[Elecraft] Proper K2 power cord?

[Don Wilhelm]

Steve,

I buy the 16 guage red/black 'zip' cord from The Wireman 
(www.thewireman.com) and construct a power cable for each K2 or K1 that 
I build.  That size wire fits (snuggly) through the hole in the cover 
for the Switchcraft plug that is supplied by Elecraft.  The Elecraft 
part number for the plug is E620032.

As has been mentioned, the Radio shack plugs have a center conductor 
which comes all the way out to the end of the plug and poses a risk of 
shorting the power supply when it is in process of being plugged in or 
just laying on the bench - the plug supplied by Elecraft has a slightly 
recessed center conductor which minimizes this shorting problem.

The 16 guage wire will have significantly lower voltage drop than 
thinner wire.

73,
Don W3FPR

Steve Kallal wrote:
> I have been using a molded power cord with my recently acquired used K2. I
> am sure the wire is 20 or smaller meaning there is likely a voltage drop. I
> need to build up a power cable with larger gauge wire. Also I need to get a
> connector. Does anyone know the correct Radio Shack SKU for the connector?
> What gauge of wire should I use. This is for QRP version of the K2.