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Main 12 volt supply
Roleystone is a mains powered site. All the equipment is 12 volts and is powered from 2 Dick Smith 25 amp regulated supplies which, via isolating diodes charge a 300 AH battery. This large battery is located away from the racks and is cabled under the floor to the rack distribution panel located in the left hand rack. The 300 AH battery is isolated, if due to an extended mains failure, the battery voltage drops below 11.75 volts by the low voltage cut out. D-Star 12 volt supply
The D-star equipment is separately powered and floats across a separate 12 volt battery. The low voltage cut out does not isolate this system and there is no protection of the D-star battery should the mains fail. Mains Failure
The mains does fail from time to time,
mainly due to the RCD triggering and remaining in the mains off
position until it is manually reset, which requires a site visit.
The sequence of events is, once the mains fails, an audible alarm is placed on the 2 metre repeater's tail between overs, VK6RAP, that says "mains failure". The level of this warning is low so as not to annoy users too much. Users should limit their operation through Roleystone, once this alarm is heard. Depending on the condition of the 300AH battery system, the site should operate for at least 24 hours. Once the battery voltage drops to 11.75 a tone is placed on the tail of VK6RAP 2 metres, that indicates the battery voltage is nearing a point at which the mains cut out will isolate the battery. Once the battery voltage drops to 11.5 volts, the cut out operates and all systems connected to the main site battery back up are switched off. |
