Thanks, Bert (nice call) I started out to share some info with Ian, and things got interesting at my qth.
Some of your measurements are similar to mine. Here are the details of what I found in case a person is interested: I used a piece of red/black paired wire from my Astron to my homebrew distribution. Without disconnecting it, I think it looks a size smaller than the wire to the K3. I also looked at the fuse holder (buss type) and the wire on it looks smaller as well. I'm going to replace both with heavier wire. As for my distribution, I use ground blocks for AC power panels and mount them in plastic outlet boxes. I solder the ends of my wires before I tighten the screws down on them. I am not opposed to bypassing the distribution blocks if need be. I checked all my manuals for schematics, and finally downloaded them. I printed out the first six pages. I can see that the 12V out jack is not part of the ammeter sensing, so the P3 current can be ignored when using the K3 ammeter. A couple replies said the current draw will vary by band. That is good to know. I wonder if you made your measurements on the 75/80 meter band as I did. I'm curious about your mention of the 18 amps tapering down to 14 amps thing. I need to do as you did and measure the voltage with my DVM at the PS, the distribution blocks, and the K3 terminals. >From your readings, I can tell the voltage drop is not nearly as great as it >appeared by the K3 meter. Using the K3 readings, I have 0.5 volt lower than >you on key down, and that is acceptable. I should be able to correct that. And yes, as you said, 'everything works just fine'. Thanks much, Rich, n0ce ----- Original Message ----- From: n...@aol.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 11:56 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Output Power Issue, and a new question First of all, regarding a DC power distribution "strip": I used a RigRuner 4009 and found that there was a significant voltage drop from the power source (Astron RS-35M) to the K3. Having taken measurements with a DVM, I concluded that the largest drop was from the distribution strip to the K3. A simple solution was to power the K3 from the larger "main" wire pair that fed the distribution strip. Then, to satisfy my own curiosity, I made the following meaurements today using the DVM then I took readings with the internal K3 "meter": DVM measurements: 13.773 VDC at the RS-35 terminals 13.735 VDC at K3 connector in RX mode 13.599 VDC at K3 connector in TX-Tune mode (10W out) 12.860 VDC at K3 connector in TX mode (100W out) K3 "meter" readings: 13.6 VDC in RX mode 13.1 VDC in TX-Tune mode (10W out) 12.4 VDC in TX mode (100W out) What's interesting is that the K3 "meter" current indication decreases with time when I make the test in TX mode (100W out), starting at about 18.2 Amps or so, then going down, down, down to 14.something when I let up on the hand key. I kept the key down just 15 or 20 seconds, not wanting to tempt fate!!! Power output stayed at 100W throught the procedure. Hmmmm.... I'm satisfied with those readings: everything works just fine! Bert, N4CW ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html