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Reviews For: MFJ 1129

Category: DC Power Supply Distribution

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Review Summary For : MFJ 1129
Reviews: 8MSRP: 109.00
Description:
DC power strip with a total of 10 outlets (7 PowerPole and 3 binding posts). Installed fuses: two 1A, three 5A, three 10 amp, one 25A amp, one 40 amp. Outlets 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are Anderson PowerPole®. Outlet 3 is a 35 amp high current binding post; outlet 9, 10 are 15 amp binding posts. Built-in 0-25 VDC Voltmeter. ON/OFF switch for outlets 4-10, 20 amps total. Outlets 1, 2, 3 unswitched, handle 40 amps total. Includes 7 pairs of PowerPole® 14 40A contacts, 10 fuses (2 each of: 1, 5, 10, 25 and 40 amp).
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamps/1495.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084
W4AFK Rating: 2021-05-01
Meter showing 28Vdc and voltage drop Time Owned: more than 12 months.
1. Meter was wired for 28 Vdc. MFJ said that I had to open it and rewire. They told me it wasn't straightforward. So I ignore the voltage meter. This makes me wonder if any QA was done as it would have been 100% visible.

2. Losses - The DC drop is unacceptable. Running an IC7300 and the DC at the radio it drops while in TX with just 9A (low power data mode) to below 12 Vdc. When connected directly to the PSU, it's 13.8 Vdc. DC cable from radio is from OEM (ICOM) and it was connected to a high current binding post on the 1129
W4NNF Rating: 2019-11-04
The 1129 is a reasonably priced, well-made power strip Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Why did I buy the MFJ 1129? Because I was unhappy with a rather poorly made Power Poles power distribution strip from a rather well-known manufacturer in that area. I wasn't about to hand them more of my money, so I had a look at MFJ's offerings. The 1129 "deluxe DC multi-outlet strip" features 10 switched and un-switched power pole and binding post connectors. It looked pretty good and had to be better than what I had. Out came my credit card.

The 1129 was in stock at HRO's Atlanta store, so it was on my front porch in just a couple of days. As is typical for MFJ now, there was no printed manual; just instructions on where to download the 1129's five pages of instructions. Not that you'd really need them--it's pretty obvious how the thing works. Included, was a baggy of spare fuses and Power Pole connectors. Nice touch, I thought.

The three un-switched outlets can handle a total of 40 amps, while the switched ones can deliver a total of 20 amps. That's all just about perfect for my modest shack. In addition to a rocker type switch, there's an analog voltmeter, fuses for each outlet, and a heavy duty zip cord (permanently wired to the 1129) for connection to your power supply binding posts. The unit looks professionally made, moreso than some of the more plain MFJ offerings, and sports a heavy duty metal case with a couple of holes for mounting.

That's really all there is to say. Hooked it to my power supply, connected the rigs and other gear, and away we went. If the MFJ-1129 has enough outlets for you, you'd be foolish to pay what others want for their units.

NW2M Rating: 2017-11-29
Internal Inspection - Very Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My unit arrived last night for mounting an a 2-axle trailer to be used during Field Day. Clearly, this is not the same (poor) quality unit as the post back in 2007 listed below. I took it apart and it was very tidy on the inside. I have no complaints with the quality of soldering nor assembly. The voltage display was exact against my calibrated Fluke DMM. The fuses are standard automotive fuses, and the Powerpoles are original parts. Since this will be in a trailer, I tightened all the screws and applied a dab of paint. I plan to use this in a 12V environment, so a 10V-15V meter would provide a better voltage indication, vs a 0V-24V meter. So far, so good. I have no initial complaints nor worries. 73, NW2M
K6BUK Rating: 2016-03-28
Excellent Panel Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this panel for about 8 years and I have not had any problems with it. I opened it up when I first received it and the soldering was excellent. It looked like it was wave soldered, not hand soldered. I have plugged a number of things in at one time and had no problems. I did add an LED to the input side to show when the strip was powered up and added another LED to the switched side so I would know when that side was powered up. I would like to see a light in the volt meter but I am going to replace the meter with a digital volt/amp meter. I have a number of MFJ products including an MFJ-998 tuner, powered antenna switches, and more and have never had a problem with any of them. I am critical of poor design and construction and have no complaints. I would advise using standard practice of turning off the power if you do have to change a fuse. The fuse could accidentally short to the housing when installing it but if the power is off there is no issue. That advice goes to any fuse on any device. Always turn off the power before replacing the fuse. I have seen people burn their fingers because they replace a blown fuse with the power on and the fuse overheats. Also, I use automotive circuit breakers when troubleshooting problems. You can use short jumpers to plug them into the panel. Overall, a well designed and built panel.
W7JPK Rating: 2015-04-19
Was worried -But it works fine, looks good inside Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading the one bad review, and the 2 others, I decided to open up the new MFJ-1129 I just purchased at a Hamfest. It is very neat and clean inside, with no side of anything I would consider sloppy work. Then I hooked it up, plugged in 2 HF and 1-2m radios, plus meters, lights to tuners, etc. I used 8 of the 10 positions and everything worked just beautifully. One of the items hooked up was my MFJ-969 manual tuner, which has also served me perfectly for several years. My conclusion is that MFJ has "gotten the message" and is now putting more quality into its products. I feel better about them these days.
K8VL Rating: 2012-12-08
Well made Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was reluctant to purchase one of these based on one review I found here. But the review was very old and there was another one from Sept, 2012 that said it was well made. So I thought I'd give it a try. I was happy to find that it is indeed very well made. I also have a RIGrunner and admittedly the housing is nicer on the RIGrunner, the MFJ-1129 is well soldered, the connections are easy to access, and the unit overall more than suits my needs.
AC0SV Rating: 2012-09-20
Nicely made. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I alway open the things I buy, just in case. The MFJ 1129 I bought new is no exception. I found perfectly done solder joints, heavy duty PC board, and all connections properly made. I am an electronics teacher and I would give them an A for this one. It's design is good and the construction has no flaws. It works well for me and I especially like the large binding posts for my high current amplifier. If you purchase one and want to open it, take out the 4 black sheet metal screws that are located on the sides. Do not remove the 5th one in the middle of the side. You may have to insert a flat blade screw driver between the case and the bottom because the screw holes have a burr that holds them together as though a screw was still in the hole. The bottom will pop off and you can inspect the insides. I'm pleased enough that I am going to buy another for my other car.
WA4AOS Rating: 2007-03-11
NO QUALITY CONTROL Time Owned: N.A.
After having several MFJ products over the years and hearing MANY HORROR Stories about their Junk , I was reluctant to purchase anything from them. However, I wanted to build a Power distribution panel for the shack and after looking at the MFJ 1128 and MFJ 1129 at a Ham fest, I decided that even MFJ should be able to build something this simple. I bought the 1129, 1128, another smaller panel and 3 packs of power pole connectors. After getting home, I hooked up the 1129 and first thing I noticed was the switch did not work. I opened the unit and was totally disappointed with the AWFUL soldering job on the inside.

1)The wires going through the switch were POORLY
soldered on wire that was heavily oxidized.

2)Many of the larger solder lugs had COLD solder
joints.

3) There were bits of solder and wire fragments all over the inside of the case.

I did not open the other 2 units and will be sending the $300.00 pile of trash back to MFJ and will never make additional purchases from

M F JUNK !!!!!