Ranger 2970N2 or new RCI-69VHP?

[CB590]

As (my) luck would have it my truck has been down for almost a week, getting towed today to shop up here. So there goes $110 for the tow and whatever else..

I was saving money for a new rig by selling the 2950 and Y-757GX (non working) in recent weeks and this happens..

Any one have input on the newest 2970N2? I heard about the mosfets issue and extra power being drawn, but I heard they corrected that..

 

[ExitThirteen]

The 2970N2's aren't too awful, but honestly your best bet is to run a 2950 and an amp.

Any time you run a radio/PA combo you can potentially have heat issues. The heat generated by the PA board has nowhere to go but rise up into the main PCB and can cause drifting problems in the case of the 69VHP, and eventually component failure in the 2970N2. If you decide to buy a 2970N2, which in this case IS the better radio, you'll want to run the radio upside down so the heat dissipates correctly off the heatsink, or have someone fabricate the covers so that the heatsink is on the top side of the radio, not the bottom side.

Best setup to have is to run a radio with the amp separate so the amp can be isolated away from the radio.


~Cheers~

 

[AudioShockwav]

I agree.

73
Jeff

 

[CB590]

The 2970N2's aren't too awful, but honestly your best bet is to run a 2950 and an amp.

Any time you run a radio/PA combo you can potentially have heat issues. The heat generated by the PA board has nowhere to go but rise up into the main PCB and can cause drifting problems in the case of the 69VHP, and eventually component failure in the 2970N2. If you decide to buy a 2970N2, which in this case IS the better radio, you'll want to run the radio upside down so the heat dissipates correctly off the heatsink, or have someone fabricate the covers so that the heatsink is on the top side of the radio, not the bottom side.

Best setup to have is to run a radio with the amp separate so the amp can be isolated away from the radio.


~Cheers~

Do you think a 80 or 120cm fan underneath would work? I don't do long qso just the typical 38 lower yell and reply..

 

[AudioShockwav]

A Texas star 500 has 4 x 2879 transistors in it.
Look at the size of the heat sink on that amp.
It needs a 120 mm fan on it (some even mount 2 on them ) to keep it cool.
Look at the size of the heat sink on the 2970n2.
The PA section sitting 1/2 an inch from the board inside the radio invites stability problems.
Search this forum or the internet for issues with the 2970N2.
The most reliable set up I see is a radio and separate amp.
Heat is the number one enemy of electronics.
Good luck.

73
Jeff

 

[999]

This seems to be the consensus of what we are suggesting you do.

I would get the 2950DX and just run it into the DX350. The radio will me much happier without all of that heat from the built in amp and things will be more stable.

2950DX + kicker.

Steer clear of the new/old ranger. 2970N2 were finicky when they came out, 2950DX safer bet.

The 2970N2's aren't too awful, but honestly your best bet is to run a 2950 and an amp.

Any time you run a radio/PA combo you can potentially have heat issues. The heat generated by the PA board has nowhere to go but rise up into the main PCB and can cause drifting problems in the case of the 69VHP, and eventually component failure in the 2970N2. If you decide to buy a 2970N2, which in this case IS the better radio, you'll want to run the radio upside down so the heat dissipates correctly off the heatsink, or have someone fabricate the covers so that the heatsink is on the top side of the radio, not the bottom side.

Best setup to have is to run a radio with the amp separate so the amp can be isolated away from the radio.


~Cheers~

A Texas star 500 has 4 x 2879 transistors in it.
Look at the size of the heat sink on that amp.
It needs a 120 mm fan on it (some even mount 2 on them ) to keep it cool.
Look at the size of the heat sink on the 2970n2.
The PA section sitting 1/2 an inch from the board inside the radio invites stability problems.
Search this forum or the internet for issues with the 2970N2.
The most reliable set up I see is a radio and separate amp.
Heat is the number one enemy of electronics.
Good luck.

73
Jeff

 

[CB590]

I hear you. Maybe I'll just run the 296DX and sell the 350 and upgrade to 500 for the heck of it.. cheaper too.

 

[Delta 1]

The 2970N2's aren't too awful, but honestly your best bet is to run a 2950 and an amp.

Any time you run a radio/PA combo you can potentially have heat issues. The heat generated by the PA board has nowhere to go but rise up into the main PCB and can cause drifting problems in the case of the 69VHP, and eventually component failure in the 2970N2. If you decide to buy a 2970N2, which in this case IS the better radio, you'll want to run the radio upside down so the heat dissipates correctly off the heatsink, or have someone fabricate the covers so that the heatsink is on the top side of the radio, not the bottom side.

Best setup to have is to run a radio with the amp separate so the amp can be isolated away from the radio.


~Cheers~

 

[CB590]

So you just flipped it on to the top and or is it now external? And is the speaker on bottom?

 

[Delta 1]

So you just flipped it on to the top and or is it now external? And is the speaker on bottom?

Flipped it on top and speaker is on the bottom.. I run a external speaker with it.. 73

 

[CB590]

Flipped it on top and speaker is on the bottom.. I run a external speaker with it.. 73

Was it a pain to flip? How far did you have to extend wires or was it just a flip? Any pics may help me..

 

[Delta 1]

Was it a pain to flip? How far did you have to extend wires or was it just a flip? Any pics may help me..

Was it a pain to flip? How far did you have to extend wires or was it just a flip? Any pics may help me..

Was it a pain to flip? How far did you have to extend wires or was it just a flip? Any pics may help me..

I got this from a buddy if mine in Alabama (Lance).. he explained to me how he did it.. don't know if these pictures helped you any..

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Putting it on top would put it right against the circuit board. I don't see how that would help. Hot air rises. But heat seeks cold in any direction.

 

[AudioShockwav]

See the BIG sticker on the heat sink?
CAUTION MAY BE HOT.
If they did not think you were gonna burn your fingers on it they would not put that sticker there.

73
Jeff

 

[CB590]

See the BIG sticker on the heat sink?
CAUTION MAY BE HOT.
If they did not think you were gonna burn your fingers on it they would not put that sticker there.

73
Jeff

Just sticking with what I got for now. Truck has to get fixed. Could be timing chain or distributor..