[Elecraft] HI CUR and 160 Meters

[John Huffman]

Don -

Yup, looks like a power supply issue.

K2 Meter    V      I
Receive   13.7   0.34
12 watts  12.6   2.78
13 watts  11.8   4.38
14+ watts 11.3   5.10

Making up a heftier cord to the power supply should do the trick.

Many thanks!

73 de K1ESE
John


Don Wilhelm wrote:
> John,
> 
> How much power is actually being produced?  What does the K2 meter indicate
> in TUNE?
> What is your power supply voltage under this 4.5 amp load?  If the voltage
> drops significantly, the current will go up - the K2 tries to provide the
> requested power out, and if the voltage drops, the current must increase.
> 
> If you can eliminate power supply voltage drop problems, then you could have
> some sort of oscillation present.  The K2 is quite stable if all the
> components are correct.  You could start by checking T1, T2 and T4
> (especially T4).  The only other thing that I can think of right now are the
> components in the base circuit of Q7 and Q8, but I cannot relate to a jump
> in current draw if those components were at fault.
> 
> Check th evoltage on the base of Q7 and Q8 when transmitting - it should be
> 0.6 volts or very close.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> While waiting for parts to fix my KPA100 and KAT100, I was checking out
>> my K160RX.
>>
>> The situation is that at 12W out the K2 (KSB2, KNB2, KDSP2, K106RX,
>> KIO2) draws 2.5 amps.  With power set at anything above that, it exceeds
>> 4.5 amps and I get a Hi CUR warning (limit set at 4.5 amps).
>>
>> Current is a bit higher than expected on 80 meters at 3.2 amps max
>> output.  Other bands 2.9 - 2.9 amps.
>>
>> I wonder what would cause the jump?
>>
>> 73 de K1ESE
>> John
>>
> 
>