[W2CRA] 375 Status

[Bill Powell]

Don't celebrate too much folks...

Just got back home from the County Municipal RACES Net and stopped by to check things in the blockhouse.  It appears that the spare power supply bit the dust and we're running on the Astron backup which isn't really intended to do what it's doing.

The situation:  The battery plant should float at about 13.1 volts to assure the longest life of the cells.  Folks, they've got to be at least 20 years old now and are (were) still going strong. 
We DO NOT want to have to replace them - trust me.  First, we probably can't; I don't know that we can buy them.  Second, even if we could buy replacements, each 2V cell is going to cost us at least $1000.  Third, each cell must weigh at least 400 lbs, if not more.  Anyhow, the Astron is currently straining to make 12.95 volts when charging and, when the transmitter is on, the voltage drops to 12.35 volts; NOT a very good sign.  We WILL need to do some SERIOUS battery maintenance and I hope we can delay it till it is a bit warmer.
How unfortunate and sad that the heat pump (AC & Heater) that was donated to the club is still sitting on the cold concrete floor and not mounted in the hole that doesn't exist.

As for suggestions of using that mystical "something else", consider that the Henry amp draws as much as your car's starter.  How long can you crank?  Now size that up to where we can "crank the engine" for at least 24 hours straight.  As they say: "Rots of Ruck!"  It (that magical battery) MUST have at least 2400AH capacity and behave from -10 deg f through 120 deg f and last at least 10 years.  Anyone got a spare Shipstone of Mr. Fusion in their basement?

However, I received some good news: IOTA Engineering makes a 220V 55A Maintainer/charger that can be paralleled and used with a special version of their IQ Smart Controller to control both chargers.
I'm currently waiting for a price and availability
You can read about it here: http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls22055.htm 
and here: http://www.iotaengineering.com/iq.htm
I have been using a DLS-55/IQ for more than 2 years to power my entire station and maintain 2 of the cheapest Group29 "Deep Cycle" batteries I could get at K-Mart.  The batteries are still like new!  I hope I can say the same for the Cherryvolle battery plant in another 10 years.
The down-side?  Figure the club account is going to take a beating for at least $450.00 for two DLS220-50s and a dual IQ controller. ($207 + $207 + $35 + shipping)

Editorial: Think you can do it better and / or cheaper?  Be my guest!  Buy it, install it and own total responsibility.  Remember: 1) It MUST run from 220V AC.  You are NOT going to pull a kilowatt from a wall plug! 2) It must be capable of 13.1 volts from 1A thru 100A - CONTINUOUS DUTY!

Finally - Why am I so mean?  Sorry - it gets very tiring to be second-guessed by half-informed folks.   I get more than my share at work...

Bill - WB1GOT


On Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:30:59 +0000, you wrote:

>Bravo!
>Patrick
>N2VF
>
>-------------- Original message from Bill Powell <whp at att.net>: -------------- 
>
>
>> On this afternoon's commute home, Ed, N3MSK mentioned that he had heard a lot of 
>> activity on 015, which was unusual. 
>> When I got clear of college hill in Morristown I tried, and failed to bring up 
>> 375 and told Ed I'd go up and see what was up after dinner. Just west of 
>> Sommerville, on 202, I tried but couldn't bring up 444.85 either which hinted 
>> that there might be a common problem like power failing to the building. 
>> After dinner and on the way "up" I managed to key up both 375 and 444.85 but 
>> both were weak. 
>> On arrival I discovered that we might have yet another roof leak or that we have 
>> a battery problem: the Henry amp shipping carton was wet and broken down (it's 
>> now outsude in a heap) and the floor was mostly covered with a yellowish powder 
>> - NOT a good sign. 
>> The 12V (actually 13V) battery buss was down to 9.75 volts - not good at all. 
>> Either all 3 power supplies died or we had a shorted cell. 
>> I managed to raise Wes, N2VEK on 450 (THANKS Wes!) and agreed to meet him up 
>> there in an hour while I changed and bought a mess of baking soda - just in 
>> case. 
>> Tuens out that all 3 power supplies were shot. 
>> Fortunately, we had 2 spares of which one worked so we're up on one normal 
>> supply and the Astron backup. 
>> Currently we're back up on both 375 and 444.85 but, till the battery plant comes 
>> back up to 13V (it was 12.7 when we left) and 375 might not be putting out all 
>> 400 watts. HGive it a day or two as we'll have to monitor the battery float 
>> voltage and make sure it doesn't rise above 13.2 but is at least 13. 
>> Bottom line: Wes is going to see if any of the supplies are repairable or if a 
>> higher amperage supply is available. Otherwise we're going to have to come up 
>> with a power supply capable of 100A continuous duty. I have some candidates I'm 
>> researching. 
>> 
>> Q&A at the next meeting, 
>> Bill - WB1GOT 
>> 
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