[amsat-bb] Re: EMCOMM, Generators, UPS etc was Phase 4 versus Eagle

[Nate Duehr]

On Dec 18, 2007, at 4:23 AM, <n1jez at burlingtontelecom.net> <n1jez at burlingtontelecom.net 
 > wrote:

> One other thing we do is use a bypass system around the UPS in case  
> that
> fails. Pulluzzi makes a nice one, but quite expensive. We've had a  
> scenario
> where a UPS came on line, ran for a while, but then failed 'in  
> circuit'. By
> that time, AC power had returned, but there was no way to restore  
> power
> because of the UPS failure. With the Pulluzzi switch, power can be  
> routed
> around a failed unit automatically.

I've had some direct contact with Pulluzzi gear for -48VDC power  
switching, and found it was, hmm.. how to put this nicely... somewhat  
unreliable.  (That's being kind.)

Server Technology out of Utah makes some (also expensive) but robust  
gear for similar purposes and we've had great performance out of a  
number of their units.

http://servertech.com/

> This equipment is used for mountaintop transmission systems, so not  
> the
> typical Ham application, but the ideas apply to most emergency type
> situations.

Yeah, sorry if it's off-topic for AMSAT-BB, but you don't see power  
switching and re-routing talked about too much in ham circles other  
than the repeater-building gang.

Probably lots of hams who don't know what's "out there" nowadays for  
nifty power-switching/monitoring/bypass toys!  Too bad many are rather  
spendy for hobby use.  They're really quite nice to use at work,  
though.  Telnet to the box, go into a menu, turn off power switch #23  
and #30... all from somewhere else.

Toys are good.  Reliable toys are even better.  When you can find them  
surplus and integrate them into your station, it's always nice.

--
Nate Duehr, WY0X
nate at natetech.com