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240-Volt Operation of KPA500

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N4CW

240-Volt Operation of KPA500

How do I go about changing from 120-Volt to 240-Volt operation of my
KPA500? I hate to ruin that really
nice power cable by chopping off the plug and substituting a 15-Amp
240-Volt plug; but if that's the way to
do it, I'll get another cable and that way I'll have both AC Voltage (USA)
capabilites.
Of course I understand about the fuses and properly setting the fuse
assembly to reflect the input voltage!
Any caveats from anybody who has already done this?
73, Bert N4CW
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w0mu

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

You might be able to purchase a cord with the 240v USA end on it and the
molded amp plug on the other end. There are numerous types of 220/240
outlets. The other option is buying the cord from Elecraft and cutting
the end off.

Mike W0MU

W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net

On 12/10/2011 8:36 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> How do I go about changing from 120-Volt to 240-Volt operation of my
> KPA500? I hate to ruin that really
> nice power cable by chopping off the plug and substituting a 15-Amp
> 240-Volt plug; but if that's the way to
> do it, I'll get another cable and that way I'll have both AC Voltage (USA)
> capabilites.
> Of course I understand about the fuses and properly setting the fuse
> assembly to reflect the input voltage!
> Any caveats from anybody who has already done this?
> 73, Bert N4CW
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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K2SG

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by N4CW

Phil AD5X posted some info several months ago about a good inexpensive
source of a 240 v cable. C13615P-6 power cord from www.cables.com $12.95
plus shipping.

..Tony K2SG

-----Original Message-----

How do I go about changing from 120-Volt to 240-Volt operation of my
KPA500? I hate to ruin that really
nice power cable by chopping off the plug and substituting a 15-Amp
240-Volt plug; but if that's the way to
do it, I'll get another cable and that way I'll have both AC Voltage (USA)
capabilites.
Of course I understand about the fuses and properly setting the fuse
assembly to reflect the input voltage!
Any caveats from anybody who has already done this?
73, Bert N4CW

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Jim Rhodes-2

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by N4CW

Back when they were still in beta I believe someone posted a source for
that cord with the 15amp 240 volt plug. Check " cables.com " I know they
have some 240 volt nema cables.

Jim K0XU Sent from my Xoom tablet
On Dec 10, 2011 9:37 PM, <[hidden email]> wrote:

Phil Salas

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by N4CW

As I have a 240VAC NEMA 6-20 outlet in my ham shack, I purchased a
"plug-and-play" C13615P-6 power cord from www.cables.com ($12.00 plus $6.45
shipping). The female end of this power cord plugs directly into the rear AC
input connector on the KPA500. The C13615P-6 NEMA 6-15 plug fits either a
6-15 or 6-20 NEMA outlet.

Phil - AD5X

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David Christ

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by N4CW

Ron is on the right track but there is an even easier, quicker, and
cheaper solution. The end of the cable at the KPA500 is the same as
the end used on computers and many other electronic devices. You
probably have a box of them already and if not you probably have a
friend who does. Only one thing to check. The 240 V cable supplied
by Elecraft is marked 1.0mm2 (one square mm in area) That is about
equivalent to 17 gauge in AWG ( see
<http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/awg-wire-gauge-d_731.html>) Just
make sure that the cable you use is AWG 16 and not 18. You will
probably find more 18 than 16 but I have found many are indeed 16.
The UL label on an AWG 18 cable will be marked good for 10 amps which
is more than needed for the 6 amp fuses in the KPA500, but Elecraft
seems to like them oversized by one step. This is true of the 110 v
cables, too. AWG 16 meets code but Elecraft uses 14. Just add the
plug you need.

If you buy a cable from any source make sure you are getting the size you want.

David K0LUM

At 8:01 PM -0800 12/10/11, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

>...
>Also, note that the cord is a standard 3-wire type used on many computers
>and other electronics. I bet you can get one at just about any electrical
>supply to put whatever plug you need on.
>
>Ron AC7AC
>
>-----Original Message-----
>
>... I hate to ruin that really
>nice power cable by chopping off the plug and substituting a 15-Amp
>240-Volt plug; but if that's the way to
>do it, I'll get another cable and that way I'll have both AC Voltage (USA)
>...
>73, Bert N4CW
>
>______________________________________________________________

Jim Brown-10

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by Phil Salas

It's FAR easier (and CHEAPER to simply buy a 240V plug that matches your
outlet, cut the 120V plug off of a standard IEC power cord (like the one
that comes with the KPA500), and put the 240V plug on it. Tools required
-- diagonal cutter and a screwdriver. Total cost -- one plug at your
local hardware or electrical supply store. No postage, no shipping.

Wiring is VERY simple. Connect the green wire to the ground pin,
connect the other two wires to the hot pins. If you have an outlet with
a neutral, make NO connection to the neutral.

73, Jim Brown K9YC

> I purchased a
> "plug-and-play" C13615P-6 power cord fromwww.cables.com ($12.00 plus $6.45
> shipping). The female end of this power cord plugs directly into the rear AC
> input connector on the KPA500. The C13615P-6 NEMA 6-15 plug fits either a
> 6-15 or 6-20 NEMA outlet.

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

Administrator

We are also now offering the U.S 240V NEMA power cord (2 horiz. pins) as
an option for the KPA500 on our order form.
See: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#kpa500

73, Eric WA6HHQ

www.elecraft.com

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w0mu

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

Thanks Eric!

Mike W0MU

W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net

On 12/12/2011 3:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:

> We are also now offering the U.S 240V NEMA power cord (2 horiz. pins) as
> an option for the KPA500 on our order form.
> See: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#kpa500
>
> 73, Eric WA6HHQ
>
> www.elecraft.com
>
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Mike K2MK

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Hi Eric,

You should probably add the Nema reference to the part description for those folks that are arranging for the installation of a 240 volt circuit. The cord shown in the link (with two horizontal pins) is a 15 amp Nema 6-15P plug. It would be suitable to plug into a 15 amp Nema 6-15R receptacle or a 20 amp Nema 6-20R receptacle. (The 6-20R can handle two different pin orientations).

73,
Mike K2MK

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote

We are also now offering the U.S 240V NEMA power cord (2 horiz. pins) as
an option for the KPA500 on our order form.
See: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#kpa500

73, Eric WA6HHQ

www.elecraft.com

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: 240-Volt Operation of KPA500

Administrator

Will do.

73,Eric

www.elecraft.com

On 12/12/2011 4:46 PM, Mike K2MK wrote:

> Hi Eric,
>
> You should probably add the Nema reference to the part description for those
> folks that are arranging for the installation of a 240 volt circuit. The
> cord shown in the link (with two horizontal pins) is a 15 amp Nema 6-15P
> plug. It would be suitable to plug into a 15 amp Nema 6-15R receptacle or a
> 20 amp Nema 6-20R receptacle. (The 6-20R can handle two different pin
> orientations).
>
> 73,
> Mike K2MK
>
>
>
> Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote
>> We are also now offering the U.S 240V NEMA power cord (2 horiz. pins) as
>> an option for the KPA500 on our order form.
>> See: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#kpa500
>>
>> 73, Eric WA6HHQ
>>
>> www.elecraft.com
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@.qth
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>
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