Copper Talk » Product Reviews » Amplifiers » GALAXY 350 Draws ALOT of AMPS « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 1:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm new to this forum. Wish I had seen it sooner. I have a GALAXY 350, 4 stage amp. I have hooked it up to two different radio's and two different power supplies, but it takes sooo much amperage, I am unable to use it past 2 stages (about 125 Watts).

Using an ICOM706IIG, turned down to 5 watts, I kept blowing the internal fuse on the amp. I couldn't get the ICOM down any lower.

Using a President HR2510 (Lincoln) it drives the amp fine, but the amp takes so much current at stage 3 and 4, I could never put it in my pick-up truck.

Anybody have any suggestions?

CA346
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Adshar64
Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 6:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What are you using to power it now? and what amps are you talking? You can expect approx 10 amps per 100w.

cheers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Taz
Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 8:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You need a bigger altenator.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 2:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Draws 10 amps for stage 1 at 75 Watts
Draws 18 amps for stage 2 at 125Watts
Draws 28 amps for stage 3 at 160Watts
Draws 38-40 amps for stage 4 at 225Watts

I have two Power supplies. The MFJ-4035 (35AMP) powers the radio's, and a Pyramid 46 (40AMP) powers the Galaxy 350 all alone. I have not put it into my pick-up yet because it draws so much current.

And, I agree TAZ I will need a BIGGER alternator. Probably battery too. I was going to put it into a TOYOTA TACOMA 4cyl.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Taz
Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 6:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That amp is pulling way way way to much current.

Thats weird.


Yes, a bigger alternator is required over the stock Toyota tacoma 4 banger, plus a bigger battery too.


Taz
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Adshar64
Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 2:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yep something def wrong get all your caps and finals checked.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kc0gxz
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 6:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346

Stage 1 is pretty close to average. However, I wouldn't rely to much on what the amperage meters on the power supplys are telling you.

I have a pair of stacked Pyramid 52s that I use in my shop for amplifier test/repair. Brand new out of the box, one of them gave me low amperage readings. The other appeared to be pretty close to a true reading. I also use a Pyramid 46 for radio test/repair. That one showed me high amperage readings out of the box.

The way that power supplies are hammered out these days, I don't think much time is spent on the calibration of the cheap meters that the companys put on them. NONE of the 3 that I am using had correct voltage readings either.

Inside of the supplies are "marked" variable resisters for calibration of the Voltage and Amperage meters. You can recalibrate the Volt meter against a known true digital voltage meter such as a Fluke. The Amperage meter can be checked/calibrated with a known amperage load put to the supply.

But then, it is very possible that you just might have a troublesome amplifier on your hands. I would check the supply meters for calibration anyways. Rarely will you find any that are correct no matter the brand of power supply.

The above is just a suggestion.

Good luck and 73s

Jeff, kc0gxz.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech671
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 5:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The 350 should have no more than 90w AM carrier on stage 4. If set like this amp draw would be in the 30-35 range. With 20w ssb drive the amp draw may be 40a on stage 4 for ssb use, this is normal. A 40a continuous supply should run it fine, and in the mobile powered from the batt both + and - with 8ga wire should run fine.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 4:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you to All: It's been an interesting list of responses to my question. I will check them ALL out eventually.

This is such a great forum. I need to get my computer at the radio base station hooked up to the Internet so I don't have to run back and forth!!

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: