Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Ameritron Step-Start Inrush Current Protector ICP-240

Category: Filters, AC Line

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Ameritron Step-Start Inrush Current Protector ICP-240
Reviews: 18MSRP: 79
Description:
Ameritron's Step-Start Inrush Current Protector stops damaging inrush current. By starting your linear amplifier through a high power current limiting resistor and then shorting the resistor with a relay, you get a start up sequence that's easy on your tube and power supply components.

Now you can add this protection to your amplifier without complicated wiring -- you don't even have to take the cover off. Simply plug your amplifier power cord into the Ameritron Inrush Current Protector. By limiting heavy inrush current to safe low level, you'll get a longer lasting amplifier. You might avoid replacing expensive tubes and components. Avoiding just one repair job could pay for this extended protection.

Momentary high-voltage "spikes" in the ac line can also cause damage to your amplifier. The Ameritron Inrush Current Protectors have built-in varistors to absorb these spikes before they can cause damage. Works with nearly all linear amplifiers. The Ameritron ICP-240 is for 240 volt wired amplifiers. Limits current to 12 amperes during heavy draw inrush period. 20 amperes continuous operating current.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=ICP-240
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
32.3183.7
NP2GG Rating: 2023-01-06
Working fine after wrong fuses used during assembly! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased one of these to use with my Mercury IIIs amp connected to a 240v circuit. I wanted some type of surge protection and a more convenient main switch option than the amplifier's rear cabinet switch. I don't need inrush surge protection since it's a solid state amp.

I had problems with the ICP-240 blowing the externally accessible inline fuses with only moderate output power from the amp, less than 600 watts. There are two inline fuses on the AC input side and one on the internal PC board. This is a different design than the schematic that came with the item and is also available on line. All three fuses used in my ICP-240 were glass 2 amp time delay type. The schematic shows only one 2 amp fuse. There also is one MOV, not two as the schematic shows.

A call to Ameritron quickly revealed the problem. The AC inline fuses are supposed to be 15 amp ceramic fast acting fuses, available at Home Depot or Lowes and used commonly for microwaves. A trip to my local HD found what I needed for about $6 and all is fixed and working well.

I've read other reports about fuses blowing and suspect this is not a unique flaw. Luckily, it is remediable.
W4VR Rating: 2022-11-11
OK if you can get rid of the noisy relay... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these units a few years ago to use with my PW-1 amplifier. I bought it not so much for the inrush current protection as I did for the voltage surge protection that is missing in the PW-1. The relay has been chattering for years. Yesterday, 7-19-2020, I took the unit apart and placed a piece of electrical tape on the relay stationary part right above the coil, where the contact arm is located, and that took care of the relay chatter but it's back. I just threw the unit into the garbage can.
NY6U Rating: 2022-11-10
Main line fuse and fuse holder have quality issues Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two ICP-120s which I have alternately used with my AL-811H at no higher than about the 300-400W level. This translates to about 3.5-4A input AC current@120VAC. However, in an effort to ensure these units were up to meeting the 20A rated spec, I proceeded to run 15A input AC current (over 1700W) @120VAC. One of the ICP-120s gave out, and upon further inspection, I discovered that the input line fuse overheated, failed open, and caused the fuse holder to melt and weld the other end of the fuse to it thus making it unremovable! That plastic holder for that 20A line input fuse is not very sturdy at all. So I decided to replace it with a heavier-duty holder. Currently testing it at 900W steady input power to see how it holds up. I believe the same situation applies to the ICP-240 unit since it simply will have two input fuses, one for each input phase. Beware of this if you're using these inrush protectors with significant steady-state input currents nearing 20A. MFJ should have installed better-quality fuse holders.
W6YH Rating: 2022-04-19
Kept blowing fuses Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased one for my Drake L-4B amplifier hoping I could switch the amp off and on via the ICP-240. The specs were different from a few vendors so I called Ameritron before purchasing the ICP-240 to verify that it will handle >15 amps @ 240vac. They assured me that it would as they use one in the near legal limit amp, and, they just upgraded the relay. Well, when tuning up the amp to only 600w or so, a fuse blew. I tried again just in case the fuse was bad, but blew it again. Fortunately the staff at Ham Radio outlet took it back. It would probably work fine on equipment that requires 10a@240vac or so, but not 15a@240vac, assuming the specs are correct on my Drake L-4b Amp. As a side note, Ameritron technical support was not very helpful and simply said "oh well".
YS1RS Rating: 2021-03-13
Great product! Protects and saves my amp power switch! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this for many years now with zero failures.
Own an - older than me - Collins 30L-1 amplifier. I use this device to protect the amp from in-rush current and also from using the power switch which is made of unobtainium material.
The power switch on the Collins can not be replaced as those are no longer in production. It is also very hard to reach to be serviced. Same happens with all Drake amplifiers.

Save your scarce and expensive power button by leaving your amp's power switch on all the time and turn it on/off using the power switch on the Ameritron instead. This is cheap insurance for your expensive amplifier as W4KVW said and protecting from surges/spikes and in-rush current at same time.

I just bought an old Drake L75 amp. So will be ordering a second unit to use on this one.

73
Rob.
YS1RS
W4KVW Rating: 2018-11-26
No Issues Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using the ICP-240 for about 10 years now with Zero issues.It is Cheap Insurance to me.I would buy another if needed.

W7WZ Rating: 2018-11-26
Saved my AL-1200 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
BOOM! In the middle of a contest my Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier shut down. It sounded like a blown electrolytic capacitor had exploded. Visual inspection of the interior showed no damage. Why did the amplifier lose power?

Next in line was the ICP-240. Visual inspection of it showed no damage. Plugged the AL-1200 into the wall outlet and it worked fine. Put the ICP-240 back inline and no power flowed. Visual inspection of the fuses in the ICP-240 showed no damage. Checked both with an ohm meter, no continuity. Blown fuses from a voltage spike.

Really, an $80 investment in a Inrush protection circuit saved the expensive amplifier? A replacement tube would cost $1,995. Yes I would buy the Inrush ICP-240 again.
KE0ZT Rating: 2018-02-06
Good Idea, But QC Problem Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I ordered the ICP-120 (120 volt version) to lessen the surge on my equipment. Instead of functioning correctly, it oscillated, with the relay clicking on and off. I returned the unit to the factory and they fixed it, saying that the relay was defective. It works ok now. Apparently, others have also had trouble with this inexpensive relay.

An outboard inrush protector is a good idea for a product. You don't have to modify your existing equipment. I wish the delay were just a little bit longer, but I'm sure it helps as is. I may buy another in the future -- perhaps redesigning it to work even better.
N9ZI Rating: 2016-04-08
Works Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had it for a few years now, switch my amp on & off with no complaints - am happy with what it is doing.
W9OWO Rating: 2016-04-08
Using as Master Switch for Operating Desk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a 20A power strip that feeds some walwarts and my Astron PS that serves two radios and numerous 12V accessories. My ICP-120 is the only on/off control for the entire desk. I believe that everything benefits from the reduced startup shock, plus I have only one switch to startup or shutdown. The relay "click" just tells me it's working. I feel that the price is fair and the product is well made.