Just built it. Proud moment. First bit of tech I’ve ever built. Poppet a few fuses but something like broken eggs and omelet comes to mind. Cheers Fred my man.😉
Most impressed. That power supply is the same unit that we find in wall mounted CCTV PSU's, maybe worth grabbing one of those usually with a built in fan too.. Your version is more portable however..
They are designed for 24/7 use, so nice tough bit of kit, I still have them in places from over 10 years ago and never missed a heartbeat. Keep doing the videos Fred, love 'em... 🤘
Covid permitting, we're down in Denham / Hatfield at the end of August / Early Sept in the caravan, look forward to giving you a shout from the mobile ;-)
good idea for the winter etc. I think I have found my noise problem with the antron 99, the original top is 16 awg wire whereas the upgrade is thinner 19 awg wire and a foot shorter plus the 16 awg is 21.5 amp and the upgrade 19 awg is 11 amp so I think this is why some upgrades have burnt holes in the top. this like having rg213 thick coax joined to rg58 coax. when I get my new poles up I am going to put the original top back on. 73's Alan from Kent.
Great project Fred,just some technical advise on SMP to help improve performance and prevent some issues ive experianced in recent Industry electronics projects. Can be applied to two way radios. First Issue Add a 2 stage AC line filter,it stops a host of problems with SMP's While can be expensive if shield types used,they do prevent any hash going down AC or coming back up AC line including RFI Some can bought with the filters built into a IEC socket,so easy to mount in your box The ones I use are RS Stock No.702-4031and good for 35 Amps SMP Second Issue Check for AC leakage (AC volts on DC outputs ref to earth -frame ground)-Some SMPs Ive found do not seem to have had the filter caps fitted on the DC outputs to earth-frame ground?(cheapness) If you measure AC on DVM from chassis to + or - DC terminal and earth of psu You see any AC above 1V or more! some times as high as 120V AC (its very low current so wont hurt you! but can cause equipment funnys), To resolve issue you will need need to fit these caps Wurth Part 890334027006CS RS Part 871-2629 680nF 310 ACVolts rated 1KV DC Volts rated. Kemet also do similar ones too. Fit one on DC positive terminal to frame ground-Earth Fit the other one from negative DC terminal to frame ground-Earth Remeasure AV Volts as before,you should now see the AC voltage has gone or very little 0.3V AC! Not all SMP power supplies do this,just do the check to confirm,ive modified quite a few smp this way to prevent this problem,even top engineers i know havnt seen this problem before! They have now Third Issue The DC negative terminal should not come in contact with Earth ground at ALL! ,Ive found most of these new SMP use DC isolation,the minute the DC negative terminal is grounded via cables,or antenna mounts ,they become very noisy DC wise,and more prone to RFI and other issues! Ive done some extensive R&D into this problem and 100% validated The way this can happen The SO-239 on modern CB,VHF,HFradios,are now bonded via the PCB to DC negative,so have common chassis on most modern kit The coax connected to PL259 screws into radio,the braid is now at DC ground potential. Steel mast in ground (if fibre mast not an issue and ignore) earth soil. The antenna mount in metal When you screw in cable the antenna SO-239 is now at DC ground potential via coax lead Then.. when antenna mounted on metal mast pole,you have now effectively created a short from DC negative to earth! This is where problem lies with isolated SMP's PSU They dont like that Fred! Exceptions Old school cb radios have floating SO-239 chassis-decoupled via capacitors to PCB board,so this cannot happen examples are Galaxy,Rangers,SuperStars,Cybernet,can check with dvm on ohm and see its isolated from DC negative lead and radio chassis. Fibre antenna mast -isolates potentials (easy option) Isolation of antenna mount to mast using PTFE or Nylon insulator can be easily done The other way is using a fully isolated balun 1:1 (not auto transformer types often seen and used,as primary and secondary winding are physically joined together!) so primary and secondary are totally isolated to avoid grounding the negative end Ive encountered this problem in industry electronics and has cause a host of headache's and a many sleepless nights and a "100 yard stare"! resolving these problem's and trying to find correct information was a nightmare ,we had people with PHD's could figure this problem out,at first they thought id gone nuts! once we got down to bottom of why's and actual replicated problems in a controlled way and validated what we had discovered,we avoid this and ensured we check all wiring looms and potential grounding out when using the new types of DC isolated SMP power supplies. Plus the AC leakage Voltage threw another variable into the works,as some SMP's would do it ,some would depending on the branding, so thats why like to make other's aware and avoid the pitfalls Fred and maybe slight bemused . Our software engineer was pulling his hair out thinking CPU board crashing with duff software,until we discovered AC Volts floating on DC,the CPU card were going nuts under certain condition variables and crashing and blaming his software buggy! turns out software fine was CPU boards earth out (yes the shorting thing) and DC noises\AC voltage! We were blaming PSU's,software,all sorts at first. As long as follow these 3 simple rules,Ive successfully used cheap SMP no problems with CB radios,HF radios and no RFI,problems,no take off,no weird things with RF anymore, what so ever now,im a bit wiser. I even retro fit the AC leakage caps on both Linear DC isolated PSU and SMP and had great results. Lucky for me the bulb moment happened as Im a radio nut ,i applied what i discovered from industry electronics and thought i wonder if same problem with antenna mast earthing if steel or metal types.I was correct! Im starting to wonder if this maybe part of the bad press SMP have had,not understanding the do & donts, because no proper information out there or out of date!???? I cans even established electronic engineers I know hadnt seen this before,even myself till i starting digging into the problems and resolving. Lack of validated information on internet can be you worst enemy sometimes Fred,trust me I m an "engineer"lol This problem is quite a recent thing-well to me it is,and researching is very difficult to find correct information on subject as there a lot of misinformed,rehearings,myths,out of date information out there on this subject,can lead you up wrong path. if you pop me a email ill send you a pdf free on diagram done Fred to study,easier visually! I used this to explain the problems in engineering meeting to convince others scratching there heads in disbelief!lol rpcomms@gmail.com Hopefully some of this good info will get out they and be validated by others and confirm what ive found,and if its helpful for your Project brill,hope this was not too technical baffling ,it takes a while for information to sink in as I found,as may already have preconceived idea's,like I did at the start. Great vid Fred enjoyed. 73's Rob UPDATE can try these IEC types,i havnt tried them but specs look good Incorporates a fuse,switch and filter and Rated 10Amps so should be ample! PDF docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/1442/0900766b8144230f.pdf Part link uk.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-filters/8700821/ RS Stock No. 870-0821
Ive just updated that document sheet for you fred in better fonts and tidy up,have a pdf waiting for you when you email me,maybe can post an update on video poss? All the best Fred,Rob
price has gone up a bit in 2019, but building the same supply, i did opt for a UK seller tho to 'expedite' the build process, maybe cheaper from China ? costs today, UK source 19.79 for the PSU and 1.99 for the LCD - still very much cheaper than a commercial PSU for my radio :)
Hi Fred firstly love both channels and you have inspired me to get back on the airwaves. Not been on since the early 80s as a teenager. Thinking of building my own 30amp power supply I was just wondering what wire you used on yours in the shed? Did you use 10awg or 8awg or something else? Keep up the videos 73s
Hi and welcome. I used a 30 amp cable which i believe is 10 awg. You could use 8 awg which is 40 amp but unless you planning on running very high power its a bit of an overkill. Enjoy.
What did you stick the supply down with I have just bought one with a fan built in I have been told that they are noisy so I was thinking about doing something similar
After watching this video, I have ordered the 20 amp version, my radio is the cre 8900 and as a 10 amp fuse on the power lead , so would I need to change the fuse up to a 20 amp or will it be fine as it is . Thanks in advance. 26CT3032
No dont up the fuse stick with the 10 amps. Having the extra 10 amps on the psu is a good thing. If you put it in a box like i did you really need to add some air holes. I forgot on this video.
You get what you pay for rubbish China switch mode supply it not just China never liked switching power supply solid-state power supply for me mine has been running all most everyday for 30 years.
Cheers for the build info fred saved me a few quid. Just coming back after 25+ years thanks to your videos.
Brilliant idea , could do with one of these as a back up 👍🏾
Hey Fred in the Shed. I really enjoyed watching this video. That PSU is a nice build and fairly cheap and simple! Keep up the good work 73!
Just built it. Proud moment. First bit of tech I’ve ever built. Poppet a few fuses but something like broken eggs and omelet comes to mind. Cheers Fred my man.😉
Good stuff Ian. Did you drill some vent holes as they are need and i did not.
Fred great little project, specially for the electronics novice like me
Sometimes when the house is busy the little shed is the only retreat to go. Cheers Lewis.
i have 2 of them psu's there great. never had a problem other than they can get very warm
Great idea Fred , I have my dehumidifier and fan heater on standby ! love the project 73's 👍👍
Thanks Mark.
Most impressed. That power supply is the same unit that we find in wall mounted CCTV PSU's, maybe worth grabbing one of those usually with a built in fan too.. Your version is more portable however..
I am still using mine without any issue and it stays all year out in the shed. I have the larger fan version but the fan runs very loud.
They are designed for 24/7 use, so nice tough bit of kit, I still have them in places from over 10 years ago and never missed a heartbeat.
Keep doing the videos Fred, love 'em...
🤘
@@davecurwen565 Thanks mate.
Covid permitting, we're down in Denham / Hatfield at the end of August / Early Sept in the caravan, look forward to giving you a shout from the mobile ;-)
@@davecurwen565 Keep an ear out for the boys on 27.305 USB 4pm onwards.
good idea for the winter etc.
I think I have found my noise problem with the antron 99, the original top is 16 awg wire whereas the upgrade is thinner 19 awg wire and a foot shorter plus the 16 awg is 21.5 amp and the upgrade 19 awg is 11 amp so I think this is why some upgrades have burnt holes in the top.
this like having rg213 thick coax joined to rg58 coax.
when I get my new poles up I am going to put the original top back on. 73's Alan from Kent.
Interesting findings with the fireup stick. Thanks.
Great project Fred,just some technical advise on SMP to help improve performance and prevent some issues ive experianced
in recent Industry electronics projects.
Can be applied to two way radios.
First Issue
Add a 2 stage AC line filter,it stops a host of problems with SMP's
While can be expensive if shield types used,they do prevent any hash going down AC or coming back up AC line including RFI
Some can bought with the filters built into a IEC socket,so easy to mount in your box
The ones I use are RS Stock No.702-4031and good for 35 Amps SMP
Second Issue
Check for AC leakage (AC volts on DC outputs ref to earth -frame ground)-Some SMPs Ive found do not seem to have had the filter caps fitted on the DC outputs to earth-frame ground?(cheapness)
If you measure AC on DVM from chassis to + or - DC terminal and earth of psu
You see any AC above 1V or more!
some times as high as 120V AC (its very low current so wont hurt you! but can cause equipment funnys),
To resolve issue you will need need to fit these caps
Wurth Part 890334027006CS
RS Part 871-2629
680nF 310 ACVolts rated 1KV DC Volts rated.
Kemet also do similar ones too.
Fit one on DC positive terminal to frame ground-Earth
Fit the other one from negative DC terminal to frame ground-Earth
Remeasure AV Volts as before,you should now see the AC voltage has gone or very little 0.3V AC!
Not all SMP power supplies do this,just do the check to confirm,ive modified quite a few smp this way to prevent this problem,even top engineers i know havnt seen this problem before! They have now
Third Issue
The DC negative terminal should not come in contact with Earth ground at ALL!
,Ive found most of these new SMP use DC isolation,the minute the DC negative terminal is grounded via cables,or antenna mounts ,they become very noisy DC wise,and more prone to RFI and other issues!
Ive done some extensive R&D into this problem and 100% validated
The way this can happen
The SO-239 on modern CB,VHF,HFradios,are now bonded via the PCB to DC negative,so have common chassis on most modern kit
The coax connected to PL259 screws into radio,the braid is now at DC ground potential.
Steel mast in ground (if fibre mast not an issue and ignore) earth soil.
The antenna mount in metal
When you screw in cable the antenna SO-239 is now at DC ground potential via coax lead
Then..
when antenna mounted on metal mast pole,you have now effectively created a short from DC negative to earth!
This is where problem lies with isolated SMP's PSU
They dont like that Fred!
Exceptions
Old school cb radios have floating SO-239 chassis-decoupled via capacitors to PCB board,so this cannot happen
examples are Galaxy,Rangers,SuperStars,Cybernet,can check with dvm on ohm and see its isolated from DC negative lead and radio chassis.
Fibre antenna mast -isolates potentials (easy option)
Isolation of antenna mount to mast using PTFE or Nylon insulator can be easily done
The other way is using a fully isolated balun 1:1 (not auto transformer types often seen and used,as primary and secondary winding are physically joined together!) so primary and secondary are totally isolated to avoid grounding the negative end
Ive encountered this problem in industry electronics and has cause a host of headache's and a many sleepless nights and a "100 yard stare"!
resolving these problem's and trying to find correct information was a nightmare
,we had people with PHD's could figure this problem out,at first they thought id gone nuts!
once we got down to bottom of why's and actual replicated problems in a controlled way and validated what we had discovered,we avoid this and ensured we check all wiring looms and potential grounding out when using the new types of DC isolated SMP power supplies.
Plus the AC leakage Voltage threw another variable into the works,as some SMP's would do it ,some would depending on the branding,
so thats why like to make other's aware and avoid the pitfalls Fred and maybe slight bemused .
Our software engineer was pulling his hair out thinking CPU board crashing with duff software,until we discovered AC Volts floating on DC,the CPU card were going nuts under certain condition variables and crashing and blaming his software buggy!
turns out software fine was CPU boards earth out (yes the shorting thing) and DC noises\AC voltage!
We were blaming PSU's,software,all sorts at first.
As long as follow these 3 simple rules,Ive successfully used cheap SMP no problems with CB radios,HF radios and no RFI,problems,no take off,no weird things with RF anymore, what so ever now,im a bit wiser.
I even retro fit the AC leakage caps on both Linear DC isolated PSU and SMP and had great results.
Lucky for me the bulb moment happened as Im a radio nut ,i applied what i discovered from industry electronics and thought i wonder if same problem with antenna mast earthing if steel or metal types.I was correct!
Im starting to wonder if this maybe part of the bad press SMP have had,not understanding the do & donts, because no proper information out there or out of date!????
I cans even established electronic engineers I know hadnt seen this before,even myself till i starting digging into the problems and resolving.
Lack of validated information on internet can be you worst enemy sometimes Fred,trust me I m an "engineer"lol
This problem is quite a recent thing-well to me it is,and researching is very difficult to find correct information on subject as there a lot of misinformed,rehearings,myths,out of date information out there on this subject,can lead you up wrong path.
if you pop me a email ill send you a pdf free on diagram done Fred to study,easier visually!
I used this to explain the problems in engineering meeting to convince others scratching there heads in disbelief!lol
rpcomms@gmail.com
Hopefully some of this good info will get out they and be validated by others and confirm what ive found,and if its helpful for your Project brill,hope this was not too technical baffling ,it takes a while for information to sink in as I found,as may already have preconceived idea's,like I did at the start.
Great vid Fred enjoyed.
73's
Rob
UPDATE can try these IEC types,i havnt tried them but specs look good
Incorporates a fuse,switch and filter and Rated 10Amps
so should be ample!
PDF docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/1442/0900766b8144230f.pdf
Part link uk.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-filters/8700821/
RS Stock No. 870-0821
Wow a lot of info there Rob. Thanks for sharing.
No probs,most wont and want to charge for info enjoy and glad to help out.pop me email ill send you that diagram may make more sense lol 73's Rob
Ive just updated that document sheet for you fred in better fonts and tidy up,have a pdf waiting for you when you email me,maybe can post an update on video poss? All the best Fred,Rob
Great idea Fred, you’ve given me a little project soon, inspiration,, cheers buddy Shane
Cheers mate. You need to add air vent holes to the box though. I forgot
A good idea mate. Now you will have your ears on year round. Don't forget earmuffs though for when she gets a bit nippy out.
FIRST. Yes it does get chilly outside but you can still get hooked on the radio.
Thanks Fred 👍
price has gone up a bit in 2019, but building the same supply, i did opt for a UK seller tho to 'expedite' the build process, maybe cheaper from China ? costs today, UK source 19.79 for the PSU and 1.99 for the LCD - still very much cheaper than a commercial PSU for my radio :)
Good stuff. Make sure you include air holes in the box. Not shown on this video.
a great idea fred
Thanks.
Would a 240 watts 20 amps 12 volt power supply like the one you showed in the video work for the superstar 3900 2023
Yes more than enough.
Hi Fred, is there a simple answer why the CB is being run on 13.8 volts and not 12 volts? thanks
Hi Steven. Yes its the ave voltage that a car alternator produces along with the battery when the engine is running.
Now I'm hot to get one of these power supplies. But I only saw a few directly sended from china. That takes too long...
Hi Fred firstly love both channels and you have inspired me to get back on the airwaves. Not been on since the early 80s as a teenager. Thinking of building my own 30amp power supply I was just wondering what wire you used on yours in the shed? Did you use 10awg or 8awg or something else? Keep up the videos 73s
Hi and welcome. I used a 30 amp cable which i believe is 10 awg. You could use 8 awg which is 40 amp but unless you planning on running very high power its a bit of an overkill. Enjoy.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Thanks Fred don't think I will be running that much power looking at buying a crtss 6900 or 9900 to start
Malcolm HI THANKS got into ebay stright away THANKS agin brought 60 am one gone up to a a tenner.
Just rem to adjust the voltage to 13.8v. Best of luck.
Love it.:)
What did you stick the supply down with I have just bought one with a fan built in I have been told that they are noisy so I was thinking about doing something similar
Just to secure it in the box. Yes the fans in these supplies are noisy when they spool up under load.
@CB-RADIO-UK can you post a list of the things that you have used please minus the power supply
How's it going Fred is the power pack still alive asking as I'm about to do the same as you
Hi yes still going strong and used almost daily
Ok thanks
After watching this video, I have ordered the 20 amp version, my radio is the cre 8900 and as a 10 amp fuse on the power lead , so would I need to change the fuse up to a 20 amp or will it be fine as it is . Thanks in advance. 26CT3032
No dont up the fuse stick with the 10 amps. Having the extra 10 amps on the psu is a good thing. If you put it in a box like i did you really need to add some air holes. I forgot on this video.
Where would I get the DC outlets
Hi. Ebay or Amazon.
@@CB-RADIO-UK I found some , couldn't think what there correct name was lol
Malcolm 26dr547 Hello Fred sorry but can you tell me what ITM AC DC is been all over cant find any were. Enjoying your videos .
Sorry Malcolm not following.
👍.
Will this work for every cb
It will work for all 4 watt CB's. Ive run a CRT6900n on it all summer without any issues. See my latest videos for amp requirements.
You get what you pay for rubbish China switch mode supply it not just China never liked switching power supply solid-state power supply for me mine has been running all most everyday for 30 years.