[Elecraft] New KX3 Owner: Power Supply Question

[Don Wilhelm]

Jeff,

Are you measuring 15 volts at the output of your panel regulator at the 
same time you are reading something lower on the KX3?  I am wondering if 
you have something not quite tight enough.
Check the connections on the power source to be certain they are all 
tight and have low resistance.
It would be handy if you could measure the voltage right at the power 
plug (with the plug installed and the KX3 turned on) - if your power 
plug is molded, that will be difficult, but if your plug has a screw-off 
cover, unscrew it and measure right at the plug.

If you can verify that you really have 15 volts right at the KX3 input, 
then perhaps an email to KX3support at elecraft.com is in order, they may 
have some other ideas.

73,
Donn W3FPR

On 3/29/2014 11:16 AM, Thorpe, Jeffrey wrote:
> I guess my big question is why doesn't the KX3 show the voltage come back up to 15V until after some period of time? My multimeter shows the panel is putting it out, and I'm also not transmitting. As far as I can tell, it's not doing anything different than when I've just turned the radio on. I'm just wondering if this is 'normal' or if the radio has a problem.
> I certainly don't expect to get more than the 5W, let alone 10-12, with the panel. The panel is for backpacking, and is considerably smaller and lighter than a battery.
>
> Jeff -KG7HDZ
>
>
>> On Mar 29, 2014, at 5:19 AM, "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> When you measure the output of the regulator with your DMM, you are drawing very little current.
>> However, the KX3 draws current from the regulator which results in a lower voltage.
>>
>> Also the solar panel needs to be oriented toward the sun on a clear day to develop its full rated output, if it is at some other angle to the sun or the time is other than mid-day, you will have less output.
>> You may want to try using the solar panel to charge an external battery such as a Sealed Lead Acid type rather than trying to power the KX3 directly from the solar panel.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
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