[Elecraft] questions

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Phil K2ASP wrote:

I have plenty of capacity (45 A supply, Group 31 battery) but my
  12V distribution panel has two BlueSeas breakers (UL/USCG rated)
  available - one at 30A and one at 15A.

  In your not-so-humble opinion, which would be better for hooking up
  the K2/100 directly?  I really don't want to tear apart the distribution
  panel to put in a 20A breaker if I can avoid it.  I would be running
  the rig for SSB, data, and a little CW (call me Philistine!!) but
  rarely at full power.

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I'd use the 30 A circuit but leave the in-line 20A fuse Elecraft provides in
the power cable to the K2/100. It'll let go ONLY in the event of a serious
short (I've not lost one yet in several years of running the KPA100) and
provides direct protection to both your power panel and the rig.

Depending upon how sensitive that 15 A breaker is, you might get away with
using the 15 Amp circuit. Breakers, like everything else, have tolerances
and you may find that one will handle as much as 20 A just fine, especially
intermittently such as you running the K2/100 in CW or SSB modes. Of course,
you'll not draw anything near the peak on data. You need to significantly
de-rate the amp for continuous-carrier modes. That will drop the current
drain considerably. 

OTOH, that breaker may show a maddening tendency to decide it's had enough
and open at exactly the wrong moment. That's why I'd use the fuse and
connect to the higher-current circuit breaker. 


Ron AC7AC