[CC-ARES-RACES] Backup 12VDC Power Source at Home

[Flick, Darryl L.]

With the continued focus on standardization of our 12v connections among the varied pieces of radio gear we may own and share (especially during an emergency or drill), I have been slowly bringing my radio room to that desirable standard.  Recently, I installed the WestMountain PowerGate between my RigRunner 12V power strip and a Marine Deep Cycle battery.  For the minor expenditure of cash and time, this is really neat.  And a must for that home shack that is either in a fringe area of SMECO transmission lines, and/or without standby 110V electrical power.  

Simply, the 12V battery is outside of the radio room, and in a well-ventilated space.  In the radio room is a 12 circuit, individually fused 12V power strip, which is the standard issue and widely popular WestMountain, with Anderson PowerPole 30a connectors.  In between, located outside of the radio room, and in a rack/cabinet, is my Astron 35m power supply that feeds the PowerGate from the top.  Then the PowerGate feeds to the right to the battery, and to the left to the inside of the Radio Room and directly to the power strip.  When the 110v power is fed (normal conditions), the power strip is energized via the Astron.  The Astron also provides trickle charge through the PowerGate to the battery.  When the 110v power fails, the power strip is instantaneously energized by the battery....without a blip. The rack/cabinet is also well ventilated with muffin fans.  The battery is kept outside of that cabinet.  Because the battery is not gel cell or similar, those corrosive and combustible off-gases were a great concern.  The deep cycle battery is nice and I got it on sale for about $50.00.  Granted, the gel cell is my first choice, costs more, and I will consider that when replacement time comes around. During heavy drain periods on the deep cycle battery of mine, I simply pull it outside to the lower patio and hook up the "big guns" charger without fear of gases or corrosives in the air.  That trickle charge provided by the PowerGate is very handy and effective. And taking that a step even further, If I am finding myself without house current and the deep cycle needs a boost, my standby 5kW generator will handle that task.

Anyhow, I was so pleased with this arrangement that I thought I'd pass it along.  The outlay was about $220.00.  And by the way, Cable Experts version of #10 wire is very slightly larger in diameter than more common versions.  This is not a big deal until you try to connect an Anderson PowerPole plug onto it, and hope that it goes "click".  That "click" means it locked in and is ready to go.  I had to slightly spread the split on the connector, and made it work very nicely.  I have been using a minor dab of Crazy Glue between the red plug plastic case and the black plug plastic case to ensure they stay firmly in place.  That worked quite well.

More Fun with Radio.
73
Lee Flick, N3YWZ