USB power backup solution?

[jcardani]

Hi all,

I am currently using a PSR-800 for my feed. If the power goes out and comes back on, the scanner goes into standby mode instead of resuming scan like other radios. So I am looking for a UPS backup solution to provide long term uninterruptible power because I go on vacation for an extended time during the summer. I find that UPS systems give short term 15-30 min or so. Is there anything that can output DV (either 12V or 5V) for a longer time (6 - 12 hrs. or more)? I would hate to have the scanner go into standby mode and not be able to turn it back on for several weeks!

thanks!

 

[brennank]

I would consider a deep cycle marine battery that is kept on a trickle charger. That is really the only thing thing I can thing of that might give you a decent run time. And computer UPS will use more power itself then the radio.

Look into a deep cycle battery. It would be a pretty easy and fool proof setup.

 

[jaded]

Belkin makes a 12v output UPS, e.g. models BU3DC000-12V and BU3DC001-12V. See: Belkin USA Site. AT&T uses these for U-verse subscribers (data/voice/tv via DSL). Many use a 12v 7ah battery, so I'd imagine it'd run the scanner for quite a while. There are plenty available via eBay, but since I'm in an AT&T area, there are always some popping up in the local used electronics and Goodwill stores.

 

[jcardani]

Hi Jaded,

This looks exactly what I need. Do you happen to know what size 12V output jack is on the back of the unit?

thanks!

 

[jaded]

I don't know exactly, but I'm pretty sure they use this with a 2wire 3600HGV "residential gateway". If you can find a listing of a power adapter for that, you'd probably be able to figure out what the jack is on the Belkin device.

 

[jcardani]

Hi,

Looks like a standard power jack on the gateway. I should be able to use a Radio Shack adaptaplug

thanks again!

 

[dkf435]

For the Ham station and also have the samo on my listening station I have some 120AH cell site batteries that are connected to a West Mountain Radio Super Powergate for charging and automatic switching with an Astron RS70M for power. A Rig Runner RR4008 is used for power distribution to the equipment.

There are Rigrunner power strips with built in USB converters made now or Powerwerx has the USBbuddy also for 12v powerpole to 5v USB power conversion now. A 7Ah battery will no where get you the desired run time , look for a 75-100Ah AGM or Sealed lead acid battery.

Also be careful using some UPS devices for your 12v power as one side of the battery could be at 120v potential above ground, there are a few UPS units now that have lugs or powerpole connectors for external batteries that should be ok.

David Kb7uns.

 

[jcardani]

Thanks David!

Joe

 

[fineshot1]

Hi all,

I am currently using a PSR-800 for my feed. If the power goes out and comes back on, the scanner goes into standby mode instead of resuming scan like other radios. So I am looking for a UPS backup solution to provide long term uninterruptible power because I go on vacation for an extended time during the summer. I find that UPS systems give short term 15-30 min or so. Is there anything that can output DV (either 12V or 5V) for a longer time (6 - 12 hrs. or more)? I would hate to have the scanner go into standby mode and not be able to turn it back on for several weeks! thanks!

Forget UPS - Go with 2 AGM batteries in parallel and a charger/supply with a
distribution panel with power pole so you can standardize everything to that.
When the power goes out there is no switch from wall power to batteries all
your gear should already be running on battery so no interruption. Make your
own power pole connections - its easy. I use an IOTA DLS 55 with two AGM
batteries in parallel and my repeater stayed online for two weeks while the
area power infrastructure was being rebuilt/repaired. You would probably only
need the DLS 30 or 45 with the IQ4 smart charging option.

IOTA Engineering DLS Series AC/DC Power Converters and Battery Chargers for 12VDC Systems

Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery : Amazon.com : Automotive

West Mountain Radio - RIGrunner Models

 

[jaded]

You're all talking about excellent hardware, but we're talking about a scanner that draws... what... 300ma, maybe? I don't have specs on internal power draw on these Belkin units, but remember that there's no inverter in these, so you're not going to have the inefficiency of a 120V output UPS. I'm guessing you'd get at least 10 hours run time off of something like this, for about $40 max ($20 for UPS, $20 for new battery). If the power is out longer than this, what's the likelihood of the broadband connection, to stream the scanner, staying up?

 

[dkf435]

While I have a over designed system. my 20KW Generac standby generator still has averaged over 45 hours of use per year the last 2 out of 3 years. The bad part is the rest of the world around here the cable modems and backhaul have 4 hours of battery, the DSL is about 12 hours battery and the cell sites are between 24- 48 hours until they run out of fuel. I have enough fuel for around 7-10 days straight use or couple weeks shutting down when power is not needed and floating off the batteries. Choose what you want but 7AH is not enough..

David Kb7uns

 

[Thayne]

You're all talking about excellent hardware, but we're talking about a scanner that draws... what... 300ma, maybe? I don't have specs on internal power draw on these Belkin units, but remember that there's no inverter in these, so you're not going to have the inefficiency of a 120V output UPS. I'm guessing you'd get at least 10 hours run time off of something like this, for about $40 max ($20 for UPS, $20 for new battery). If the power is out longer than this, what's the likelihood of the broadband connection, to stream the scanner, staying up?

All good and true what you said above---

 

[E-Man]

RIGrunner 4004 USB

West Mountain Radio - RIGrunner 4004 USB

 

[fineshot1]

You're all talking about excellent hardware, but we're talking about a scanner that draws... what... 300ma, maybe? I don't have specs on internal power draw on these Belkin units, but remember that there's no inverter in these, so you're not going to have the inefficiency of a 120V output UPS. I'm guessing you'd get at least 10 hours run time off of something like this, for about $40 max ($20 for UPS, $20 for new battery). If the power is out longer than this, what's the likelihood of the broadband connection, to stream the scanner, staying up?

You seem to have missed Joe's point of this thread - he is looking for a solution for being away
for an extended period and keep his equipment up and running without interruption. He ends up
with the possibility of a solution for approx 3 weeks of him being away.

 

[jcardani]

Thanks everyone for your ideas!

 

[K4IHS]

When I streamed in Florida I had a great backup power supply to keep my stream running during a hurricane. The problem I had was as soon as the power went out... the Comcast Internet would go off-line. They had all these little amplifiers on the poles and in the ground. No power... no Internet. All my work into a backup power supply for my scanner, modem, computer and router where useless. At least I could listen to my scanners for days.