An automatic transfer switch for a DC radio system is the quiet safeguard between your primary power supply and a backup battery. When the AC that feeds your 13.8V supply drops, the switch should instantly move your repeater or accessory load to the battery without you flipping a toggle. These two PWRgate-style backup switching systems both do that job, but they differ in current rating and connector style. This head-to-head comparison looks at the Radiodan PWRgate and the CrazyHamSales DC ATS to help you pick the one that matches your wiring and current draw. Choosing between them is mostly about current capacity and how your cables are terminated.
The listed prices are nearly identical: USD 44.95 for the Radiodan unit and USD 45.00 for the CrazyHamSales unit. The decision comes down to current rating and connector style rather than cost.
At a glance
| Aspect | Radiodan Repeater PWRgate | CrazyHamSales 45A DC ATS |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 44.95 | USD 45.00 |
| Max current | up to 30A | up to 45A |
| Connection type | yellow terminals | Anderson PowerPole on main, aux, and output |
| Brand/reference | Radiodan | CrazyHamSales DCATS |
The difference between yellow terminals and Anderson PowerPole connectors matters for your existing setup. The Radiodan unit connects through yellow terminals. The CrazyHamSales unit uses Anderson PowerPole connectors on the main input, auxiliary input, and output, a format that matches PowerPole distribution systems.
Where each wins
The Radiodan PWRgate wins for simple repeater installations where the load sits within its rated current and the wiring uses conventional terminals. The CrazyHamSales DC ATS wins for higher-current accessory runs and for stations already built around Anderson PowerPole distribution boxes.
Product notes
Radiodan PWRgate Repeater Backup Switch
This PWRgate automatically switches a repeater, or any 13.8VDC load, from your normal supply to your battery when the wall-powered DC supply fails. It is rated up to 30A, which makes it a solid fit for repeater work with a modest current draw. It is not a battery-to-battery switch, because a battery that slowly drains down to 9V can still hold the relay engaged. If your backup scenario is a complete loss of the AC-powered supply, that is exactly what this unit handles. The connection points are yellow terminals rather than PowerPole connectors. The yellow-terminal format is the key fit question: if your repeater already lands on a terminal strip, this switch is a clean match.
CrazyHamSales PWRgate DC ATS with PowerPole
The 45A DC ATS from CrazyHamSales is built for loads up to 45A at 13.8VDC nominal, with an 11-15V range for radios, accessories, and LED lighting. The 11-15V range supports nominal 13.8V radio systems, so it is a direct fit for that standard voltage. Anderson PowerPole connectors appear on all three connections: main input, auxiliary battery input, and output. If you already use PowerPole distribution boxes, this switch drops into that ecosystem cleanly. The limitation is that all three connections are PowerPole, so stations built around bare-yellow-terminal wiring or other connector families need to accommodate that connector format. This unit also does not switch between two batteries; it is intended for mains-fed supply to battery backup switching.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Radiodan PWRgate if your repeater or radio load stays within its lower current rating and you're comfortable with yellow-terminal wiring. Choose the CrazyHamSales DC ATS if you need the higher current capacity or your station is already set up with Anderson PowerPole distribution boxes. If neither scenario applies, let the connector scheme be the tiebreaker: yellow terminals for a simple wired connection, PowerPole for a modular distribution setup.
