[Elecraft] Which PS for K2/100, linear or switcher?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

A 35 Amp supply is *way* over-kill for a K2/100. A 20 amp supply provides
all the power you need at 100 watts with several amps to spare to run other
things. My K2/100 draws, typically 16 amps "wide open" on the bands
requiring the highest current.  

That's why Elecraft specs a 20 amp supply for the K2/100, and their
specifications are typically quite conservative. 

That 20-amp rating on the Astron is for exactly the sort of duty the K2
imposes. It's not "continuous duty" but what we used to call "Intermittent
Commercial and Amateur Service" or ICAS, and which now is simply "ICS"
(guess us Hams don't rate any more <G>). Your K2 will only require full
current -something around 16 amps, typically - when the key is actually down
in CW mode or on individual voice peaks in SSB when running 100 watts.
That's exactly what they mean by ICS even if you're on the air 24/7 with it,
and it's well within the ratings of the 20 amp Astron. 

Another decision point for me was to avoid being dependent upon ONE power
supply. I have an 11 amp supply around (which will, incidentally, run the
K2/100 at full output on most bands) and an 8-amp supply on the bench.
Plenty of backup should a supply ever need attention.

My power supplies are all linears because a 20 amp linear isn't all THAT big
or heavy for me and I didn't want to deal with another RFI-generator in the
shack. I'd probably look hard at a very well shielded switcher if I thought
I needed a single supply bigger than 20 amps. 

Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Darwin, Keith
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 5:54 AM
To: Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: [Elecraft] Which PS for K2/100, linear or switcher?


My plans to get a K2/100 continue full speed ahead.  Omni V.9 is up on e-bay
and I'm in the process of getting my ducks in a row before I pull the
trigger and commit to a particular rig (new or used is TBD).
 
But what about the PS?  Which one should I get?  Should I go with the less
costly Astron 25 amp switcher or the more traditional Astron 35 amp linear?
 
Or is there some other power supply I should be looking at?
 
- Keith -
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