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Power cord for KPA500

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Ian Kahn, KM4IK

Power cord for KPA500

My father-in-law (KC4YBO) just bought a KPA500 off an estate sale. It is
currently wired for 220 VAC. He will convert it to 115 VAC for use in our
shack. Is there any reason he can't use an old computer power cord we have
lying around for the KPA500, if it will fit the amp's power block?

Thanks and 73,

--Ian

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA EM74ua
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
10-10 #74624, North Georgia Chapter #2038

PODXS 070 #1962
K3# 281, P3 #688, KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468

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w0mu

Re: Power cord for KPA500

The one that comes with the KPA500 is a very nice heavy duty cord. I
would not trust some of those super cheap computer cords. Why not
remove the 220 end and put a decent 110v plug on the cord?

Mike W0MU

On 3/7/2015 12:24 PM, Ian - Ham wrote:

> My father-in-law (KC4YBO) just bought a KPA500 off an estate sale. It is
> currently wired for 220 VAC. He will convert it to 115 VAC for use in our
> shack. Is there any reason he can't use an old computer power cord we have
> lying around for the KPA500, if it will fit the amp's power block?
>
>
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
>
>
> --Ian
>
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA EM74ua
> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> 10-10 #74624, North Georgia Chapter #2038
>
> PODXS 070 #1962
> K3# 281, P3 #688, KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> http://www.avast.com
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Jack Brindle-2

Re: Power cord for KPA500

Standard 18-gauge computer cords can get pretty hot with the KPA500. They carry a lot of current (over 10 amps at 117V), and six feet of 18-gauge has surprisingly substantial resistance.

What you really want is a heavy-duty power cord such as is used with servers. The heavy duty cords that come with the Dell servers are 14 gauge and work quite well.

- Jack B, W6FB

> On Mar 7, 2015, at 11:34 AM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The one that comes with the KPA500 is a very nice heavy duty cord. I would not trust some of those super cheap computer cords. Why not remove the 220 end and put a decent 110v plug on the cord?
>
> Mike W0MU
>
> On 3/7/2015 12:24 PM, Ian - Ham wrote:
>> My father-in-law (KC4YBO) just bought a KPA500 off an estate sale. It is
>> currently wired for 220 VAC. He will convert it to 115 VAC for use in our
>> shack. Is there any reason he can't use an old computer power cord we have
>> lying around for the KPA500, if it will fit the amp's power block?
>>
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>>
>> --Ian
>>
>> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
>> Roswell, GA EM74ua
>> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>> 10-10 #74624, North Georgia Chapter #2038
>>
>> PODXS 070 #1962
>> K3# 281, P3 #688, KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> http://www.avast.com
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> 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]
>
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alsopb

Re: Power cord for KPA500

In reply to this post by w0mu

Only question I would have is the gauge wire used in the 220 volt
cord. Is there any difference between it and the 120 V power cord?

73 de Brian/K3KO
On 3/7/2015 19:34 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:

> The one that comes with the KPA500 is a very nice heavy duty cord. I
> would not trust some of those super cheap computer cords. Why not
> remove the 220 end and put a decent 110v plug on the cord?
>
> Mike W0MU
>
> On 3/7/2015 12:24 PM, Ian - Ham wrote:
>> My father-in-law (KC4YBO) just bought a KPA500 off an estate sale. It is
>> currently wired for 220 VAC. He will convert it to 115 VAC for use
>> in our
>> shack. Is there any reason he can't use an old computer power cord
>> we have
>> lying around for the KPA500, if it will fit the amp's power block?
>>
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>>
>> --Ian
>>
>> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
>> Roswell, GA EM74ua
>> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>> 10-10 #74624, North Georgia Chapter #2038
>>
>> PODXS 070 #1962
>> K3# 281, P3 #688, KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> http://www.avast.com
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
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mcduffie

Re: Power cord for KPA500

In reply to this post by Ian Kahn, KM4IK

> Is there any reason he can't use an old computer power cord we have
> lying around for the KPA500, if it will fit the amp's power block?

Yes! A computer cord is not heavy enough, especially if you are converting to
120 from 240 configuration. Current will be DOUBLE. Just buy the cable from
E-craft and be done with it. Why skimp on a $2K amp? Don't forget also, that
the fuse configuration/block has to be changed.

Gary
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Ian Kahn, KM4IK

Re: Power cord for KPA500

In reply to this post by Ian Kahn, KM4IK

All,

Thank you for the replies. My father-in-law was able to source a 14 ga.
Server power cable locally, and will get the proper power supply fuse from
one of the many electrical supply houses here in the Atlanta area.

73 de,

--Ian

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA EM74ua
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

Please join me in the Georgia QSO Party April 11-12, 2015. Info at
http://www.georgiaqsoparty.org.
10-10 #74624, North Georgia Chapter #2038

PODXS 070 #1962
K3# 281, P3 #688, KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Power cord for KPA500

In reply to this post by w0mu

What Gage is the Power cord?

From: W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, March 7, 2015 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Power cord for KPA500

The one that comes with the KPA500 is a very nice heavy duty cord. I
would not trust some of those super cheap computer cords. Why not
remove the 220 end and put a decent 110v plug on the cord?

Mike W0MU

On 3/7/2015 12:24 PM, Ian - Ham wrote:

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