[ARC5] Vibrator Power Supplies

[Robert Nickels]

On 11/21/2017 7:31 PM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
> I bet a vibrator driven supply would do a pretty decent job running a 
> modern computer!
I have a little contraption out in the garage which would make that test 
pretty easy, Peter.   It's mil but I can't recall the model number, but 
it's a vibrator type 110V inverter that runs from 24 volts.    I'll dig 
it out next time I have a chance, never really thought of a use for it.

The Mallory company made a line of vibrator power supply modules that 
were sold to OEMs to save them the trouble of having to design and build 
their own.   One of the 2Mhz marine radios I converted had one inside, 
and it was a pretty nice compact module (about 3 by 5" and maybe 4" 
tall) that put out 300VDC at maybe 100MA.    They were called 
"Vibrapacks" and evidently were used by police radios, according to this ad:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~cool386/elkonode/rsz_vibrapack_ad.jpg

The boat radio Vibrapack used a synchronous vibrator to perform 
rectification at the same time, which is really a slick 
electromechanical solution.   But the 0Z4 cold cathode rectifier tube 
was also used.

Lots of mobile ham transmitters were sold in the 50s which could run 
10-30 watts input using a vibrator supply or as much as 50 or 60 watts 
if you used a dynamotor.    The Gonset twins and a universal mobile 
supply made by James used heavy-duty vibrators for higher power,  
perhaps others did also.

73, Bob W9RAN