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PRODUCT SHOWCASE 1800W/230V Inverter With Pure Sinewave Output If you’ve ever needed to run sensitive test equipment, computers, audio or video equipment from an inverter, you would know the problems most inverters cause. That’s because most inverters have at best a modified sinewave output, meaning harmonics, distortion and interference. A new 1800W inverter available through Bainbridge Technologies solves that problem because it has true sinewave output, enabling devices connected to it to run at their full rating. Motors, for example, start easier and run cooler and quieter. Measuring 391 x 279 x 115 (mm) and weighing 7.5kg, the Statpower Prosine 1800 is no lightweight – but then again, with 1800W output, you wouldn’t expect it to be. It features short circuit protection, under/ over voltage shutdown, over temperature shutdown, overload shutdown and AC backfeed protection. Battery polarity is clearly marked but if you do manage to connect the battery with reverse polarity battery an internal fuse will blow and service will be required. Total harmonic distortion (THD) is claimed to be typically 1% while efficiency is claimed to range from 84% at 200W out up to 90% at 1kW out, dropping marginally at full output. The output must be derated above ambient temperatures of 35°C (dropping to 900W at 60°C). The 5-second surge rating is 2900W. Connection is via a pair of large bolt terminals and power output is via a standard 240V AC mains socket (a hard-wired version is also available). An LCD panel displays the DC input voltage and current while a bargraph shows the AC output in watts. The same panel will also display a range of fault conditions. With a current drain of 170A or more at full output, a heavy duty battery is required. Statpower specify a range of deep cycle batteries such as those used in marine, recreational vehicle and golf cart applications. Standard automotive batteries are not recommended, except in emergencies. In use We must admit we had a problem when we fired up the Statpower Prosine 1800. Not so much with the inverter operation – that was fine. We have the ’scope pattern to prove it: you couldn’t want a much better sinewave (ignore the digital scope artefacts on the waveform). And look at those measurements: as close to 50Hz as possible and the voltage just a tad over spec at 231.6V. That was with a load of about 200W. No, our problem was with our battery. Against the specific warning about using a car battery, we used. . . a car battery. None of us at SILICON CHIP is fortunate enough to own a golf cart or a fork lift so we couldn’t purloin a big battery. We tried to get away with a littlie: it tried hard but couldn’t handle the load. When we tried to draw significantly more power, the inverter did exactly the right thing and shut down. The LCD display told us why – under voltage). We tried using some monstrous leads (400A-ish) but it was the battery that was letting us down. Still, the results we did achieve lead us to believe that the Statpower Prosine 1800 would deliver the goods if used correctly. Curiosity got the better of us and we had a good look inside – and were impressed! It’s very well constructed and looks as though some very serious design work indeed has gone into this inverter! That’s not surprising, because Statpower makes a large range of similar equipment. Incidentally, if you’re looking for a smaller inverter, Bainbridge Technologies have available a much smaller (and lower cost) 150W inverter intended for domestic appliances and small hand tools (see pic below). For further information contact Bainbridge Technologies, 77 Shore St, Cleveland, Qld. Tel (07) 3821 3333. Fax (07) 3821 3977. MAY 1999  53 Redback PA Amps from Altronics High Quality A/V Cable Range Altronics has released a new range The output is AGC limited to of Redback Phase 4 Public Address prevent dangerously high voltages Amplifiers. Available in either mixer appearing at the output when lightly From DSE or booster format the Phase 4 incorporates thermally cued on demand cooling coupled with a custom-designed heatsink tunnel ensuring the amplifier runs cool under all conditions. Power outputs of 125 + 250W for the mixer amps and 125, 250 and 500W for the booster amps ALL in a 2RU chassis. loaded. Distortion is typically less than 0.2% at 1kHz full power full load, while LED monitors show output level, input presence, overload, AGC and power. The Redback Phase 4 Amplifiers are Australian designed and manufactured and are covered by a 2 year warranty. For further information contact Altronic Distributors on 08 9328 2199. Oxley Amateur Field Day One of the premier events for amateur radio operators and electronics enthusiasts of the mid-north and north coasts of NSW, the Oxley Amateur Field Day, is again being held at Port Macquarie on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, June 12&13. This annual event is very pop-ular with exhibits and demonstrations from a number of suppliers of equipment, the usual “bring and buy” flea market and various fox hunt events. The Field Day will be held at the Sea Scout Hall, Buller St, Port Macquarie from 1-4pm Saturday and the main day, 9am-4pm Sunday For further information contact David, VK2AYD on (02) 6585 2647 or email davpil<at>midcoast.com.au In response to the increasing popularity of Home Theatre systems and the re-emergence of separate hifi components, Dick Smith Electronics have introduced two new ranges of high quality cables. The “Harmony” and higher spec “Harmony Gold” ranges have more than 40 cables including audio, video and optical, in a variety of lengths and connectors. They range in price from $12.95 for the Harmony 2-metre RCA/ RCA lead up to $49.95 for the 5-metre Harmony Gold 3xRCA/3xRCA lead. The optical cables are suitable for the latest technology consumer products such as DVD players, digital video cameras, mini disc players and amplifiers with Dolby Digital and Dolby ProLogic. All cables are available from Dick Smith Electronics stores throughout Australia or via mail order. Two VGA Screens From One Computer There are many applications where computer images need to be displayed to a wider audience than one monitor will allow. Education is the most obvious but demonstrations, retailing, computer presentations, point-of-sale and even computer video/games/ entertainment can all benefit from a second screen. Questronix have released a small VGA splitter, the VGS2, which does exactly that: 1 VGA input in, 2 out. Perhaps even more importantly, the second screen can be up to 65 metres away from the source using “HQ” 54  Silicon Chip cables. The system works with VGA, SVGA and XGA signals. It also has the ability, via an optional remote switch assembly, to send the remote screen black while the local screen remains active. This is very handy in education where a teacher or trainer wants the students’ attention. Or it can be used to load programs or sensitive information without that being viewed on the remote screen. Priced at $169 (inc tax) and includ- ing a 12V plugpack supply and one VGA computer lead, the VGS2 is available direct from Questronix, PO Box 548, Hornsby NSW 2076. Tel (02) 9477 3681, Fax (02) 9477 3569. Mo r e info r m atio n is a l s o available from their website, www.questronix.com.au/~questav You’ve Heard of Caller ID; Now There’s Talking Caller ID! Jackson Industries, one of the major suppliers of telephone and communication accessories to retailers in Australia, has introduced a Talking Caller ID unit to the Australian market. The Model TC509 ID unit connects to the telephone line in the same way as conventional caller ID units but instead of displaying the calling number, announces it after the first “ring”. This patented technology, developed in the US, will be available in Australia from June this year. Recommended retail price is $59.95. The unit stores the last 10 calls for review and will announce the number, time and date of each incoming call for later review. In future months other models will be released which feature both incoming caller ID announcement and number display. Intusoft Offers Free Books Intusoft has announced that they are giving away free copies of their popular Power Specialist’s App Note Book on their company website. In addition, Intusoft has initiated a “SPICE Model of the Month” posting on their website. The book, an information-packed handbook for power supply designers, contains over 35 technical articles on power supply design and power electronics modeling. The book is available for immediate down-load from the Intusoft website, both in its entirety (in pdf format), or in individual articles at: http: //www.intusoft.com/psbook.htm The individual articles are also available in the Adobe Acrobat “pdf” format. Intusoft’s web site also features a new posting of a “SPICE Model Library of the Month”. Each month, a new SPICE model library will be available free. The “SPICE Model of the Month” can be found at: http://www.intusoft. com/models.htm The company offers other free SPICE models at: http://www.intusoft. com/models.htm#freemodels SMART FASTCHARGERS® 2 NEW MODELS WITH OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS & BUDGET Now with 240V AC + 12V DC operation PLUS fully automatic voltage detection Use these REFLEX® chargers for all your Nicads and NIMH batteries: Power tools  Torches  Radio equip.  Mobile phones  Video cameras  Field test instruments  RC models incl. indoor flight  Laptops  Photographic equip.  Toys  Others  Rugged, compact and very portable. Designed for maximum battery capacity and longest battery life. For further information, contact Jackson Industries, PO Box 6388 BHBC, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153. Phone (02) 9899 8833; Fax (02) 9899 8378; email chris<at>ji.com.au Nepcon ’99 for Melbourne The electronics equipment and component show, Nepcon 99, will be held in Melbourne’s Exhibition and Convention Centre from 25-27 May. The Australian debut of Nepcon in Sydney was hailed by exhibitors and visitors alike as a benchmark for the electronics industry’s direction into the next millennium. This year, Nepcon will feature the latest local and international electronics products including: design and manufacturing equipment, PCB fabrication and assembly components, test and measurement equipment, EMI/ RFI products, satellite and microwave technology, defence equipment, electronic design tools, racks, enclosures and components. Another first at Nepcon ’99 will be an informative specialised conference featuring national and international guest speakers who will present tutorials and workshops. The focus and theme of the conference is ‘Education’ and a comprehensive speaker and workshop program has been organised. For further information on Nepcon ’99 contact Reed Exhibitions Companies on (02) 9422 2518. SC AVOIDS THE WELL KNOWN MEMORY EFFECT. SAVES MONEY & TIME: Restore most Nicads with memory effect to capacity. Recover batteries with very low remaining voltage. CHARGES VERY FAST plus ELIMINATES THE NEED TO DISCHARGE: charge standard batteries in minimum 3 min., max. 1 to 4 hrs, depending on mA/h rating. Partially empty batteries are just topped up. Batteries always remain cool; this increases the total battery life and also the battery’s reliability. DESIGNED AND MADE IN AUSTRALIA For a FREE, detailed technical description please Ph (03) 6492 1368; Fax (03) 6492 1329; or email smartfastchargers<at>bigpond.com 2567 Wilmot Rd., Devonport, TAS 7310 PCB POWER TRANSFORMERS 1VA to 25VA Manufactured in Australia Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 MAY 1999  55