Re: power issues

[George Thornton]

I did some checking today on my voltage to the K3 using two different routes.

I am using an Astron RS-35m power supply.  It was tuned up to output slightly under 14v.  Normally it mediates through a PG40s backup and switching device, connected to three 140AH backup batteries as well as the power supply.

When I connect the K3 power through the PG40S distribution panel I read 13.3 volts at the K3.  This drops significantly when I transmit, going down to under 12 volts.

I then direct-wired the K3 lead to the Astron using ten gauge wire and a relatively short lead.  Power at the K3 then reads 13.8 and drops only to 13.7 during transmit.

Since I had failures attributed to erratic power supply, my conclusion is the K3 should only be run via a short, large gauge lead direct to a power supply in good order.


______________________________________________________________
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]

[Richard Fjeld-2]

I find where the voltage drop is much like checking the drop across a
resistor in circuit.  ie. use a volt-meter across each end of the
segment under test. (The volt-meter is parallel to the segment being
tested)   It may be just a poor connection, or not.

Dick, n0ce


On 2/4/2017 6:17 PM, George Thornton wrote:

> I did some checking today on my voltage to the K3 using two different routes.
>
> I am using an Astron RS-35m power supply.  It was tuned up to output slightly under 14v.  Normally it mediates through a PG40s backup and switching device, connected to three 140AH backup batteries as well as the power supply.
>
> When I connect the K3 power through the PG40S distribution panel I read 13.3 volts at the K3.  This drops significantly when I transmit, going down to under 12 volts.
>
> I then direct-wired the K3 lead to the Astron using ten gauge wire and a relatively short lead.  Power at the K3 then reads 13.8 and drops only to 13.7 during transmit.
>
> Since I had failures attributed to erratic power supply, my conclusion is the K3 should only be run via a short, large gauge lead direct to a power supply in good order.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

[Elecraft mailing list]

The rule of thumb is to over design the system.  I have nearly the same system with a few differences.  I don't use a distribution panel,  rather my 2x 140 AHr batteries and the solar panel are netted at the
K3 with a 5 Farad cap 12" from the K3.  I monitor the voltage at the connector of the K3 and only see a .1-.2 volt drop from resting to key down.  So YES make all leads HEAVY and short.
Mel, K6KBE


      From: George Thornton <[hidden email]>
 To: Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]>; 'Bob Jonas' <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
 Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2017 4:17 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] power issues
   
I did some checking today on my voltage to the K3 using two different routes.

I am using an Astron RS-35m power supply.  It was tuned up to output slightly under 14v.  Normally it mediates through a PG40s backup and switching device, connected to three 140AH backup batteries as well as the power supply.

When I connect the K3 power through the PG40S distribution panel I read 13.3 volts at the K3.  This drops significantly when I transmit, going down to under 12 volts.

I then direct-wired the K3 lead to the Astron using ten gauge wire and a relatively short lead.  Power at the K3 then reads 13.8 and drops only to 13.7 during transmit.

Since I had failures attributed to erratic power supply, my conclusion is the K3 should only be run via a short, large gauge lead direct to a power supply in good order.


______________________________________________________________
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]