K1 KBT1 option question

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K1 KBT1 option question

Michael Babineau
Can the KBT1 option be easily removed and the
original K1 top cover and speaker re-installed?
I would like to be able to easily switch back and forth.

I did have a KBT1 a while back but sold it without
installing it and I seem to recall the the battery pack was
to be hard-wired in.

Perhaps the addition of a small molex connector
or something like that would allow for easy removal?

Has anyone done this or something similar?

Michael VE3WMB

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Re: K1 KBT1 option question

Mike Morrow-3
Michael Babineau asked:

>Can the KBT1 option be easily removed and the
>original K1 top cover and speaker re-installed?

Not as supplied by Elecraft.  As you stated, the connections are hard-wired to the RF PCB.

You can use an in-line connector, and many have, but:
1.  It must be polarized in some manner.  There's no reverse polarity protection of the K1 if you get the connection backwards.
2.  If the added connector going to the RF-PCB has exposed pins, care will have to be exercised to avoid pin contact to other components when the KBT1 is removed and the connector is floating around in the K1 case.
3.  If the added connector going to the KBT1 has exposed pins, care will have to be exercised to avoid shorting the batteries when the KBT1 is being stored outside the K1.

The KBT1 would be far, far more useful if:
1.  A fixed, polarized two-pin male connector were mounted *on* the K1 RF-PCB (similar to the speaker connector.)
2.  A cable with the two-pin female matching connector were attached to the KBT1.

This way, there will be no dangling connector in the K1 to short out when the KBT1 is removed, and the connections going to the battery would not be exposed to shorts when the KBT1 is removed from the K1.

I'd also like to see the KBT1's reverse current blocking diode mounted *on* the RF-PCB.  That way, if somehow the connector got inadvertently reversed when installing the KBT1 assembly, the K1 would be protected from reverse polarity damage.

There's enough room on the K1 RF-PCB to easily accomodate these improvements in a future PCB revision.  These changes would make removal/replacement of the KBT1 a one-minute evolution.

I had the KBT1 installed for more than a year before deciding to remove it permanently.  I did this because:
1.  I don't like having a potential corrosive chemical leak source (AA-cells) within the K1 case.
2.  I didn't find it all that convenient to re-charge the cells.  
3.  I like the larger original K1 speaker much better than the KBT1 speaker.  (The K1 just sounds and looks better with the larger original speaker.)
4.  I like using a higher supply voltage than 8 AA-cells provide.  (I like an external 10-AA-cell pack.)

73,
Mike / KK5F
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Re: K1 KBT1 option question

Tony Wells
In reply to this post by Michael Babineau
Hi Michael,

<snip> Perhaps the addition of a small molex connector or something like
that would allow for easy removal?<snip>

I did just that with my K1. I found a small racing car type battery
connector plug & socket and wired that in.

Regards

Tony
G7IGG

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Re: K1 KBT1 option question

Sandy W5TVW
In reply to this post by Michael Babineau
My K1 originally had the KBT1.
I fitted a small two pin Molex plug/socket to the cable on the battery box to
allow it to be removed easily.  Ultimately, I went back to the standard
cover, as the loudspeaker in the battery box cover didn't have enough
"oomph", and the batteries were a royal pain in the arse to remove charge and
reinstall.  It was the only addition to the K1 I didn't like very
much.
73,
Sandy W5TVW
K1 #1178
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Babineau" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 11:48 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K1 KBT1 option question


| Can the KBT1 option be easily removed and the
| original K1 top cover and speaker re-installed?
| I would like to be able to easily switch back and forth.
|
| I did have a KBT1 a while back but sold it without
| installing it and I seem to recall the the battery pack was
| to be hard-wired in.
|
| Perhaps the addition of a small molex connector
| or something like that would allow for easy removal?
|
| Has anyone done this or something similar?
|
| Michael VE3WMB
|
| _______________________________________________
| Elecraft mailing list
| Post to: [hidden email]
| You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
| Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
|  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
|
| Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
| Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
|
|
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Re: K1 KBT1 option question

Sandy W5TVW
In reply to this post by Tony Wells
Speaking of K1 battery packs.....Checkout the 2 battery 12 volt SLA
battery pack and carrying case at Sportsman's Guide.  It's $41.95 and really
nice!  4.5 A/H with 120 vac charger and patch cable to charge it
via you auto cigarette lighter/accessory outlet!
73,
Sandy W5TVW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Wells" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; "Michael Babineau" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1 KBT1 option question


| Hi Michael,
|
| <snip> Perhaps the addition of a small molex connector or something like
| that would allow for easy removal?<snip>
|
| I did just that with my K1. I found a small racing car type battery
| connector plug & socket and wired that in.
|
| Regards
|
| Tony
| G7IGG
|
| _______________________________________________
| Elecraft mailing list
| Post to: [hidden email]
| You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
| Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
|  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
|
| Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
| Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
|
|
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Re: K1 KBT1 option question

Sandy W5TVW
Whoops!  The price should read $14.95!!!!  My error in typing!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sandy" <[hidden email]>
To: "Tony Wells" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>; "Michael
Babineau" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 2:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1 KBT1 option question


| Speaking of K1 battery packs.....Checkout the 2 battery 12 volt SLA
| battery pack and carrying case at Sportsman's Guide.  It's $41.95 and really
| nice!  4.5 A/H with 120 vac charger and patch cable to charge it
| via you auto cigarette lighter/accessory outlet!
| 73,
| Sandy W5TVW
| ----- Original Message -----
| From: "Tony Wells" <[hidden email]>
| To: <[hidden email]>; "Michael Babineau" <[hidden email]>
| Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 1:47 PM
| Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1 KBT1 option question
|
|
| | Hi Michael,
| |
| | <snip> Perhaps the addition of a small molex connector or something like
| | that would allow for easy removal?<snip>
| |
| | I did just that with my K1. I found a small racing car type battery
| | connector plug & socket and wired that in.
| |
| | Regards
| |
| | Tony
| | G7IGG
| |
| | _______________________________________________
| | Elecraft mailing list
| | Post to: [hidden email]
| | You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
| | Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
| |  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
| |
| | Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
| | Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
| |
| |
| _______________________________________________
| Elecraft mailing list
| Post to: [hidden email]
| You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
| Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
|  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
|
| Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
| Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
|
|

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