Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Mike,
As a side note, if you ever again come across a situation where the LM317 will not support the current draw that you need, you may look at its big brother, the LM383. It has the same form, fit, and function as the 317 but will support up to 5A continuous.
?
-Albert
KI4ORI
|
Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi all,
The 817/818 is a very reliable radio when it comes to external keying and one of you has confirmed the same behaviour when using a different radio. From the descriptions it sounds like RF getting into the wrong places in the amplifier. This could be RF radiated?inside the enclosure from the PA. Could be RF getting onto?the external PTT line, could be RF getting into the supply of logic and switching circuits.
Anaxi said he is waiting for a FW update - that's a strange troubleshooting approach but maybe it has something to do with the RF sensing circuit.?
I would terminate the amplifier into a dummy load, make up a very short PTT cable (ground centre pin for TX) then try to TX from your radio with the lowest power possible - CW or FM is most convenient for testing. The point of doing this is to exclude the PTT cable as a possible cause. I couldn't find a manual but it looks like the amp has some kind of auto band select. Can you manually select the correct?band rather than relying on the RF sense?
I would use a 'scope to look for RF in places it shouldn't be such as the logic and switching circuits of the amplifier. Be prepared to put some 10 nano or even 100 nano capacitors to ground in areas where you think there should not be RF. This is not a 3 minute task, and requires persistence.
Hi Steve,
The issue I'm having seems to be different, but close attention to your reply makes me wanting to expend some euros on a dummy load for further debug this.
Meanwhile, I also engaged with Neptune crew (Pawel) and I'm preparing to follow his suggestion on firmware upgrade.
73,
Anaxi, CS7BGW
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
Sure does help, Ken,
?
I'll get an order out to ?west mountain soon!
?
I picked up a second 817 for $100. It was beat up but I got it working. There is a problem with the power jack, it's busted, and it took nearly two months before Yaesu had the part back in stock.
?
mike, wb8vge
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
Thanks for the info, but I don't have nor do ?I have access to a 3d printer.
?
mike wb8vge
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Thanks, Steve for the info
?
I take it a 1.8K resistor across the 817's power jack will fool the internal micorprocessor into thinking nothing is plugged in?
?
The solution I was planning on using was old school drop dead simple—unplug the conditioner when not in use!
?
I plan on using the LV1085C low drop out regulator as it one of a few that will do 3A. I thought about using a garden variety LM317, but they kind of run out of steam at about 1.5A or there about.
?
Mike, WB8VGE
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Oh, having a senior moment.... Yes, FT817 sounds a lot better
?
mike wb8vge
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
Hi Mike,
I use a 3d printed adapter with Anderson Powerpoles available on eBay. Refer to attached photos.
Clyde KC7BJE?
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
I added a toggle switch to my power conditioner. Never a question about any drain issues. Easy.
Joe N1KHB?
On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 2:05 PM, Steve W2SGM <steve@...> wrote: Mike, that power conditioner looks great. Without knowing how you have designed the circuits in the device, I am wondering if you have also (intentionally or otherwise) solved the excessive power-off battery drain that happens in the FT-817/818 when there is something plugged into the barrel connector. I felt I should share the attached schematic that details one potential fix.
The often-seen phenomenon of the overnight dead-battery is caused by a CPU-controlled sense on the DC jack that changes the radio's behavior. Anything connected to the jack, even an unpowered lead, will cause excessive power draw when the radio is off. The current drain is from the CPU; it's not a passive current draw.
You can tell a fix is needed with your powerpole adapter if the backlight (when set to Auto in settings) stays on all the time when there is a connector in the jack. This means the power-off draw is ~4 mA instead of the usual .5-1 mA. If your powerpole adapter is connected and the auto-backlight times out as it should, no further fix is needed.
On 25 Jul 2024, at 8:42, Mike Bryce wrote:
Hey, gang...
?
Things have been slow in the shack, so I've raised from the dead a project I started back in 2018. This is a power conditioner for the 718/818.
?
Unlike Phil's design, I can't remember his call, this is an external box.
?
The photos show a early proof build unit.?
?
There are Anderson power poles for input supply.
A field replaceable fuse
Reverse polarity protection
All kinds of noise and spike suppression
Can do 3A output all day long without adding heat to the 718's chassis
the whole shebang mounts into a cast aluminum Hammond box.
?
A new design is being worked on, and if there is enough interest, I might move forward with this project.
Might have a need for a few beta testers soon.
?
I'm Mike, WB8VGE
?
?
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Mike, that power conditioner looks great. Without knowing how you have designed the circuits in the device, I am wondering if you have also (intentionally or otherwise) solved the excessive power-off battery drain that happens in the FT-817/818 when there is something plugged into the barrel connector. I felt I should share the attached schematic that details one potential fix.
The often-seen phenomenon of the overnight dead-battery is caused by a CPU-controlled sense on the DC jack that changes the radio's behavior. Anything connected to the jack, even an unpowered lead, will cause excessive power draw when the radio is off. The current drain is from the CPU; it's not a passive current draw.
You can tell a fix is needed with your powerpole adapter if the backlight (when set to Auto in settings) stays on all the time when there is a connector in the jack. This means the power-off draw is ~4 mA instead of the usual .5-1 mA. If your powerpole adapter is connected and the auto-backlight times out as it should, no further fix is needed.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 25 Jul 2024, at 8:42, Mike Bryce wrote:
Hey, gang...
?
Things have been slow in the shack, so I've raised from the dead a project I started back in 2018. This is a power conditioner for the 718/818.
?
Unlike Phil's design, I can't remember his call, this is an external box.
?
The photos show a early proof build unit.?
?
There are Anderson power poles for input supply.
A field replaceable fuse
Reverse polarity protection
All kinds of noise and spike suppression
Can do 3A output all day long without adding heat to the 718's chassis
the whole shebang mounts into a cast aluminum Hammond box.
?
A new design is being worked on, and if there is enough interest, I might move forward with this project.
Might have a need for a few beta testers soon.
?
I'm Mike, WB8VGE
?
?
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
3d print version... you still need anderson power pole and plug do the short one so you can see the ends of the anderson power poles
Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
?
The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
?
Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
There is a problem with these connectors. I was using one and the connector got yanked while it was plugged in. It pulled the DC jack loose from the pc board. I had an awful time repairing it. Now the jack connection is very flimsy and I have to treat it with care. I find that the one I pictured, with the screw connecting it to the radio, is a very solid and stable connection. It's not going to pull out or damage the jack on the radio.
Zack W9SZ
The proper Yaesu part, EDC-6, is $9
?
Power pole to 1.7mm is $10
??
If you want just the connector, it's a 1.7mm coaxial connector, $1.39 at digikey
?
Hope that helps, Ken, N2VIP ? Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
?
The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
?
Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
The proper Yaesu part, EDC-6, is $9
?
Power pole to 1.7mm is $10
??
If you want just the connector, it's a 1.7mm coaxial connector, $1.39 at digikey
?
Hope that helps,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jul 25, 2024, at 10:25, Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> wrote:
? Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
?
The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
?
Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Mike,
Thanks, your explanation answers my questions.
Note: you seem to keep referring to the FT-817 as 718, which brings to mind a competitor's radio, the IC-718.
Thanks,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jul 25, 2024, at 11:08, Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> wrote:
? Hi, Ken,
?
There is/will be a pigtail that runs from the conditioner to the radio. It simply was installed when these photos were taken.
?
The active device is a low dropout adjustable regulator that will do 3A.?
?
I use my 718 with internal batteries all the time, however just not for very long. You can suck 'em dry in a few hours depending on your operating style and mode of operation. This allows for an external power source that you can adjust to 10 V or so, that way the 718 won't get upset with higher input voltages, the heat ends up in the rear heatsink. ?The 718 will be much happier with 10V input.
?
Or flip the switch and get full 13.8V ?to recharge the internal batteries or go full hog with 5 W of RF.
?
Of course there is built in over current protection as well as reverse polarity protection. The new version has over voltage protection, too
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
Do you mean the FT817? Not 718? Sometimes you just have to spend the money. I would stay away from the Windcamp adaptors. For one thing, I bought one and the plug into the radio didn't fit properly (too long). For another, I have an SMA connector on the rear of mine for an output to an SDR dongle for a spectrum monitor. The Windcamp one covered this up. I used something like this one:
See my photo attached.
Zack W9SZ
Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
?
The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
?
Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
?
The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
?
Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Hi, Ken,
?
There is/will be a pigtail that runs from the conditioner to the radio. It simply was installed when these photos were taken.
?
The active device is a low dropout adjustable regulator that will do 3A.?
?
I use my 718 with internal batteries all the time, however just not for very long. You can suck 'em dry in a few hours depending on your operating style and mode of operation. This allows for an external power source that you can adjust to 10 V or so, that way the 718 won't get upset with higher input voltages, the heat ends up in the rear heatsink. ?The 718 will be much happier with 10V input.
?
Or flip the switch and get full 13.8V ?to recharge the internal batteries or go full hog with 5 W of RF.
?
Of course there is built in over current protection as well as reverse polarity protection. The new version has over voltage protection, too
?
Mike WB8VGE
|
Re: Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Mike,
Looks nice, but I've got a couple questions:
I only see one external connection, how is this unit connected to the radio? A jumper that passes thru the lid?
I suspect most FT-817/818 users power their radios from batteries, what is the use case for a power conditioner like this?
Thanks,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jul 25, 2024, at 10:42, Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> wrote:
? Hey, gang...
?
Things have been slow in the shack, so I've raised from the dead a project I started back in 2018. This is a power conditioner for the 718/818.
?
Unlike Phil's design, I can't remember his call, this is an external box.
?
The photos show a early proof build unit.?
?
There are Anderson power poles for input supply.
A field replaceable fuse
Reverse polarity protection
All kinds of noise and spike suppression
Can do 3A output all day long without adding heat to the 718's chassis
the whole shebang mounts into a cast aluminum Hammond box.
?
A new design is being worked on, and if there is enough interest, I might move forward with this project.
Might have a need for a few beta testers soon.
?
I'm Mike, WB8VGE
?
?
<IMG_0778.jpg> <IMG_0775.jpg> <IMG_0783.jpg>
|
Re: Ft-817 power connector
I use the Yaesu cable: I think it came with the radio. It also fits my Yaesu HTs.
73, Leon
G1HSM
|
Yaesu FT-718 power conditioner
Hey, gang...
?
Things have been slow in the shack, so I've raised from the dead a project I started back in 2018. This is a power conditioner for the 718/818.
?
Unlike Phil's design, I can't remember his call, this is an external box.
?
The photos show a early proof build unit.?
?
There are Anderson power poles for input supply.
A field replaceable fuse
Reverse polarity protection
All kinds of noise and spike suppression
Can do 3A output all day long without adding heat to the 718's chassis
the whole shebang mounts into a cast aluminum Hammond box.
?
A new design is being worked on, and if there is enough interest, I might move forward with this project.
Might have a need for a few beta testers soon.
?
I'm Mike, WB8VGE
?
?
|
Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi Steve,
The issue I'm having seems to be different, but close attention to your reply makes me wanting to expend some euros on a dummy load for further debug this.
Meanwhile, I also engaged with Neptune crew (Pawel) and I'm preparing to follow his suggestion on firmware upgrade.
73,
Anaxi, CS7BGW
|
Clyde Lambert
KM4JHK paul
Leon
Anaxi