[Elecraft] K3 power consumption

[wayne burdick]

Hi Bill,

If the sub receiver is installed but turned off, the K3's current 
consumption in receive mode should be around 1 to 1.2 amps depending on 
other installed options, supply voltage, etc. At 5 watts in transmit 
mode, current drain will be around 3 to 4 amps.

A 15-watt solar panel would just keep up with RX current during the 
day. That may be adequate, but only if your battery has enough reserve 
to get you through planned night-time operation.

The K3 will run down to as low as about 10 V without any stability 
issues, but I'd suggest swapping batteries at more like 11 V.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 15, 2009, at 2:15 PM, aa1o wrote:

> Hi Wayne,
> I would like to use my K3 for Field Day again this year. I have 
> installed the sub receiver and am concerned about my power budget. I 
> use a 15 watt solar panel to charge a battery and find that the K3 is 
> now drawing over an amp on receive. Is there any simple way to disable 
> or turn off the sub receiver? I am only going to use CW and 5watts 
> output.
> 73, Bill AA1O
> K3 287
> K2 1740
>  

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