From w2ev at yahoo.com Wed Feb 1 06:57:56 2017 From: w2ev at yahoo.com (Ev Tupis) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2017 11:57:56 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Rover] 12v Power Budget & Delivery In-Reply-To: References: <1563091150.3144470.1485911819776.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1563091150.3144470.1485911819776@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1542940590.3360200.1485950276610@mail.yahoo.com> Very nice, Rick!? A couple of questions... How long is the #8 wire between the main battery and the "aux" batteries? I'm interested in the "dressing and termination" of the power cables, too.? How do you route the #8 wire to the operating location? -and- How do you terminate it at the operating location when not in use as a rover? Also...are you a 1-op rover (1 band at a time) or do you use this setup with another op (TXing on multiple bands at the same time)? Finally...which voltage booster (make/model) did you decide upon? Again, thanks for your very thorough reply! Ev From: Rick R To: Ev Tupis ; Rover's for VHF Contesting and Grid Square Collecting Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 10:48 PM Subject: Re: [Rover] 12v Power Budget & Delivery I have six 12V deep discharge batteries in the rover. Two in parallel for bands ABCD and their amplifiers, Two in parallel for all micros and the 300W AC inverter for rotors and keeping laptop charged and small 12V DC bulbs for interior illumination. Two others in series for the amps that require 24-28VDC. I charge them (not the 24V series ones) continuously while operating by running my engine. I have a 400W 2m amp, 160W 6m amp, 120W 222 amp, 100W 432 amp, 100W 902 amp, 120W 1296 amp, 80W 2304 amp, 40W 3.4amp, 10W on 5G, 8W on 10G and 2W on 24G. The two in series generally last all contest as the 903 and 2304 amps that use it are only on briefly for a few dozen Q's. I use a 50 amp fuse from the main battery, #8 cable to a 100 amp solenoid to switch the charging from the van's stock alternator, which I think is about a 65A unit (2004 Ford E150). I monitor the charge amperage and the battery voltages with analog meters. I have, but have not used voltage boosters that can supply 13.8V from your 12V batteries, but drains them quicker. As it turns out, when my battery power sags, my FT736 behaves poorly, especially on 432. I ought to add the volltage booster for that rig. I have not experienced any problems with this arrangement, although there are those that will tell you that charging the batteries in a closed environment is problematic--but I keep some open window and the heat on in winter, and open the doors in summer, and I have also kept the A/C on. When I have the opportunity, I can use a 35 or 50A Astron to put in parallel with the batteries. I also have a Honda 2KW Inverter generator and a battery charger. But I have never used them in the rover. My batteries have a lifespan of about 5 years. Others have used those gigantic golf cart batteries (if you can lift them) and the Jacobson Accuvolt boosters. They charge the batteries only while in motion between stops. Many have also upgraded their alternators into the 100-150A range.? GL, 73, Rick? K1DS/R ______________________________________________________________ Rover mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/rover Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Rover at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From rick1ds at hotmail.com Wed Feb 1 14:04:17 2017 From: rick1ds at hotmail.com (Rick R) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2017 19:04:17 +0000 Subject: [Rover] 12v Power Budget & Delivery In-Reply-To: <1542940590.3360200.1485950276610@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1563091150.3144470.1485911819776.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1563091150.3144470.1485911819776@mail.yahoo.com> , <1542940590.3360200.1485950276610@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: see responses below Very nice, Rick! A couple of questions... How long is the #8 wire between the main battery and the "aux" batteries? That cable is about 10' long I'm interested in the "dressing and termination" of the power cables, too. How do you route the #8 wire to the operating location? I route it through the firewall, where there is a grommet that passes a lot of other stuff from cabin to engine compartments, It then passes under the carpeting of the cab. -and- How do you terminate it at the operating location when not in use as a rover? It is terminated at the solenoid, so when the solenoid is switched off, it is not connected to anything. I tried to find a 50-100A relay, but I saw this 12VDC solenoid switch at a flea mart and bought it. It had 2x 50A poles, and I parallel them together for extra margin of safety. The cable ends were all dressed with terminal rings and everything is screwed down with lock-washers too. Also...are you a 1-op rover YES (1 band at a time) or do you use this setup with another op (TXing on multiple bands at the same time)? You can also contact NN3Q (Russ & AL) and Pete K0BAK who are in my club as rovers and they use boosters. I am cc'ing them on this message so you will have their emails. Finally...which voltage booster (make/model) did you decide upon? I bought a 30A one from a guy that advertised 10 years ago in QST. Likely He's no longer making. Then there is TGE that I bought--a 40A unit. He advertises in QST. http://stores.tgelectronics.org/ He has units up to 80A. Then there's the Jacobs Accuvolt http://www.jacobselectronics.com.au/raceaccuvolt.htm and their prices are in Australian dollars. You can also check eBay. I see that in October, a 100A unit sold for $125. GL es 73, just send any more questions if you have. Rick K1DS Race Accuvolt - Jacobs Electronics www.jacobselectronics.com.au Jacobs Electronics Guarantees the Following 1/4 Mile Results: If the present 1/4 mile ET is: ACCUVOLT REDUCES ET BY AT LEAST Accuvolt at 14V TG Electronics stores.tgelectronics.org TG Electronics - Home of the N8XJK Boost Regulators. Boost and regulate your DC voltage. Again, thanks for your very thorough reply! Ev From: Rick R To: Ev Tupis ; Rover's for VHF Contesting and Grid Square Collecting Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 10:48 PM Subject: Re: [Rover] 12v Power Budget & Delivery I have six 12V deep discharge batteries in the rover. Two in parallel for bands ABCD and their amplifiers, Two in parallel for all micros and the 300W AC inverter for rotors and keeping laptop charged and small 12V DC bulbs for interior illumination. Two others in series for the amps that require 24-28VDC. I charge them (not the 24V series ones) continuously while operating by running my engine. I have a 400W 2m amp, 160W 6m amp, 120W 222 amp, 100W 432 amp, 100W 902 amp, 120W 1296 amp, 80W 2304 amp, 40W 3.4amp, 10W on 5G, 8W on 10G and 2W on 24G. The two in series generally last all contest as the 903 and 2304 amps that use it are only on briefly for a few dozen Q's. I use a 50 amp fuse from the main battery, #8 cable to a 100 amp solenoid to switch the charging from the van's stock alternator, which I think is about a 65A unit (2004 Ford E150). I monitor the charge amperage and the battery voltages with analog meters. I have, but have not used voltage boosters that can supply 13.8V from your 12V batteries, but drains them quicker. As it turns out, when my battery power sags, my FT736 behaves poorly, especially on 432. I ought to add the volltage booster for that rig. I have not experienced any problems with this arrangement, although there are those that will tell you that charging the batteries in a closed environment is problematic--but I keep some open window and the heat on in winter, and open the doors in summer, and I have also kept the A/C on. When I have the opportunity, I can use a 35 or 50A Astron to put in parallel with the batteries. I also have a Honda 2KW Inverter generator and a battery charger. But I have never used them in the rover. My batteries have a lifespan of about 5 years. Others have used those gigantic golf cart batteries (if you can lift them) and the Jacobson Accuvolt boosters. They charge the batteries only while in motion between stops. Many have also upgraded their alternators into the 100-150A range. GL, 73, Rick K1DS/R ______________________________________________________________ Rover mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/rover Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Rover at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Rover mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/rover Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Rover at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From W3DHJ at jonz.net Mon Feb 13 13:37:23 2017 From: W3DHJ at jonz.net (Jonesy W3DHJ) Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:37:23 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Rover] hmmmmm... Message-ID: Here's something to think about for future VHF contests and new "Worked All ...." certificates. http://what3words.com/ 73 Jonesy W3DHJ calm.instruments.absorbing