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KX3 power supply "brick"

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

KX3 power supply "brick"

Has anyone tried a 12v "brick" like most laptops use for their KX3?

Comments one way or another??

Thanks -- Lynn
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David Christ

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

I have run across some at lower voltages. Look around. I have checked some to make sure they didn’t rise too high under no load and for RFI. A number seem pretty good. These were all older ones.

David K0LUM

On Feb 10, 2015, at 2:34 PM, Walter Underwood <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Most laptop bricks are 16V or higher, too much voltage for the KX3.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>
> On Feb 10, 2015, at 12:26 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone tried a 12v "brick" like most laptops use for their KX3?
>>
>> Comments one way or another??
>>
>> Thanks -- Lynn
>> ______________________________________________________________
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David Ahrendts

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Lynn, I have used and was very happy with the PAE-Kx33 https://proaudioeng.com/products/pae-kx33-ac-power-supply/ <https://proaudioeng.com/products/pae-kx33-ac-power-supply/>
However, I acquired a few more Elecraft devices (PX3, KAT500, W2, and a relay for a larger amp), so I consolidated all of the 12VDC devices using a Power Werx 30 amp (more than enough) power supply http://www.powerwerx.com/power-supplies/ <http://www.powerwerx.com/power-supplies/>
with Anderson Power Poles and the red/black zip line. Very neat. It was Elecraft’s recommendation to use a single amp rather than several smaller bricks. They use Power Werx in the field. Appears the single DC amp is the quietest and cleanest.

David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA

> On Feb 10, 2015, at 12:26 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Has anyone tried a 12v "brick" like most laptops use for their KX3?
>
> Comments one way or another??
>
> Thanks -- Lynn
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 Ahrendts [hidden email]

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

I just looked at four bricks floating around my office, and two of them
are 12v. The other two are 18v and 19v.

The smallest one I have is 2a, which would probably charge the internal
KX3 batteries. The bigger one might be okay for transmitting.

That's why I specified "12v brick" in my post. There are many different
bricks out there.

73 -- Lynn

On 2/10/2015 12:34 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> Most laptop bricks are 16V or higher, too much voltage for the KX3.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>
>

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Fred Townsend-2

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Lynn:
Probably a bad idea. The so called computer bricks are designed as charge
pumps to drive another power converter. As such they are not necessarily
clean or well regulated.

73, Fred, AE6QL

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lynn
W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 12:26 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 power supply "brick"

Has anyone tried a 12v "brick" like most laptops use for their KX3?

Comments one way or another??

Thanks -- Lynn
______________________________________________________________
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David Ahrendts

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

I’m not an expert on this, but from what I’ve observed is that some of these DC bricks can be very noisy.

> On Feb 10, 2015, at 12:57 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I just looked at four bricks floating around my office, and two of them are 12v. The other two are 18v and 19v.
>
> The smallest one I have is 2a, which would probably charge the internal KX3 batteries. The bigger one might be okay for transmitting.
>
> That's why I specified "12v brick" in my post. There are many different bricks out there.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
> On 2/10/2015 12:34 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> Most laptop bricks are 16V or higher, too much voltage for the KX3.
>>
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Lynn,

You really should use 13.8 volts or higher if you can. It will result
in a cleaner signal (lower IMD).
If you are using a supply with less than that voltage, it is wise to
back down on the power a bit.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/10/2015 3:57 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> I just looked at four bricks floating around my office, and two of
> them are 12v. The other two are 18v and 19v.
>
> The smallest one I have is 2a, which would probably charge the
> internal KX3 batteries. The bigger one might be okay for transmitting.
>
> That's why I specified "12v brick" in my post. There are many
> different bricks out there.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>

Bill Wilkins

Re: KX3 power supply "brick"

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

I used 11 5000 mah NIMH's, 13.2v. Then used a Pepsi plastic bottle for a shrink wrap. But then I had a charger capable of charging the NIMH's.
Make sure the laptop bat is 12v and not something bigger with a regulator inside the LT. Usually the charging is done by the LT I believe. If it is a lithium battery you will need a special charger capable of lithium's.
73, Bill, WD8JWJ