Apelco Source?

Old Coot · 01-09-2004, 09:58 PM

Can anyone suggest a potential source for a charger for an Apelco 501 handheld VHF? Norvac and Radio Shack were dead ends.

(Memo to the file: On Ebay the phrase, "I put it on the charger and it worked fine" does NOT mean the charger is included.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Gizmo Man · 01-09-2004, 10:44 PM

look at back on radio and see if it tells you what voltage and mili amp need. Look at your chargers for you cordless phones and see if you have a match. If the plug end does not fit, go to radio shack and get the one that fits and cut other plug end off and put new one on.

Hope that helps.

Giz...

Onokai · 01-10-2004, 04:40 PM

The cheapest option is find out what the voltage and mili amps need are. Go to a good sized thrift store and find the same charger in the pile of chargers. Buy the plug you need from radio shaft and replace the end.Mark

ONOKAI

Old Coot · 01-10-2004, 08:38 PM

Thanks guys, and Captain, too. I appreciate the tips!

whalerpaul · 01-11-2004, 07:23 AM

If you have the cigarette lighter adapter for this unit that may be all you need to keep it recharged.

Paul

whalerpaul · 01-11-2004, 09:56 AM

You might be able to get adapters from Raymarine (they handle Apelco)

here is the url for the manula for the 510 model and it has part numbers and phone numbers for the AC and DC adapters. IF you are only going to get one, I recommend the DC adapter (cigarette lighter) as you should be able to recharge the unit on the boat then.
this is a 3 meg file , so beware.

http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/S...ons/VHF510.pdf

Paul

Old Coot · 01-11-2004, 01:27 PM

Thanks Whaler! By the time I get all done this $20 radio is going to cost me about one and a half times what a new one would.

This is turning into something akin to a crusade; but it gives me something to do when I can't fish or hunt. :grin:

whalerpaul · 01-11-2004, 04:44 PM

Sometimes things work out that way, but maybe not this time. I liked the suggestions above about using a different, but electrically compatible, adapter , either AC or DC (assuming that the DC connection will recharge the batteries too, this needs to be verified).

Take a look at the manual for the required voltage for the unit ( I expect 6.8 or 7.2 volts) and find what the polarity of the plug is ( + and - contacts). There should be many other products (AC adapters) that should work for that.
I have an email question in to a current seller of that model asking what info (voltage, current) is given on their AC adapter... Ill let you know if they respond.

GOod luck,
Paul

whalerpaul · 01-11-2004, 08:46 PM

From an AC adapter of the same model radio,:

INPUT AC120V 60Hz 6W
OUTPUT AC 12V 200mA.

This seems pretty generic to me, but I would suggest calling customer support for Raymarine (apelco) and finding out if there is any additional circuitry in the AC 'base station' that the radio plugs into to get recharged. Additional circuitry may change the voltage or clip part of the AC out.
Maybe some EE savvy ifish-er could comment on this.

best regards,
paul

Old Coot · 01-12-2004, 06:56 PM

Thanks again Paul. I appreciate the input. You Dogs are great! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

whalerpaul · 01-13-2004, 01:22 PM

Oops! My bad. I think the info I gave was for the Apelco 510 not the 501. Ill try to correct that shortly.

sorry,
paul

Gizmo Man · 01-13-2004, 01:27 PM

another quick way is to check the voltage of the battery...ie is it 12v or 6 or somewhere in between.

There are many devices out there. If you tell me I might have one in the garage as I have saved a number of them from different devices.

Giz...

whalerpaul · 01-13-2004, 01:53 PM

Ok, The right link for the manual for the Apelco 501 is:
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/S...ns/VHF501+.pdf

a mere 2 megabytes :smile:

The voltage on the 501 is different from the 510.

For the 501,the manual lists the nominal DC voltage at 10.8 VDC and 3 amps max. It is apparently quite forgiving on the input range from an external source and can be up to 20 vDC, 3 amp max. Thus, you should be able to use a simple cigarette lighter adapter and connect directly to the boat battery voltage (12-14 volts with alternator running).
I dont know that this would recharge the batteries while it is working... you would need to look at the circuit diagrams in the manual to answer that ( or experiment with it).

The AC adapter to use would be one that provided around 12 volts output. YOu will need to ensure you do not overcharge the ni-cad batteries with an AC adapter as you dont have any other circuitry to limit that ( it might have been included in the recharging cradle).
Customer support at RayMarine (Apelco) may be able to help by answering some of the recharging questions.

The manual also has their part numbers for the DC and AC adapters.

Good luck,

Paul

whalerpaul · 01-13-2004, 06:19 PM

I found someone on eBay that says they have an ac adapter (CT 60) for the Apelco 501. Here is the info pasted in bits and pieces from several emails. I dont know the guy, but he works for a marine electronics supply company that sells excess stuff on eBay:

From Shawn:
The CT-60 auction ended already. the starting price was $19.99 which is what i want
for them. The shipping is $10.89 for a total of $30.88
Let me know what you would like to do.
Thanks,
Shawn
you can call me at (409)962-8787 8am-5pm CST

www.dbselectronics.com

note:-with the CT_60, you just have to change the plug from a 220vac to a 110vac.

Old Coot · 01-14-2004, 07:07 PM

Success! Thru the manual, which I had not been able to locate thru Google, I was able to pull a part #, call Raymarine, and get the right charger and a fairly reasonable price.

Again, thanks to all for your help; and Paul, you went way beyond. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I appreciate it.

whalerpaul · 01-14-2004, 08:10 PM

You're welcome! Now are we going to go through this again to get you a backup VHF unit? :smile:

Paul