[Elecraft] [K2] KPA100/KAT100 Control Section Current

[Brian - N5BCN]

My current setup is a K2 with a remote KPA100/KAT100 in an EC2 enclosure.

The K2 is powered by a KBT2 that is connected to a smart charger.  The
KPA100/KAT100 is powered by an external power supply.

I've noticed that the current drain as indicated by the K2's internal meter
increases 80 mA just by plugging in the KPA100/KAT100 control cable into the
K2's KIO2.  I see the increase in current regardless if the KPA100/KAT100 is
off or on (I can also hear a relay latch by plugging in the cable).  I'm
assuming this extra current is somehow related to the KPA100 and/or KAT100's
control section?

This has thrown a minor curve ball into my setup.  My goal was to operate
QRP by simply turning off the external power supply to the KPA100/KAT100,
but the K2 still provides some 80 mA of current to the external unit even
when it's off, which I'm sure will have a measurable impact on the battery
run time.

Any suggestions besides just unplugging the control cable between the K2 and
KPA100/KAT100 every time I want to go QRP?

73

Brian N5BCN

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K2 #6800 KPA100/KAT100-2, KSB2, KAT2, KIO2, K160RX, KNB2, KAF2, LP-PAN/K2 w/ Pre-amp, SignaLink USB
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