Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR or 4O3A Genius Product Software?
SmartSDR v4.1.3 | SmartSDR v4.1.3 Release Notes
SmartSDR v3.10.15 | SmartSDR v3.10.15 Release Notes
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.

Data: FR 6400 Power Draw

Pat_W5WTH
Pat_W5WTH Member ✭✭
in FLEX-6000 Signature Series

I leave my rig on 24x7 and was curious as to the power consumption. I took three quickie reading.

Setup was FLEX 6400 and PowerWerx SS-30DV. US Mains, 120VAC

~43W draw in Receive only.

~165W draw with Transmit power at 10W during CW keydown.

~400W draw with Transmit power at 100W during CW keydown.

Comments

  • Neil D Friedman N3DF
    Neil D Friedman N3DF Member ✭✭✭✭

    Why would a solid-state receiver draw 43 watts?

  • Pat_W5WTH
    Pat_W5WTH Member ✭✭
    edited February 2021

    It's the measurement I got. Granted, I did not use a lab grade AC power analyzer to make the measurement.

    The FR is basically a high end PC + some other 'stuff'. 43W seems ok to me. Plus, this includes the Powerwerks supply.

  • Neil D Friedman N3DF
    Neil D Friedman N3DF Member ✭✭✭✭

    The manual for my 6600M says it draws about 1.7 amps in receive.

  • Neil D Friedman N3DF
    Neil D Friedman N3DF Member ✭✭✭✭

    The manual for my 6600M says it draws about 1.7 amps in receive.

  • Lionel
    Lionel Member ✭✭✭

    My 6400 is using less than 2A in RX, as shown on my PS ammeter. I don't ever recall seeing it any higher in RX.

  • Neil D Friedman N3DF
    Neil D Friedman N3DF Member ✭✭✭✭

    The manual for my 6600M says it draws about 1.7 amps in receive.

  • Patrick
    Patrick Member ✭✭✭
    edited February 2021

    Assuming that the PS is an analog type. One has to work the power consumption backward to the mains. The stated consumption is for 13.8 V at 1.7 A, that works out to 23.46 W on the DC side. Analog PS’s are around 50% efficient, and thus working backwards is 2x23.46=46.92 W, minus losses, which brings it to an estimated 43 W as presented. So it is pretty close to specifications. If a switching PS would have been used, which are around 93% efficient. Then the losses would be around 7 percent giving us about 25 watts at the mains based on 1.7A at 13.8 volts.

  • Stan VA7NF
    Stan VA7NF Member ✭✭✭

    The draw in TX is in two parts, A) the bias applied to the final amplifier and B) Output power.

    Flex seems to use a near class A amplifier with increasing bias for higher power, lacking more detailed data, the ROUGH calculations, as I have witnessed with a FR 6700 and using the previously reported power levels:

    RX: 43W total - 27W FR in receive = 16W PS overhead at 2A draw (PS power servicing the 2A (27W) FR draw)

    TX at 10W CW Key down: 165W total - 25W PS overhead at 10A - 25W FR electronics without final - 10W transmit CW = 110W bias

    TX at 100W CW Key down: 400W total - 45W PS overhead - 25W FR electronics - 100W transmit CW = 230W bias

    These numbers demonstrate the FR final bias is roughly double the peak power output with a 100W minimum. This biasing keeps the final from producing clipping harmonics and other output distortions especially for SSB signals (as a much older CW amplifier does while running in class C)

    Be thankful the FR produces such a clean output at such a low final voltage.

  • Pat_W5WTH
    Pat_W5WTH Member ✭✭

    @Stan VA7NF ... your measures seem to align with mine. Thanks!

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Thanks for this Stan. I noticed that my Flex 6400 is pretty **** my RV batteries when doing a lot of transmitting (like during Field Day). This explains why! Well, I am glad to sacrifice some efficiency to gain signal purity. There are so many terrible, splattery signals out there and I am just glad to not be one of them!

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Thanks for the explanation Stan, I really appreciate it! I was wondering why my Flex 6400 was so **** my RV batteries when I transmit a lot (like during Field Day), and now I know! Well, I would rather lose a little efficiency than put out a crummy, splattery (is that even a word??) signal. There are so many terrible signals from misadjusted equipment out there, I am just glad to not be one of them!

Leave a Comment

Rich Text Editor. To edit a paragraph's style, hit tab to get to the paragraph menu. From there you will be able to pick one style. Nothing defaults to paragraph. An inline formatting menu will show up when you select text. Hit tab to get into that menu. Some elements, such as rich link embeds, images, loading indicators, and error messages may get inserted into the editor. You may navigate to these using the arrow keys inside of the editor and delete them with the delete or backspace key.

Comment As ...

Categories