MFJ-4230MVP
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| Frequency | n/a (13.8 V DC switching power supply) |
| Bands | n/a (station power supply) |
| Power | A compact switching DC power supply: 25 A continuous, 30 A surge at 13.8 V. Output is front-panel adjustable from 4 to 16 V. |
| Modes | compact switching DC power supply with meter |
| Weight | 1.36 kg (3 lb) - Light: about 3 lb (~1.36 kg); 5 x 2.5 x 6 in. |
| dc output | Anderson Powerpole connectors on the rear plus front-panel 5-way binding posts |
| ac in | Selectable 120 or 240 VAC, 47-63 Hz |
| power req | 120/240 VAC input (selectable). Output 13.8 V (adjustable 4-16 V), 25 A continuous / 30 A surge. |
A lot of convenience in a small, light, cheap package: 25 amps continuous (30 surge) at 13.8 volts, with a switchable volt/amp meter, both Powerpole and binding-post outputs, and an adjustable 4-16 V output. The dual 120/240 V input and 3-pound weight make it travel- and field-friendly, and ripple is well controlled for a switcher.
Being a switching supply it can add some RF hash on sensitive HF receive (less than cheap switchers, but more than a linear), 25 A continuous suits a 100-watt radio but not big loads, and as an MFJ product availability should be checked given MFJ's 2024 wind-down. The small meter is basic.
The MFJ-4230MVP is a compact, light, adjustable 25/30 A switching power supply with a meter and both Powerpole and binding-post outputs - a practical, affordable supply for a 100-watt HF/VHF station or a go-kit. Operators wanting zero RF hash prefer a linear supply; verify current MFJ stock.
The MFJ-4230MVP is a compact switching power supply - MFJ's 'MightyLite' - that turns household AC into the 13.8 volts most ham gear needs. It delivers 25 amps continuously and 30 amps on surge, enough for a typical 100-watt HF or VHF/UHF transceiver, and unusually its output is adjustable on the front panel anywhere from 4 to 16 volts, which makes it handy for powering or bench-testing gear that wants something other than 13.8. A push-button on the front switches the meter between reading volts and amps.
It is built for flexibility and portability. The rear panel carries Anderson Powerpole connectors - the de facto standard for ARES/RACES and go-kits - while the front has traditional 5-way binding posts, so you can hook up almost anything. The AC input is selectable for 120 or 240 volts (47-63 Hz) for use anywhere, and the whole supply is tiny and light: about 5 by 2.5 by 6 inches and just 3 pounds. Ripple and noise are kept under 100 millivolts peak-to-peak even at full load, with about 75% efficiency.
The trade-offs are those of any switching supply: it can introduce a little RF hash on sensitive HF receive (less than bargain switchers, but more than a heavy linear supply), and 25 amps continuous is sized for a 100-watt station rather than big loads. As an MFJ product (also sold as the Samlex SEC-4230MVP), it is worth confirming availability given MFJ's 2024 manufacturing wind-down.
It competes with other compact switching supplies like the Powerwerx SS-30DV; operators who want no switching noise at all choose a linear supply such as the Astron RS-35M.