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Power Supply Issue

KG5PTE
KG5PTE Member ✭✭
in FLEX-6000 Signature Series

Hello I noticed FR Stack is reporting low voltage (12.3 VDC) with this Power Werx SS-30DV power supply. But my Astron SS-50M-AP is showing 14.1 VDC on FR Stack. When I connect my Fluke multi-meter to the end of the power pole it reads 13.9 VDC. So I do not know why the Flex 6400 and FR Stack is only showing 12.3 VDC and not 13.9 VDC. This was the Power Werx SS-30DV was the power supply given to me when I purchased the radio. Should I open a trouble ticket ? Is there a way to get a replacement power supply ?

Answers

  • Gord-VA7GP
    Gord-VA7GP Member ✭✭✭

    I have general thoughts, but cannot help you with your Q about replacement PowerWerx…

    Shortly after I bought my Flex 6400, I noticed FRStack was reading low-ish. That led me to measuring my (Astron 35A) power-supply, my PowerPole distribution (West Mountain RigRunner) my wire lengths and-gauges, and all my connections. Both no-load and full-roar TX.

    First - FRStack will report the "important" internal voltage deep within your radio. It will be different from what you measure right on the PowerPole connector going into the radio. I chose to set my FRStack reading at 14.2VDC inside the radio; working backwards that wound up being a power-supply setting around 14.6 or more. It seemed, no matter what I did, I still had drops through my RigRunner, even after cleaning all fuse-blades, soldering and aligning (flat) all PowerPole contacts, using contact-cleaner, and ensuring short 10-gauge wire everywhere.

    I have a few other pieces attached to my RigRunner, so I had to dig out 30-year-old manuals to determine if they could accept almost 15V. Despite the Flex being a nominal "12V radio" it is deeply unhappy with such low voltage. Even my original 13.6V was occasionally hiccuping and clearly not quite enough.

    I used small (resistor-lead) wires to back-probe all my connections, throughout. I made charts. I made drawings. I eliminated some components (for testing) but in the end: the Flex radios want higher than you'd expect.

    Perhaps there is an internal adjustment in your PowerWerx supply? I had an internal potentiometer inside my Astron - after adjustment, everything's been fine.

    HTH! Good luck!

  • KG5PTE
    KG5PTE Member ✭✭
    edited June 2024

    Yes my power supply has a **** on the side to adjust voltage. I keep mine on 14.0 vdc. I do not use a rig runner. I plug from the radio to the power supply using the supplied Anderson power pole cable. Your right FR Stack reports the important internal deep within the radio. I also purchased a Power Werx inline watt meter to.

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    Have cleaned the power pole terminals?

    Often, corrosion shows up on the tab inside the power pole. You might want to pop out the cable on power pole and solder the wire to the tab.

  • KG5PTE
    KG5PTE Member ✭✭

    Problem has been solved thank you.

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