[Elecraft] HI Current

[Ken]

Mike,

It’s not “voltage starved.”   I just went through and documented everything.  Voltage measured by the K3 never gets below 13.1 volts.  The problem is ONLY on 20m where “high current” displays at 65 watts.  And indeed it is comparatively high current, 23.5 amps.   On the other bands I can run 100w without the current getting that high.  

ALL TESTS DONE WITH A DUMMY LOAD  (or a live antenna and the internal antenna tuner or an external antenna tuner.)

I wonder if the other people experiencing the high current message are seeing it on other bands, or only 20m.

Ken WA8JXM


> On Dec 15, 2014, at 12:20 PM, Mike Harris <mike.harris at horizon.co.fk> wrote:
> 
> It isn't, however, the load on the PA is band selective depending upon the antenna match and this can effect the current.  12.1v is forcing the PA to draw more current to deliver the power requested.  Any particular reason you are running voltage starved?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Mike VP8NO
> 
> On 15/12/2014 14:03, Ken wrote:
>> In my case, the K3’s internal volt meter is indicating 12.1v, well above the minimum specs.   I am pretty sure this only happens on 20m, never on other bands.  I wouldn’t think supply voltage would be band selective.   I’m using the power cable that came with the K3.
>> 
>> Ken WA8JXM
>> 
>> 
>>> On Dec 15, 2014, at 11:11 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Matt is entirely correct.  The first thing to investigate in the event of a Hi Current message is the voltage (as indicated by the K3) level during transmit.
>>> 
>>> The way Elecraft transceivers control power, a low voltage means that higher current must be obtained to maintain the requested power output level.
>>> 
>>> Common causes are loose connections at the power supply, improperly assembled Anderson PowerPole connectors, and either long power supply cables or too small a wire gauge resulting in significant voltage drop when current is drawn.
>>> 
>>> This applies not only to the K3, but also to the KXPA100 and the K2/100.
>>> 
>>> 73,