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Fatboy 2x2879 pill output problems

K

killercummins

Member
Jun 29, 2011
2
0
11
northern kentucky
I recently purchased a fatboy 2 pill trucker amp. Im driving it with a cobra 29nw ltd classic dk 2watts swinging to 16w running to a mfj 108" whip. Power is being fed to the amp via 8' 10gauge wire. With the amp on and turned all the way up it only deadkeys around 9w and swings to 100w. I have tested it on 3 diff antennas and different coax. The meter im using is a cheap avg meter. I have ordered a better dosy meter should be here later this week to compare. What is the best ways to check the pills without removing them if possible. I was told that if the pill is blown it usually blows the resistor beside it. Just looking for any insight on the situation.

Thanks jeff
 

Wait till you get your new meter and then hollor back, on avg that's about right for a non-driver section amp.

With 16 watt's pep drive into it you should see right at 180 to 200 watts pep.
 
What Mack said Killer. I am curious to see what the new meter shows, but thinking about it now, I believe he is pretty much on track with the suggested output. If you were to have a trusted tech do a peak and tune, and give that radio a good alignment, upgrade your amp power wires to 4 gauge at the minimum, then I believe you would see that 300 watt number like I suggested earlier. Lets see what the new meter shows tho.:pop:
 
First, what you are seeing is about average for a two transistor (2SC2879) amplifier fed with something like 2 - 5 watts of drive. It means you are getting typical output. Contrary to popular belief, that '2879 is not a high-drive transistor. Don't take my word for it, look at the specifications sheet. I trust the manufacturer to give better information than any amplifier builder, sorry 'bout that (but not much). You certainly can get upwards of 200 - 300 watts from a pair of 2879's. The problem is that the output is generally trashy. Thankfully, that trashy kind of signal doesn't last too long. Guess it just depends on if you want quality or quantity. Suit yourself...
- 'Doc
 
You're only feeding it 13.7 volts or so. It's made to take 16v. Crank up the feed voltage or you'll never get max output from it.
 
Yankee said:
You're only feeding it 13.7 volts or so. It's made to take 16v. Crank up the feed voltage or you'll never get max output from it.
Click to expand...


That's not the issue here at all from this 2 year old thread. Run at a normal 13.5-14.5 volts that amp should hit 200-250 watts easy with 16 watts PEP input. 35-45 watts PEP in and the output will be 350+ watts. There is no need to mess with voltage levels unless your into the comp shootout thing. I think he either has a poor meter or the amp is broken.
 
Best thing you can do for that pile of trash in the trash can. Get a ham rig... if i recall correctly my old marsh ft890 had a pair of 2sc2879 transistors in it
 

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