Trusdx making over 9W with 15V, SAFE?

[lobanz]

I was reading other posts here and it says 15V is safe. The Trusdx manual says max 16V.

Mine is making over 9W on 80m at 15V. Just wanting to confirm that's safe. Pushing close to twice the rated power.

Also, on mine, 40m is the band with the least power. Does that make sense?

(BTW, I got 15V from a USB-C PD -> DC barrel jack "trigger" cable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGF9DX8J I also built a cable with a $1 boost converter to get 13.8 from a dumb 5V USB port on a cheap $8 USB power bank. And I've run straight off a 4S LiFePO4 battery. All work. IMHO, powering the trusdx via a USB power bank makes a slick looking, lightweight setup.)

[LILO]

How did you measure output power?

[lobanz]

How did you measure output power?

I just had the trusdx display it in CW mode.

[lobanz]

Any ideas on this? 15V seems to be pushing the trusdx beyond its stated specs. Should I stay at 13.8V? Or 12V? Looking for a long term safe voltage. Thinking about setting up antennas different ways. SWR may fluctuate. If 15V makes the trusdx fragile, then I might want to stay away from it.

Thoughts? Experiences?

[DL2MAN]

Definately NOT safe. Neither 15V nor 9W.
While you might get away if your Efficiency is in the high 80ies and you only use perfectly tuned and resonant antennas, the first time something goes wrong (like a broken cable, bad connector, bird sitting on your antenna) there will be no warning. Smoke immediately.

73 Manuel; DL2MAN

[lobanz]

Definately NOT safe. Neither 15V nor 9W. [...]

Thanks. So is there an "ideal" or "safest" voltage? 12V?

[DL2MAN]

Nominal 12-13,8V

[Constrainted]

Good job! So the buck boost circuit was not noisy? What modes did you run?

73 Constrainted