[Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Some thoughts.
Just some thoughts - no questions :) Recently I bought an AC-4 power supply (serial # above 55,000) that had parts missing. Basically, and I knew it, the $43 (included shipping) was buying a cabinet, the three pronged power cord, the main cord with cinch connector, the fuse holder, the L-C's for the power line, the terminal strips and the transformer. Mike's (WB8VRG) AC4R rebuild kit was also needed to complete the parts. I prefer to buy Mike's rebuild with the PCB assembled. For the extra $15 I know that it was done well. So, with the kit and postage another $86 goes into the project. In this case the cost of a set of components for an AC4 comes to $129.00. Then you have to add TLC, some enjoyable time at the bench and the proverbial smoke test. . Considering all of the warnings about how a failing supply can take down a rig, rebuilding is an insurance policy. Plus, when those caps melt down it is a real mess to clean up! So, when looking at Ron's (WB4HFN) price range for AC-4s from $48 to $193.50 with an average of $106, you have to assume that the above average ones are rebuilt. If a professional adds the TLC and does the rebuild, then another way shipping would be an additional cost for sure. Then the fair price should be at the top. Kris KM2KM Merschrod 123 Warren Road Ithaca, NY 14850 www.merschrod.net ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Some thoughts.
Kris, some of those supplies fall under the 'it worked the last time it was plugged in' so I'd be very careful about sticking a price on such a item. Some AC4Rs that have my rebuilt kit, and advertised as such, seem to bring in a lot more money, especially on ebay. but, that's just a non scientific observation on my part mike Mike, WB8VGE SunLight Energy Systems The Heathkit Shop http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ J e e p o|||o A man with one clock knows what time it is. A man with two clocks is never sure. On May 15, 2011, at 12:30 PM, Kris Merschrod wrote: Just some thoughts - no questions :) Recently I bought an AC-4 power supply (serial # above 55,000) that had parts missing. Basically, and I knew it, the $43 (included shipping) was buying a cabinet, the three pronged power cord, the main cord with cinch connector, the fuse holder, the L-C's for the power line, the terminal strips and the transformer. Mike's (WB8VRG) AC4R rebuild kit was also needed to complete the parts. I prefer to buy Mike's rebuild with the PCB assembled. For the extra $15 I know that it was done well. So, with the kit and postage another $86 goes into the project. In this case the cost of a set of components for an AC4 comes to $129.00. Then you have to add TLC, some enjoyable time at the bench and the proverbial smoke test. . Considering all of the warnings about how a failing supply can take down a rig, rebuilding is an insurance policy. Plus, when those caps melt down it is a real mess to clean up! So, when looking at Ron's (WB4HFN) price range for AC-4s from $48 to $193.50 with an average of $106, you have to assume that the above average ones are rebuilt. If a professional adds the TLC and does the rebuild, then another way shipping would be an additional cost for sure. Then the fair price should be at the top. Kris KM2KM Merschrod 123 Warren Road Ithaca, NY 14850 www.merschrod.net ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Some thoughts.
A good working condition AC-4 NOT rebuilt is about $60-$90... If it has the AC-4R then it should be another $75-100 IMHO. 73, Lee, KC9CDT -Original Message- From: mike bryce proso...@sssnet.com To: Kris Merschrod k...@merschrod.net Cc: Drakelist drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Sun, May 15, 2011 1:12 pm Subject: Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Some thoughts. Kris, some of those supplies fall under the 'it worked the last time it was plugged in' so I'd be very careful about sticking a price on such a item. Some AC4Rs that have my rebuilt kit, and advertised as such, seem to bring in a lot more money, especially on ebay. but, that's just a non scientific observation on my part mike Mike, WB8VGE SunLight Energy Systems The Heathkit Shop http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ J e e p o|||o A man with one clock knows what time it is. A man with two clocks is never sure. On May 15, 2011, at 12:30 PM, Kris Merschrod wrote: Just some thoughts - no questions :) Recently I bought an AC-4 power supply (serial # above 55,000) that had parts missing. Basically, and I knew it, the $43 (included shipping) was buying a cabinet, the three pronged power cord, the main cord with cinch connector, the fuse holder, the L-C's for the power line, the terminal strips and the transformer. Mike's (WB8VRG) AC4R rebuild kit was also needed to complete the parts. I prefer to buy Mike's rebuild with the PCB assembled. For the extra $15 I know that it was done well. So, with the kit and postage another $86 goes into the project. In this case the cost of a set of components for an AC4 comes to $129.00. Then you have to add TLC, some enjoyable time at the bench and the proverbial smoke test. . Considering all of the warnings about how a failing supply can take down a rig, rebuilding is an insurance policy. Plus, when those caps melt down it is a real mess to clean up! So, when looking at Ron's (WB4HFN) price range for AC-4s from $48 to $193.50 with an average of $106, you have to assume that the above average ones are rebuilt. If a professional adds the TLC and does the rebuild, then another way shipping would be an additional cost for sure. Then the fair price should be at the top. Kris KM2KM Merschrod 123 Warren Road Ithaca, NY 14850 www.merschrod.net ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Somethoughts.
The worth of an AC-4 power supply is in the eye of the buyer. The serial number of an AC4 is irrelevant anymore. There is NO good, working AC4 at this stage unless it is rebuilt with one of Mike's boards (or possibly with Hayseed Hamfest's new caps). All we are really buying at this stage is the transformer, case, bias pot and looks of the pieces. ALL the caps are suspect and time bombs waiting to destroy unobtainium parts in the rigs. Sure, if we had to buy a transformer of this type, it would be VERY high indeed, but there are tens of thousands of these supplies somewhere. If I'm wrong, I have a pile of gold over in the corner awaiting rebuilds, hi. ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] 2A passband
The 2A has an lsb/usb control on the front panel. Is this true passband tuning? ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth? Somethoughts.
Don sums it up dramatically, ALL the caps are suspect and time bombs waiting to destroy unobtainium parts in the rigs. A rebuild is an insurance policy and the worth of an AC-4 has to be calculated with that in mind. Ron (WB4HFN) - does your data base of sales history on AC-4s have the w vs. w/o rebuild ? Kris KM2KM Merschrod 123 Warren Road Ithaca, NY 14850 www.merschrod.net ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] How much is an AC-4 power supply really worth?
The AC-4's used to run around $75. The serial number or appearance really means little to nothing. Buying an AC-4 that has not had the capacitors replaced is a risk. The state of the electrolytics should be suspect. I have bought nice ones on eBay only to find the capacitors leaky. Also the plug the mates to the transmitter can have worn, oxidized, or burnt contacts. Keeping that in mind watch what you give for one. Plan on re-capping it. 73, Gary___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Mike's AC-4R
Hi gang, I did love all the commotion about the AC-4 power supplies. Just remember, that's not ebay, but epay. Lots of crazies out there that will bid the farm to buy just one accessory. My question for Mike is.. Will you be at Dayton next weekend? What space number? I bought one of his (not assembled) kits, had a friend upload an instruction book for me. After reading the first page decided to only use the page with the parts layout, and the before, and after schematics. There was no head scratching. The Kit was so straight forward, the only thing I had to do was what a trained monkey could do. Take Care, all. Hope to see some of you at Dayton Tom, WD8JPP ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Smoke damaged TR-4CW
I have a TR-4CW that was given to me that was in a fire about a year ago. I can see no damage to the plastic dials or knobs, meters, etc. so I think it was not close to flames. The top of the chassis is covered with heavy soot. The front panel and underneath the chassis look very good. My question to the group is what is the best way to clean it up. I have given thought to taking it outside on a hot sunny day and spraying Simple Green on the chassis and scrubbing it with a fairly stiff bristle brush. All comments are welcome. Regards, Jerry K4FJK___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
