[Elecraft] K2 power jack

[David A. Belsley]

Fred:
  Your problem, as you are no doubt aware, is almost certainly due to a 
power cord or power feeder system with too high resistance.  Recall that 3 
amps (a reasonable K2 current draw under tx) will drop 1.5 volts through 
only 1/2 ohms.  To minimize this, you should use as large guage power cord 
as possible: at least 14 guage, and preferably 12.  The K2 plug itself is 
not a problem; the problem is connecting large gauge wire to it.  The 
solution is simply to use very short pig-tails, say 18 guage, only 1" long 
to connect between the plug and your heavier wire.  Shrink wrap will help 
to add some structural strength to the join between the siffer, thick wire 
and the thinner.  If you need junction boxes, build them with banana 
jacks/plugs to accommodate the larger guage wire or use Anderson plugs, 
like those used with the KPA100.

best wishes,

dave belsley, w1euy

--On Sunday, February 23, 2003 10:37 AM -0700 Indy <kt5x@cnsp.com> wrote:

> Battery to K2, key down, I find significant voltage drop, sometimes as
> much as 1.5 volts after going through a junction box.  Note there is
> essentially no voltage drop until current is being drawn.  At least part
> of the problem I think is the K2 power jack.  It is very difficult to
> make a power cable with HEAVY wire that will go on the tiny plug for that
> jack.
>
> Has anyone worked with this problem?  Found a plug that will take heavy
> battery wire or perhaps replaced or paralleled the jack???
>
> 72.
>
> Fred
> kt5x
> K2 # 700
>
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----------------------------------
David A. Belsley
Professor of Economics