Automatic Transfer Switch

[Tim]

I know it isn't completly related, but in a way it is. I'm looking for a way to switch my power from AC to DC during a power outage for my ham radio. A friend has a relay that does this, which was used in an industrial building. He's said he could get me one, but I've been waiting forever! I've tried searching Ebay without much luck, I have found boxes do this, but many are used for generator backups. While they will work, they are more costly. I really only need the relay, but anything that will work cheap I'd take too! One example is this:

RV Transfer Switch IOTA ITS-50R

I found it on ebay, it is for an RV. The Ebay listing can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/88pdx

By searching for transfer switch there are a ton of them, but as mentioned many are expensive. Anyone have another option, or a source for these relays cheap? Thanks.

 

[hotwire]

Can you tell me what DC voltage the ham radio runs on? Does the radio automatically adjust for the different voltage?

Thanks,
Kenny

 

[jlehnert]

Most ham equipment is 12 VDC and pretty accomodating to voltage flunctuation. Caviat being that I haven't dealt with some of the high power/high-end equipment i.e. 3KW power amps.