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Reviews For: Alinco DM-330MVT

Category: Power Supplies

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Review Summary For : Alinco DM-330MVT
Reviews: 161MSRP: 219.95 Street $169.95
Description:
Specifications: Input voltage: AC120VAC(MVT) / 220VAC(MVZ) Output voltage : 5 to 15VDC variable Output voltage variation: less than 2% Protection: short-circuit, Automatic current limiting over 32A, over-temperature Output current: 32A(max), 30A(continuous) Ripple: less than 15mVp-p at rated load Fuse: 8A Meter: single volt/current meter, back-lit Size: 175(w) x 67(h) x 165(d) mm Weight: approx. 2 Kg
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.alinco.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151614.4
N4GG Rating: 2003-12-31
Not Useable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
An awful noise-box. There is a reason they put a control on the front panel to shift the frequency of the generated noise around - the designers knew you might need it. If you stay above 10 MHz, and particularly if you are a VHF/FM type - this supply should be fine. If you have any serious interest in 80 or 160 meters its hopeless - birdies and hash all over the place. Broadcast band and below SWLing is impossible. The nice HRO folks took it back after one day and I exchanged it for a good old Astron non-switcher.
KD7PLU Rating: 2003-12-25
Two Years, 100% On-Time, No Problems . . . Time Owned: more than 12 months.
You can't beat the price and quality. My fan has never kicked on, and I use this PS to supply six radios (Including two HF) and several other little things, like packet modems, panel lamps, ect . . .) Average idle load (With what I have on at one time) is about 5A@13.8V. The unit never gets above room temperature and the fan never turns on, even when I'm at 100W 6 Meter CW/SSB with my 25W Packet keyed and three other radios on.

I've never used the preset, remote or other 'features', just set it to 13.8, verified with a multimeter and ran with it. Problem free operation for almost two years of continuous duty. I've only turned it off when remodeling the shack, during a power failure or when God throws bolts at my zipcode. :-)

I like the little stereo jack and cigarette ports on fron panel, they're great for little projects and testing stuff. The Amp/Voltage switch is great, I like to see where my load is when transmitting. I have a Daiwa SS-330W PS also- This is also a good PS, but doesn't have the extra outputs. They're both great products, but I also like the clean look of the Alinco model, and only have the Daiwa as a backup.

When I do the re-remodel of my shack, I will probably buy a second DM-330MV to isolate my HF gear from my other stuff. Anything that is still functional after two years of me being the owner deserves five stars.
VE3UFI Rating: 2003-10-17
Works Perfectly Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've been using this power supply for over 7 months now and I still haven't heard the cooling fan.

I keep listening but no noise anywhere! I guess I got lucky.

I use it with my Yaesu FT-857 and an MFJ941 tuner. It makes for a simple, low profile and effective shack.

I'm very pleased.

73's
F5BUD Rating: 2003-09-23
Excellent value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After having consulted all reviews about the power supply Alinco DM-330MV, I decided to purchase it.

Although informed by various articles on the fact that this power supply generate many birdies, I was disappointed with listening of the low bands (160M and below).

In spite of the adjustment "Noise-offset" it was very difficult to listen another thing that the birds produces by the power supply.

I tried well to add capacitors on the 12V but nothing made there until I insert a AC line filter.

This is a filter 'Schaffner' taken on an old electronics component and marvellous all the noises disappeared.

In fact all birdes are not disappeared, remaining only the harmonics of the frequency switching and they are easily modifiable by the ajust button.

Even listening on the VLF is finally possible.

The filter ' Schaffner' Fn332-3/01 is a metal model with two coil of 2mH and some capacitors.

If you are in this case, think there, it is radical. The same method must be effective on the computer supplies, other screens and in a general way all that contains a switching power supply.

I use this unit with my TS-870. I don't hear the fan. I use the memory preset switch. This supply is small and light and this is an excellent power supply.
KB1FZA Rating: 2003-09-09
Excellent power supply Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Alinco DM-330MVT is very quiet, light and nice looking power supply. It works very well, powering my K2, K2/100 and a FT-100D. I had some switching noise on 40m that I was able to move out of the way using the nice Noise Shift feature but after proper grounding of the power supply the noise went away completely. The power supply doesn’t get very hot and the temperature controlled fan does nice job cooling it. The memory preset is very useful when charging the gel cell in my K2, which requires slightly higher charge voltage.
Another cool (undocumented)(!) feature is a 110/220V switch located on the INSIDE of the power supply which makes it very good for international travel (did I mentioned the unit is very small and light) - the only other thing you'll need is a power plug adapter. (I believe the only differences between the MVT model (110v) and the MVZ model (220V) is the position of the switch and the type of power cord.)
(there is a hole on the bottom cover which allows fliping the switch, using long screwdriver without opening the supply - but be very Carefull!!! - unplug the supply, discharge the capacitor by leaving a load connected while unplugging it, and put a sticker to remind you about the state of the switch - you'll damage the supply if you run it on 220v, while the switch is set to 110V or vice-versa you are not going to get sufficinet output)
Another interesting feature is the remote control jack - you can plug in a remote voltage potentiometer (the schematic is in the manual)- if the power supply is in another room or if you need very fine voltage tunning you can use special potentiometer.
Small gripes:
1. The display light of the voltmeter is very dim - it could be a bit better.
2. 3 wire power cord would be nice
3. I use the memory preset switch very often so I would like to have it on the front panel.
Other than that it is an excellent power supply.

Schematics and service manual are available on the Alinco's web site in case someone needs to service the unit or to calibrate the voltmeter/ammeter or the voltage control knob. (My unit was right on, but some ppl complained about the lowest voltage, not beeing exactly 5.00V, or the middle of the voltage knob not beeing excatly 13.80V - adjusting those is very easy once you look at the scematics). Also I am getting a little wider voltage range then the specified in the manual thru the memory preset potentiometer - 4.50V to 15.5V)
WA5EOG Rating: 2003-07-23
Fantastic Unit Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I wanted a small, efficient power supply for using in my RV, primarily to use with my 706 MKIIG. I could not have decided on a better piece of equipment. I also use it in my shack to power my TS-570DG. After buying the 570, I found that my Astron PS-20M did not have enough punch for the 570. The DM-330V just chugs along great. I have my Clear Speech speaker powered via the cigarette lighter plug, on the front panel and it just works without a flaw. I'd been told that switching power supplies are not the best but this one certainly belies that thought. I can lay my hand directly on top of the heat sink fins and it is barely warm and I have yet to hear any noise, of any kind, caused by it. I raved about it to a ham friend and he decided to get one too. So far, he likes his as well as I do mine.
KC8DEJ Rating: 2003-06-11
The little power supply that could. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Simply the best power supply I have ever had. Runs 24/7 witout any problems. I use it to power a IC-706MKIIG and it does that with ease. No noise noted. OK...OK... I suppose that the meter lighting could be better.

I recomend this power supply to anyone looking to power up a 100W rig.
NM6S Rating: 2003-05-08
Small, robust, but RFI at <10 MHz Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm using it with icom 706mkIIg. Good power quality, low mechanical (fan) noise, small and light, sexy look.

Alas, it makes numerous birdies on 40m. As other reviewers have stated, the hash keeps moving, and with that many birdies tuning is difficult. Tried different grounding without success, and will be replacing it with a linear PS (probably Astron RS-35M).
N3KVD Rating: 2002-12-25
Great features / Low price Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use this unit to power a 50w VHF radio, plus an HF rig used as a receiver only. I don't think the fan has ever come on. This supply is so small and light, I am considering buying another one for my portable station. At $139, it's a deal!
K9XYZ Rating: 2002-12-25
Great small 32 amp supply Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using the DM-330MV for a short time now with a new TS 2000. No noise I can find on any band. Very quiet PS with no fan noise and it stays pretty cool too. Like the features and size of the PS, so far it's a keeper!!
73