Elecraft

Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

Classic

List

Threaded

8 messages Options

Gary Memory

Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

Anybody know, or have experience using an Elecraft PA (a 500 watt in my
case) with a generator supplying AC power (a Honda 2 KW in my case)? I’ve
not done it yet. Wanted to check to see if anyone else has prior experience
before I end up blowing the final, or some such. The Honda flavor I have
is the inverter style....and they have been known to put out a crappy
“signal” at 60 Hz on occasion, not to mention fluctuations due to differing
load at different moments.

Thx

Gary, N7BRJ
______________________________________________________________
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: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

On 4/10/2021 3:01 PM, Gary Memory wrote:
> Anybody know, or have experience using an Elecraft PA (a 500 watt in my
> case) with a generator supplying AC power (a Honda 2 KW in my case)?

We've done that a LOT (at least 6 years) with two KPA500s on Honday
2000i generators for CQP and 7QP expeditions. Two can run on a single
Honda, but with some voltage sag between the gen and the unregulated PSU
in the KPA500. You have to set the "right" tap in the KPA500's primary
(low, med, high) that hits the "just right" HV so that the KPA doesn't
protect because it's too high key up and too low key down. With two KPAs
on a single 2000i, both can be running CW at the same time at about
300W. Maybe both full power if one CW, one SSB.

W6GJB's contesting trailer is set up for two K3/P3/SVGA/KPA500/KAT500
stations, which we mostly run on CW. Several years ago, he bought the
paralleling kit, so we run two in parallel, both in economode, running
our entire station.

A single 2000i will run an entire single-TX station in economode.

Glen (GJB) has done propane conversions for his 2000i, and recently for
my new 2200i. There's a company that sells the kit. Much safer and more
convenient than gasoline.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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]

NK7Z

Re: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

Was that the Hutch Mountain conversion Jim?

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 4/10/21 4:43 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 4/10/2021 3:01 PM, Gary Memory wrote:
>> Anybody know, or have experience using an Elecraft PA (a 500 watt in my
>> case) with a generator supplying AC power (a Honda 2 KW in my case)?
>
> We've done that a LOT (at least 6 years) with two KPA500s on Honday
> 2000i generators for CQP and 7QP expeditions. Two can run on a single
> Honda, but with some voltage sag between the gen and the unregulated PSU
> in the KPA500. You have to set the "right" tap in the KPA500's primary
> (low, med, high) that hits the "just right" HV so that the KPA doesn't
> protect because it's too high key up and too low key down. With two KPAs
> on a single 2000i, both can be running CW at the same time at about
> 300W. Maybe both full power if one CW, one SSB.
>
> W6GJB's contesting trailer is set up for two K3/P3/SVGA/KPA500/KAT500
> stations, which we mostly run on CW. Several years ago, he bought the
> paralleling kit, so we run two in parallel, both in economode, running
> our entire station.
>
> A single 2000i will run an entire single-TX station in economode.
>
> Glen (GJB) has done propane conversions for his 2000i, and recently for
> my new 2200i. There's a company that sells the kit. Much safer and more
> convenient than gasoline.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

______________________________________________________________
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: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

On 4/10/2021 5:55 PM, Dave Cole wrote:
> Was that the Hutch Mountain conversion Jim?

Yes. And Glen said they were great to deal with, including answering
questions. Thanks for prodding my aging memory cells.

73, Jim

______________________________________________________________
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]

NK7Z

Re: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

Thanks for sharing!! I have been thinking about adding that to my 2000i.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 4/10/21 6:23 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 4/10/2021 5:55 PM, Dave Cole wrote:
>> Was that the Hutch Mountain conversion Jim?
>
> Yes. And Glen said they were great to deal with, including answering
> questions. Thanks for prodding my aging memory cells.
>
> 73, Jim
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Dave Johnson

Re: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

In reply to this post by Gary Memory

I asked the same question on eHam yesterday.

Currently I have a Yamaha EF2800i (lightweight “frame” inverter generator,
29Kg dry), it will power a transceiver and a KPA500 easily, although if
using CW at 400W o/p it runs smoother if economy mode is turned off. It is
fine on eco mode with SSB.

The generator dates from 2006 and has been flawless, however, I fancy a
lighter and quieter unit. The 2KVA suitcase types look good, but appear to
only have enough fuel for around 4 hours, the EF2800i runs well over 8
hours without a refill.

Maybe I should visit a gym and strengthen my back!

73 Dave G4AON
--
Sent from my iPhone SE
______________________________________________________________
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]

David Olean

Re: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

I have the big Yamaha inverter generator, an EF6300i. it makes fantastic
electricity and runs any electronic devices with no problems. I do turn
off economy mode if I am only running radio gear. The inverters are much
better than open frame 3600 rpm " box store" units. They have a much
better waveform. When I first got the genset, we had a power failure and
I was running the house on the inverter. For grins, I fired up my HB
4CX1000A 10 meter amplifier with 1100 watts out, and made some CW and
SSB contacts. Then I went into the house and asked the XYL if she
noticed any problems with the electricity such as flickering lights etc.
She saw no problems at all. The only problem with inverters is RFI. You
have to suppress the output with ferrites.

Dave K1WHS

On 4/11/2021 7:46 AM, Dave wrote:

> I asked the same question on eHam yesterday.
>
> Currently I have a Yamaha EF2800i (lightweight “frame” inverter generator,
> 29Kg dry), it will power a transceiver and a KPA500 easily, although if
> using CW at 400W o/p it runs smoother if economy mode is turned off. It is
> fine on eco mode with SSB.
>
> The generator dates from 2006 and has been flawless, however, I fancy a
> lighter and quieter unit. The 2KVA suitcase types look good, but appear to
> only have enough fuel for around 4 hours, the EF2800i runs well over 8
> hours without a refill.
>
> Maybe I should visit a gym and strengthen my back!
>
> 73 Dave G4AON

Stephen Shearer

Re: Elecraft PA via Generator Power?

In reply to this post by Dave Johnson

Yes, BUT For the 2KW Honda, how long do you want it to run???
SEE "long Run Kits"
https://www.amazon.com/Bergs-System-HND1-2000IS-Single-Tank/dp/B07K385YGX/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=honda+generator+extended+run+kit&qid=1618178399&sr=8-2

You can also find the parts to make the kit and modify a "cheap" plastic
gas can...

73, Steve WB3LGC

On 4/11/21 7:46 AM, Dave wrote:

> I asked the same question on eHam yesterday.
>
> Currently I have a Yamaha EF2800i (lightweight “frame” inverter generator,
> 29Kg dry), it will power a transceiver and a KPA500 easily, although if
> using CW at 400W o/p it runs smoother if economy mode is turned off. It is
> fine on eco mode with SSB.
>
> The generator dates from 2006 and has been flawless, however, I fancy a
> lighter and quieter unit.*The 2KVA suitcase types look good, but appear to only have enough
> fuel for around 4 hours,* the EF2800i runs well over 8
> hours without a refill.
>
> Maybe I should visit a gym and strengthen my back!
>
> 73 Dave G4AON