Good suggestion for a Rack Mount 12V power supply?

[blantonl]

I'm looking for some good ideas and suggestions regarding a rack mountable 12V power supply to power radio equipment? Preferably one that has 8 to 10 separate outputs.

Mostly what I see on the market are rack mountable 12V power supplies for CCTV type installations. Would these be appropriate for powering a number of scanners and radio receivers?

 

[zz0468]

Astron has rack mount versions of their power supplies. That and a rack mount fuse or breaker panel would do what you want. I use a an Astron RM-35M and a Hendry fuse panel.

 

[n9mxq]

I too vote for Astron. Add up the draw of all your devices and you'll get what size you need..

 

[KJ6HCB]

RigRunner with Anderson Powerpoles connected to an Astron power supply perhaps? I think RigRunner may even make one in a rackmount setup.

 

[kb5udf]

I'll second that

Myself and just about all ham friends, as well as a plethora of emergency management
outfits all use astron. Rugged, reliable, and fairly inexpensive considering what you get.

Generally, all of the large PS's I'm familiar with have only one or two outputs.

So get a large astron, and then some type of DC power outlet. MFJ makes some inexpensive ones
or if you want the neater look you can go with powerpole products. Powerwerx makes some
good stuff here.

JB

 

[mrkelso]

You may as well put this old Hams vote on the Astron.

 

[Thunderknight]

You can get Astrons with the battery backup option and they'll fail over to a 12vdc battery if the AC is lost.
They only have one set of threaded stud output terminals, so either use a seperate power distribution strip, or just fuse each scanner and ring terminal them to the studs on the Astron. I don't think I've ever had 10 on one stud, but at least a few ring terminals under a nut and washer.

 

[w2xq]

If today's Astron units are as good as my RS-20A and RS-50M purchased c.1980, go for them. Never failed, never reset, on 24/7, can't beat them IMHO.

 

[jiminpgh]

Another vote for Astron

Two thumbs up for Astron.
My favorite for decades.
I have four, never had any trouble.

Jim in Pittsburgh

 

[homeinva]

20 Amp Rack Mount Power Strips

looking around a few weeks ago and came across this sight

 

[motorola_otaku]

Astron's switching supplies are damn near bulletproof. I have one on the desk next to me that has been running at abut 80% of its rated continuous capacity 24/7 for the last 2 years with nary an issue. I have it backed up with a Tripp-Lite SmartPro SMART2200 UPS and during the last prolonged blackout it held the Astron up at that same 80% capacity for just a little shy of 90 minutes. Of course a 12V battery charge/cutover would be optimal but the UPS was just laying around not doing anything.

I'm not personally a big fan of RigRunners, Powerpoles, or any of the "preferred" ham-grade solutions for power distribution. All of my fixed installs run on Buss ATC fuse panels with ground blocks cascaded up to whatever number I need.

 

[N9JIG]

I used Astrons for years but they created a great deal of heat and I have had one or two develop a hum after a few years. I have had others that ran for 15 years or more with no problems.

I currently run a Samlex 35 amp switching supply. A fifth the size of the RS35 and little to no heat. Some people say they get interference from switching supplies but I have had no issues in the year or two I have used it.

I also use PowerPoles with a RigRunner fuse panel. This makes it easy to add or relocate radios and accessories and fuse different devices separately.

 

[blantonl]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I ended up sticking with my current 12V regulated power supply (very similar to the Astron RS-70A) and purchased a Rigrunner distribution panel. I also sprung for the powerpole kits and crimper, and after getting everything properly connected I've got to say I'm impressed.

I also managed to get rid of almost 10+ wall warts which is really nice

i'll get a pic of the setup posted soon.

 

[n8emr]

While not a top end as Astron, Jetstream has a 2U ps JTPS28R
Jetstream

 

[liftedtacoma4x]

Don't know if this is what your looking for or not
Power Supplies: Our popular small desktop switching power supply features 2 Powerpole outputs in front and 1/4" binding posts in the rear.