I have a ~30-year old Astron 13.8 VDC 20-amp supply that I got when it was retired from a project at work. I used it for low current applications for a few years, then it went to storage for about 5 years.
One of the two power transistors failed a few months ago and this took out some other components. I had put it back into service in a 5-10 amp application. I figure that the failure was likely just due to age and the fact that the supply had been in storage for a few years. I replaced both of the power transistors, two blown diodes, the electrolytics, and a couple of ICs and other components, and the supply is running fine again. Solid output at 10 amps load. Given its age I am extremely happy with it. The internal quality and components seemed good, but that may have been due to its design/manufacturing era. Not to sound like some old codger, but perhaps designs aren’t as robust as they used to be. Kevin, VE7ZD Sent from my iPad > On Feb 25, 2019, at 17:29, <[email protected]> <[email protected]> wrote: > > Who makes a better linear power supply, especially large ones? > > John KK9A > > Fred Jensen k6dgw wrote: > > I've given up on Astron despite the fact that many people say they never > have troubles. Apparently, Astron does not have a supplier for inside > star washers for screw/bolt connectors, I've found almost crumbly, > crystallized cold solder joints on the point-to-point wiring terminals > [in one case, it wasn't soldered at all], and often the case is not > bonded well [or at all] due to paint and/or no star washers. These are > all basic steps in quality electronic construction, there's just no > excuse for it. > > 73, > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
