[Elecraft] New Output Power Issue

[Don Wilhelm]

Ian,

So your K3 is operating a bit more efficiently than average - what is to 
be worried about, be glad.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/10/2013 10:23 PM, Ian Kahn - Ham wrote:
> So, several weeks after originally starting this thread, I finally had 
> time this evening to sit down and take some voltage and current 
> measurements.  I used my Astron SS-30 power supply connected to the 
> 40A DC-in port on my Rigrunner.  I then ran the Elecraft power cord 
> from a 25A port on the Rigrunner into the 12V DC-in on the back of the 
> K3. Everything measures 13.8V in standy/rx, all the way to the reading 
> on the K3 display, with the K3 showing .82A current draw in rxv. I 
> would measure the power at the 12V in port on the K3, but can't see a 
> way to get the probes into the powerpole connectors without damaging 
> anything.  I ran my tests using FSK-D at 100W and into a known-good 
> 300W dummy load,  so I could get 100% duty cycle for a few seconds 
> with each transmit. When I go to transmit, voltage on every band looks 
> good, with the voltage dropping from 13.8V to anywhere from 12.1 to 
> 12.4 volts. I'm concerned about some of the current readings, 
> however.  80 meters shows a current draw of 15.80A; 17 meters shows a 
> draw of 16.35A; 15 meters shows a draw of 16.40A; 10 meters shows a 
> draw of 12.93A.  12m, 20m, 30m, 40m, and 160m are all within the 
> 17-22A current draw rating for the K3.  The RF output meter on the K3 
> shows 100w out on every band, but I haven't put the rig on an external 
> watt meter.  Since these are all below the nominal current draw given 
> in the K3 owner's manual (17-22A), is there something I should look at 
> recalibrating?  Or could something more serious be going here that I 
> need to be concerned about?  Or, am I worried about nothing? Further 
> guidance is greatly appreciated.
>