paper labels by the switches
(2 ea.); ports (3 ea.) and indicators (2 ea.). Newer
units appear to have a silk-screened chassis. There
are more variants offered today; one is sealed for
use in a marine environment; another has a cooling
fan (and is rated for higher current than mine, I'd
guess).

After several rewrites, I've come to the conclusion
I don't know how to write a review I'd admire if
someone else wrote it. I gave the N8XJK a 4 but with
a smirk; it probably gets a 5, but I want them fancy
silk-screenings with no cost, effort or anything
else. Major Nelson had a genie; I don't and would
have to lift a finger myself ..and I'm back quiet.
KB9VCS Rating: 2008-02-26
Sturdy Design, performs as advertised! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Tim at TGE was great with my email questions. I received the unit promptly and wired it up to my 2 meter base/mobile rig right away. Nice that I can finally run my rig on full power (if necessary) with much more mileage off of my two deep cycle batteries in the shack before my radio starts to starve from low voltage. My opinion is that it comes with clean workmanship and top shelf performance. I ran it for over two hours the first morning with the radio at all power settings (5,10,25,60 watts) and the batteries ranging from full charge to about half discharged and it gave me the solid service that I was looking for. Features I am using include: low battery alert, adjustable output voltage and bypass/enable switch.
Also, the Anderson power pole connectors sure are convenient and make for a nice solid connection with easy detachment.
My radio is now a happy camper and ready for emergency use!