Tripp Lite PR-20

[DiGiTaLD]

I've got a Tripp Lite PR-20 power supply that I bought new in 1998. Over the years it has spent a lot of time on, but has never been abused. I've had to tighten up the binding posts a few times (they were getting loose at the connection to the board), but that's the most trouble I've had with it.

The other day it was running as usual. I only had the scanner on; the VHF and HF radios were off. I was going to leave the house for a while so I shut the scanner off then shut the power supply off. When I came back later and turned it back on, nothing would power up. The power supply sounded as if it kicked on, but when metered I found that it was only putting out about two volts. I don't think I overheated it, because it was at normal operating temperature when shut down and was cold when I came back to power it back up. The fuse is good and binding posts are tight at the board. Still only about 2 VDC. Is there anything else I should check, or is it destined for the scrap heap?

[fineshot1]

Unfortunately even this product spec sheet does not reveal exactly what type of power supply circuit design this model is. If it is a ferro resinant design they are realtively easy to trouble shoot and fix. If
it is a switching supply it will be a pita to trouble shoot and fix and most probably not worth it. The
new average online price of this supply is approx $80 or $90 so unless your knowlegable regarding
power supply trouble shooting your probably better off throwing it in your junk box and buying a new
replacement.

FYI: Sometimes these supplies have an internal fuse(soldered on the pc board) that you may want
to check.