[Elecraft] K2 - High Current & Low Battery on 20m only

[Paul K]

I have K2/100 #3132 with the 160m, SSB, and DSP modules installed. I am 
also using a KAT100. I have had this set up for a couple of years. The 
power source is a battery that is being charged as I am operating. My 
antenna is a Zirpel (like a Carolina Windom). The KAT100 is able to find 
a match on all bands.

On 160m, 80m 40m, 15m, and 10m all is fine (I don't operate that much on 
30m, 17m, and 12m). However, on 20m I usually get a "High Cur" warning 
when I first operate (CW or SSB) on that band. Then it goes away. All 
seems to be operating OK. Sometimes, a bit later when operating on 20m, 
I get a "Low Batt" indicator. That too goes away and all seems to still 
be operating OK. I have a voltmeter attached to the battery and when the 
K2 gives the "Low Batt" warning, the voltmeter says 13.2 volts. I have 
not seen any of these symptoms on any other band.

I am using a home brewed battery charger that my elmer made and it keeps 
the battery at 13.6V.

The problem typically occurs when operating on 20m after I have turned 
on the rig. It rarely happens when the rig is a bit warm. So a warm rig 
and the problem usually does not occur could indicate a bad solder 
joint? I am not much of an EE so I would appreciate advice on how to 
track this one down. The Cal Cur is set to 3.7.

Thanks

73,

:) PK (Paul - K3MZ   K2 #3135  K3 #xxx)