Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?

I've looked at the schematic of the AC-4 and decided that it's not rocket
science. I'm not putting together an "original" collection of Drake
equipment and I don't need the power supply to fit within a MS-4 speaker
(which I don't have and don't need). So - I think I have some economically
appealing options.

- I could repair a broken AC-4, AC-3 as long as the transformer is OK.

- Home brew power supplies do not scare me.

- It's possible power supplies for other rigs could be adapted to work with
Drake gear.

- I could build my own homebrew power supply. The critical component would
be the power transformer / transformers. (There are many power supply
designs that would work).

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak), (250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 21:31:24 UTC, "KA9S-3_Jeff"
wrote:

Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
....

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak), (250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S

You could probably use a Heathkit HP-23 or one of the A/B/C
varients. The Heath's voltages are higher than what you spec.

HP-23's are about $50. There's almost always one or two on eBay.
I saw one go for $30 at a hamfest this spring.

de ah6gi/4

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak),
(250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please let
me know (with details).
===========================
An 'all in one' transformer might be difficult to find ; however since it is
assumed the unit is in a separate enclosure ,you can implement the power
supply unit with up to 4 separate transformers which no doubt can be found
at various ham fleamarkets .
The biasvoltage can probably be obtained through a separate diode and zener
voltage
circuit ,using the transformer supplying 250V @175 mA ,which would enable
you to implement with a maximum of 3 transformers.
Good luck with your quest.

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH

"KA9S-3_Jeff" wrote in message
...
Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?

I always see AC-3 and AC-4 units on eBay weekly.. broken and otherwise.

Here are the repair web pages for the broken power units:

Troubleshooting
http://www.wb4hfn.com/DrakeArticles/...leshooting.htm

Capacitor Rebuild
http://www.wb4hfn.com/DrakeArticles/...Rebuilding.htm

w9gb

In addition to the voltage being MUCH higher than the Drake likes, the Heathkit
HP23-series supplies couldn't begin to provide enough plate current for a
TR-4C! Peak current consumption of, say, an HW-101 or SB-102 is 250 mA. The
Drake draws twice that!

73,
Dean K5DH


In article ifgU75G3LLdo-pn2-mOQKKFJbOk7l@localhost,
says...

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 21:31:24 UTC, "KA9S-3_Jeff"
wrote:

Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesti
ng
power transformer.
--------
...

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak)
, (250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please
let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S

You could probably use a Heathkit HP-23 or one of the A/B/C
varients. The Heath's voltages are higher than what you spec.

HP-23's are about $50. There's almost always one or two on eBay.
I saw one go for $30 at a hamfest this spring.

de ah6gi/4

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 15:31:24 -0600, "KA9S-3_Jeff"
wrote:

Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?

I've looked at the schematic of the AC-4 and decided that it's not rocket
science. I'm not putting together an "original" collection of Drake
equipment and I don't need the power supply to fit within a MS-4 speaker
(which I don't have and don't need). So - I think I have some economically
appealing options.

- I could repair a broken AC-4, AC-3 as long as the transformer is OK.

- Home brew power supplies do not scare me.

- It's possible power supplies for other rigs could be adapted to work with
Drake gear.

- I could build my own homebrew power supply. The critical component would
be the power transformer / transformers. (There are many power supply
designs that would work).

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak), (250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S


Go to:

http://electronics.listings.ebay.com...custoverrideZ1

and do a search for Drake AC-4 Power Supply

There are 4 up for auction, all for less than $50 as of Thursday.

Bob
k5qwg

I would really have to question that a Power Supply for your Drake could
be made cheaper than buying one unless you find enough fools to give you
all the parts and they pay the postage to ship them to you. You should
be able to find a good used AC4 or $75 and an AC3 for even less. A
Heathkit should work with minimum modification put they seem to go for
about the same amount. Try a Swan or a Galaxy but I expect they will be
just a little cheaper but not much. I believe the rule is about a $1 a
pound. Just don't look at the Collins stuff.

I might be able to find you a Transformer but it will cost you $25 plus
$15 for postage.







Bob Miller wrote:
On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 15:31:24 -0600, "KA9S-3_Jeff"
wrote:


Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?

I've looked at the schematic of the AC-4 and decided that it's not rocket
science. I'm not putting together an "original" collection of Drake
equipment and I don't need the power supply to fit within a MS-4 speaker
(which I don't have and don't need). So - I think I have some economically
appealing options.

- I could repair a broken AC-4, AC-3 as long as the transformer is OK.

- Home brew power supplies do not scare me.

- It's possible power supplies for other rigs could be adapted to work with
Drake gear.

- I could build my own homebrew power supply. The critical component would
be the power transformer / transformers. (There are many power supply
designs that would work).

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak), (250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S



Go to:

http://electronics.listings.ebay.com...custoverrideZ1

and do a search for Drake AC-4 Power Supply

There are 4 up for auction, all for less than $50 as of Thursday.

Bob
k5qwg

Hi Jeff,
Wow, what a mess of replies you got, but nobody offering to sell you
one.
I have 2 possibilities:
1 - what appears to be a hombrew "repackage" of an AC-3 on a small
chassis. It looks like the components are from an AC-3. I powered it up
some time ago to ck voltages, seemed OK, but I didn't put it to any rig.
It needs am AC cord, and has a female jack for outputs.
2 - a stout HB supply in a covered chassis like they used to put audio
amps in. I used this for a while with a T-4X. It has a terminal strip on
the back, and a cable with the proper Drake plug.
I can take digipix of both.
$25 for #1
$50 for #2
plus postage

73,
Al, W8UT
New Bern, NC
BoatAnchors appreciated here
http://www.thecompendium.net/radio/
http://www.hammarlund.info

----- Original Message -----
From: "KA9S-3_Jeff"
Newsgroups:
rec.radio.amateur.boatanchors,rec.radio.amateur.eq uipment,rec.radio.amateu
r.homebrew
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 4:31 PM
Subject: Wanted: Power Supply for TR-4C


Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power
supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high
AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?

I've looked at the schematic of the AC-4 and decided that it's not
rocket
science. I'm not putting together an "original" collection of Drake
equipment and I don't need the power supply to fit within a MS-4 speaker
(which I don't have and don't need). So - I think I have some
economically
appealing options.

- I could repair a broken AC-4, AC-3 as long as the transformer is OK.

- Home brew power supplies do not scare me.

- It's possible power supplies for other rigs could be adapted to work
with
Drake gear.

- I could build my own homebrew power supply. The critical component
would
be the power transformer / transformers. (There are many power supply
designs that would work).

Here is what the power supply needs to do:

Input: 117 vac
Outputs: (12.6 vac @ 5.5A), (650 vdc @ 300mA average - 500 mA peak),
(250
vdc @ 175 mA), (-45 to -65 vdc for bias)

If any of you have something to sell me that will get me there, please
let
me know (with details).


Thanks Jeff - KA9S



"KA9S-3_Jeff" wrote in message
...
Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------

"KA9S-3_Jeff" wrote in message
...
Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
I want to power up a Drake TR-4C I picked up. It did not have a power
supply. The price an AC-4 power supply brings today is more that the
transceiver is worth. Are there more radios out there than power supplies?
(Kind of like there are more horses asses than horses). Are the high AC-4
prices a function of scarcity or what?


Jeff -

You can also purchase a replacement AC-4 PC board from Sunlight Systems,
Mike WB8VGE (The Heathkit Shop) ... very easy to upgrade an broken AC-3 or
AC-4 supply with this board.
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/

eBay Item number: 5737900137

w9gb

"KA9S-3_Jeff" wrote in message
...
Wanted - Cheap - for Drake TR-4C: broken AC-4 or AC-3, or home brewed
power
supply, or modifiable power supply by other manufacturer, or interesting
power transformer.
--------
Here is what the AC-4R PC board looks like built up
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/drakeac4rreplace.html

gb