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Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

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john@kk9a.com

Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

My 70amp Astron has 1/4" lugs and they seem to make a secure connection.
Do to my longer lead length (power supply on floor) I used 8ga wire. This
was difficult to stuff into the K3S sized PowerPole. Even with the shorter
leads that I use on contest expeditions along with a switching power
supply I found that I need 10ga wire to keep the voltage above 13.5 on TX.
I think that larger PowerPoles or studs would have been nicer for those
interested in keeping the K3S voltage in the desirable range. Double as
Joe suggested would also work if you wanted to run two sets of wires.

John KK9A

Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

Ohms Law! If the transceiver power supply cable is short and heavy
guage with multiple contact pins (or #10 - 1/4" bolted terminals)
and #10 or 14" bolted terminals on the power supply, the impedance
of the desired path in the power supply cable will be much, much
less than the path through control cables (#16-#22 wires with
single small pins) and any accessories.

Elecraft/Astron come close with their power supply connection. I
would appreciate it if the transceiver had bolted connections or
at least double up the power poles and move from #12 to #10 cable.
Doubling up on the power poles would allow using two (#12) cables
further reducing the impedance (and voltage drop) of the desired
path.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

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Don Wilhelm

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

John and all,

You can splice a short (3 to 4 inches) length of #12 wire to the #8 or
#10 wire and it will not have negligible voltage drop due to the short
length.
Make certain you have a good tight connection at the splice point.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/11/2018 12:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> My 70amp Astron has 1/4" lugs and they seem to make a secure connection.
> Do to my longer lead length (power supply on floor) I used 8ga wire. This
> was difficult to stuff into the K3S sized PowerPole. Even with the shorter
> leads that I use on contest expeditions along with a switching power
> supply I found that I need 10ga wire to keep the voltage above 13.5 on TX.
> I think that larger PowerPoles or studs would have been nicer for those
> interested in keeping the K3S voltage in the desirable range. Double as
> Joe suggested would also work if you wanted to run two sets of wires.
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john@kk9a.com

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

This is an option, I just prefer not to splice cables more than necessary.

John KK9A

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy 7 edge, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone.

On Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 12:14 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> John and all,
>
> You can splice a short (3 to 4 inches) length of #12 wire to the #8 or #10
> wire and it will not have negligible voltage drop due to the short length.
> Make certain you have a good tight connection at the splice point.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 4/11/2018 12:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> My 70amp Astron has 1/4" lugs and they seem to make a secure connection.
>> Do to my longer lead length (power supply on floor) I used 8ga wire. This
>> was difficult to stuff into the K3S sized PowerPole. Even with the shorter
>> leads that I use on contest expeditions along with a switching power
>> supply I found that I need 10ga wire to keep the voltage above 13.5 on TX.
>> I think that larger PowerPoles or studs would have been nicer for those
>> interested in keeping the K3S voltage in the desirable range. Double as
>> Joe suggested would also work if you wanted to run two sets of wires.
>>
>

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Elecraft mailing list

PSU cable (was Astron psu..)

In reply to this post by john@kk9a.com

I have used twisted thick wires to encourage magnetic cancelling as recommended by Jim Brown. The twisting also makes the cable easier to manipulate. I used 2 cores rescued from scrap household cable.

David

G3UNA

>
> On 11 April 2018 at 17:02 "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My 70amp Astron has 1/4" lugs and they seem to make a secure connection.
> Do to my longer lead length (power supply on floor) I used 8ga wire. This
> was difficult to stuff into the K3S sized PowerPole. Even with the shorter
> leads that I use on contest expeditions along with a switching power
> supply I found that I need 10ga wire to keep the voltage above 13.5 on TX.
> I think that larger PowerPoles or studs would have been nicer for those
> interested in keeping the K3S voltage in the desirable range. Double as
> Joe suggested would also work if you wanted to run two sets of wires.
>
> John KK9A
>
> Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
> Ohms Law! If the transceiver power supply cable is short and heavy
> guage with multiple contact pins (or #10 - 1/4" bolted terminals)
> and #10 or 14" bolted terminals on the power supply, the impedance
> of the desired path in the power supply cable will be much, much
> less than the path through control cables (#16-#22 wires with
> single small pins) and any accessories.
>
> Elecraft/Astron come close with their power supply connection. I
> would appreciate it if the transceiver had bolted connections or
> at least double up the power poles and move from #12 to #10 cable.
> Doubling up on the power poles would allow using two (#12) cables
> further reducing the impedance (and voltage drop) of the desired
> path.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Bill Frantz

Re: PSU cable

I have a TGE Boost Regulator* connected to lead-acid batteries
powering my K3. The boost regulator is set for 13.7V which drops
to 13.3V during 100W CW key down. The device is connected to the
radio with about 30cm (1 ft) of #10 zip cord and PowerPoles.

I have had problems in the past with the screws working loose on
bolt attachments with some cheap Chinese equipment, so there is
no substitute for checking the voltage drop under load,
regardless of connector technology. Fortunately the internal
volt meter in the K3(S) makes a good/look for the problem test easy.

Car stereo installers may be a good source for flexible heavy
gage wire.

Also, PowerPole has some "75A" connectors which are a lot more
robust (and not plug compatible) than the 15/30/45A ones
generally seen.

73 Bill AE6JV

* Notes on the TGE Boost Regulator:

I have not noticed any RFI coming from it, but my antennas are
away from the house on our 250 foot deep lot, so household RFI
isn't as much of a factor as it would be on a smaller lot.

I got the 30A circuit breaker option, and have popped it on
occasion when running a FT8 frequency with low batteries. I now
monitor the device's temperature with my hand and go QRT for a
while when it gets too hot. Perhaps getting a device rated for
more that 20A might be a good idea.

During manufacture, they scraped all the numbers off the ICs in
the device. My opinion of this kind of behavior can not be
properly expressed in a polite forum.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | Truth and love must prevail | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | over lies and hate. | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | - Vaclav Havel | Los Gatos,
CA 95032

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Phil Kane-2

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

On 4/11/2018 9:14 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> John and all,
>
> You can splice a short (3 to 4 inches) length of #12 wire to the #8 or
> #10 wire and it will not have negligible voltage drop due to the short
> length.

Or use an APP 75A fitting with 8 AWG wire and the APP 75A-30A reducing
adapter (with or without the above-recommended pigtail) to the 30A-size
fitting on the transceiver (I do that for my K2/100). The battery and
power-supply leads to my distribution system, however, are 4 AWG with
crimped lugs and stud mounts.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Phil Kane-2

Re: PSU cable

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

On 4/11/2018 10:30 AM, Bill Frantz wrote:

> I have a TGE Boost Regulator* connected to lead-acid batteries powering
> my K3. The boost regulator is set for 13.7V which drops to 13.3V during
> 100W CW key down. The device is connected to the radio with about 30cm
> (1 ft) of #10 zip cord and PowerPoles.

I use the Boost-Regulator for my transceivers, set for 14.1V because of
the lead lengths to the load breaker panel and from there to the
connected devices. The input to the regulator is normally 13.8V from a
supposedly-regulated AC power supply and float battery arrangement.

> Car stereo installers may be a good source for flexible heavy gage wire.

That's one source. I use the local marine supply company store -
marine-grade wire is far more flexible than standard "stranded" wire or
"zip cord"..
>
> Also, PowerPole has some "75A" connectors which are a lot more robust
> (and not plug compatible) than the 15/30/45A ones generally seen.

Adapters are available.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

In reply to this post by Phil Kane-2

I just reduced the current demand by driving a KPA500 at all times :-)

Wes N7WS

On 4/11/2018 10:45 AM, Phil Kane wrote:

> On 4/11/2018 9:14 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> John and all,
>>
>> You can splice a short (3 to 4 inches) length of #12 wire to the #8 or
>> #10 wire and it will not have negligible voltage drop due to the short
>> length.
> Or use an APP 75A fitting with 8 AWG wire and the APP 75A-30A reducing
> adapter (with or without the above-recommended pigtail) to the 30A-size
> fitting on the transceiver (I do that for my K2/100). The battery and
> power-supply leads to my distribution system, however, are 4 AWG with
> crimped lugs and stud mounts.
>
> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
> Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402
>

Buck

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

In reply to this post by john@kk9a.com

The Kenwood TS590 runs about a foot of 12 ga connected to the power
supply and then the rest of the power line is double 12 ga wires to the
radio. Could you reverse that and run double wire until right before
the power pole and then a short single wire into the radio? That would
reduce the over-all resistance in the power line and still use the
single power pole jack on the radio.

My power supply is a 35A Astron and I use the stock Elecraft-supplied
power line. My voltage drops at least a half volt on key down.

Buck, k4ia
Honor Roll
8BDXCC
EasyWayHamBooks.com

On 4/11/2018 12:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> My 70amp Astron has 1/4" lugs and they seem to make a secure connection.
> Do to my longer lead length (power supply on floor) I used 8ga wire. This
> was difficult to stuff into the K3S sized PowerPole. Even with the shorter
> leads that I use on contest expeditions along with a switching power
> supply I found that I need 10ga wire to keep the voltage above 13.5 on TX.
> I think that larger PowerPoles or studs would have been nicer for those
> interested in keeping the K3S voltage in the desirable range. Double as
> Joe suggested would also work if you wanted to run two sets of wires.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
>
> Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>
> Ohms Law! If the transceiver power supply cable is short and heavy
> guage with multiple contact pins (or #10 - 1/4" bolted terminals)
> and #10 or 14" bolted terminals on the power supply, the impedance
> of the desired path in the power supply cable will be much, much
> less than the path through control cables (#16-#22 wires with
> single small pins) and any accessories.
>
> Elecraft/Astron come close with their power supply connection. I
> would appreciate it if the transceiver had bolted connections or
> at least double up the power poles and move from #12 to #10 cable.
> Doubling up on the power poles would allow using two (#12) cables
> further reducing the impedance (and voltage drop) of the desired
> path.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Astron VS-35M Powwer Supply V-

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

On 4/11/2018 9:14 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> You can splice a short (3 to 4 inches) length of #12 wire to the #8 or
> #10 wire and it will not have negligible voltage drop due to the short
> length.
> Make certain you have a good tight connection at the splice point.

Yes, lots of ways to skin this cat, depending on your needs and
resources. Several vendors sell adapters with a "big" grey Power Pole
wired with #12 pairs to four red/black connectors, and it's easy to
build your own. I find #10 to be the largest cable that I can reasonably
fit into the 45A insert, so I run twisted pairs of that.

I've seen statements that some of the Power Pole connector boxes have
undersized circuit traces on the PCB that connects them. I use them only
for accessories that draw relatively low current.

73, Jim K9YC

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