Jim, 23 to 24 amps on transmit? The manual says you should have 17 to 22. At 14v it sure sounds like you're running a lot more than 100w out.
How are you measuring the output? W5OV -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Harris Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 7:46 PM To: Elecraft Email; Gary Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Power Problem ?? Hi Folks, When doing RTTY at 100 watts a high current warning flashes in the VFO B display area and RF power is automatically cut back to about 60 watts. SWR is about 1.1:1 or there abouts; nothing approaching 1.5:1. I have found there is 0.6 volts drop in the Elecraft supplied power cable (Power Poles are soldered) and about 0.2 volt drop between my power supply and the output of the Rigrunner. It's between the power supply and the K3. Voltage at the radio drops to 13.2 vdc and current is 23-24 amps on transmit. Under that load the voltage at the power supply drops 0.01 volts. I run the power supply (it's variable) at 14.0 volts at the supply. It's a 40 amp power supply. I have a popular off shore rig that has no problem with the existing power setup. In reading the Supply/Voltage Current specifications on page eight (8) of the Owners Manual I find it recommends "When using reduced supply voltage (<12volts), power output should be reduced (e.g. 70 W at 11 V). Further, "For best results, use the supplied 5 foot (1.3 m) power cable." Those two statements appear to be in error when applied to my radio. My K3 appears to be overly sensitive to voltage and current. The only adjustment I can locate that might relate to this is the menu CONFIG:ADC REF entry. However, I seriously doubt it will have any impact on this as this appears to be a serious error and adjust appears to be for fine tuning at best. I certainly would appreciate any ones constructive input on this situation. I could appreciate knowing the gauge of the supplied cable....I'm hoping that doubling or tripling the size might help. But, that seems to be a bandaide rather that eliminating the root cause. Thank, have a good day and 73. Jim, W0EM ______________________________________________________________ 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
