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K3 Power Supply

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Thom LaCosta

K3 Power Supply

Looking for suggestions for a power supply for the K3/100

The only thing I have handy(well, if I can get them upstairs) are
some sealed lead acid batteries from motorized carts.

I have a few that are 34ah and at least one that is 55ah and one of
the chargers that autosenses battery charge level.

Seems to me this should do the job, but I've never run a 100 watt rig
on batteries, so I really don;t know.

thanks in advance for suggestions.

73,
Thom k3hrn

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Dave Martin-2

Re: K3 Power Supply

I've run my entire station on batteries, either a marine battery or
gel cells in parallel, for years. I found a noise free switching
power supply good for around four amps (and current limited) and added
a voltage adjustment to it so I could set the maximum voltage to the
battery. Its four amps was enough to power my accessories and the HF
when on receive, and the charger would catch up between transmissions,
no more active than I was. It's nice to simply walk in and turn on a
radio without having to turn on a power supply.

Dave W5DHM

On Jan 15, 2008 6:30 PM, Thom LaCosta <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Looking for suggestions for a power supply for the K3/100
>
> The only thing I have handy(well, if I can get them upstairs) are
> some sealed lead acid batteries from motorized carts.
>
> I have a few that are 34ah and at least one that is 55ah and one of
> the chargers that autosenses battery charge level.
>
> Seems to me this should do the job, but I've never run a 100 watt rig
> on batteries, so I really don;t know.
>
> thanks in advance for suggestions.
>
> 73,
> Thom k3hrn

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Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU

Re: K3 Power Supply

Administrator

In reply to this post by Thom LaCosta

Thom,
I use a Gamma HPS1a sometimes but it can't handle 120W CW sustained,
more like 80W but can do 100W SSB. I also use a Group 24 battery with a
Battery Tender (1.5A) or a 5A solar panel and controller. The solar
panel isn't doing as well in the winter. For the battery route, the A&A
charger many people like, and it is 5A. I use Tempest batteries
because there is a nearby seller and I can avoid shipping. They are
sealed and so I don't worry about hydrogen venting. Many folks like
rhe golf cart wet cells and keep them outside.
73,
Leigh/WA5ZNU

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 9:45 am, Thom LaCosta wrote:

> Looking for suggestions for a power supply for the K3/100
>
> The only thing I have handy(well, if I can get them upstairs) are some
> sealed lead acid batteries from motorized carts.
>
> I have a few that are 34ah and at least one that is 55ah and one of the
> chargers that autosenses battery charge level.
>
> Seems to me this should do the job, but I've never run a 100 watt rig
> on batteries, so I really don;t know.
>
> thanks in advance for suggestions.
>
> 73,
> Thom k3hrn
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Dick Dievendorff

RE: K3 Power Supply

In reply to this post by Thom LaCosta

A lot depends on how you plan to operate.

I have a Gamma Research HPS-1a http://www.gammaresearch.net/ that is ideal
to take with me for portable operation for CW and SSB. It handles a 100
watt transceiver on these modes fine, but would not handle RTTY at full
power or very slow CW. It's tiny and light. It's a switcher, with a 5 FARAD
output capacitor. It's quite popular and there's a bit of a waiting list
now.

Perhaps a smart battery charger for your batteries would be a good choice
for you. Try http://a-aengineering.com/QST_58.pdf
This has the advantage of emergency capability if the power is off. I
choose not to have big batteries in my house, but I'm guessing a sealed
battery would be safe enough. My K2 has an internal battery, and I'm using a
smaller version of this smart charger to keep its battery charged.

You can choose a small switching supply like one of the Samlex or Alinco or
Astron offerings. The Alinco DM-330MV has many fans.

I plan two K3s for SO2R contesting. I use an Astron 70 amp linear supply
and an 80A West Mountain Engineering power pole distribution panel and all
the 12V devices in my shack (antenna switching, SO2R controller, power
meters) connect to it via Anderson Power Pole connectors. I don't need this
much current capacity, but everything runs well under its designed
capability.

Some switching supplies are noisier than others, so if you're considering a
switcher, look over the reviews carefully. The K3 is quiet enough that
you'll hear everything. Many high-end rigs have built-in switching power
supplies. If the switcher is built for communications use it has a chance
of being reasonably quiet. But you won't keep a noisy switcher very long.
Pay the money for a good one.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thom LaCosta
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:31 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Power Supply

Looking for suggestions for a power supply for the K3/100

The only thing I have handy(well, if I can get them upstairs) are
some sealed lead acid batteries from motorized carts.

I have a few that are 34ah and at least one that is 55ah and one of
the chargers that autosenses battery charge level.

Seems to me this should do the job, but I've never run a 100 watt rig
on batteries, so I really don;t know.

thanks in advance for suggestions.

73,
Thom k3hrn

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Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy

Re: K3 Power Supply

In reply to this post by Thom LaCosta

Thom,

The power supply used here for several years with rigs of similar power
output as the K3/100 is a Diamond GSV-3000, which is a 'linear' type (large
transformer!) not switching.

Input : 230v AC 50 Hz (There is a version for your line voltage @ 60
Hz)

Output : 1 to 15V DC, adjustable using a front panel control. 30 amps
continuous at 15V, 35 amps maximum (CW/SSB)
Two auxiliary outputs rated at 6 amps.

Meters : Two - DC Voltage supplied and DC Current drawn.

Cooling : Fan, VERY quiet if you can hear it.

Physical : Colour - black. Weight - 9 kilograms.
Dimensions - 15 x 25 x 25 cms (H x W x D).

My K2/100 sits right alongside the right hand side of this supply separated
by roughly 2 inches, and the K2's VCO without the VCO mod kit is not
affected by this power supply.

The usual disclaimers apply.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD

Thom LaCosta <[hidden email]> wrote:

N5GE

Re: K3 Power Supply

In reply to this post by Dave Martin-2

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:06:58 -0500, you wrote:

>I've run my entire station on batteries, either a marine battery or
>gel cells in parallel, for years. I found a noise free switching
>power supply good for around four amps (and current limited) and added
>a voltage adjustment to it so I could set the maximum voltage to the
>battery. Its four amps was enough to power my accessories and the HF
>when on receive, and the charger would catch up between transmissions,
>no more active than I was. It's nice to simply walk in and turn on a
>radio without having to turn on a power supply.
>
>Dave W5DHM
>

I use a 100 amp linier Home-Brew supply, made by N5RV, connected to a West
Mountain PWRGate and RigRunner.

I have two Phoenix PHX-12-475 and one CD Technologies batteries in parallel
feeding the PWRGate.

The above are currently running my Orion II, Elecraft XV144 and will also run
the on order K3 when it arrives.

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

AC7AC

RE: K3 Power Supply

In reply to this post by Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy

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