[Elecraft] K2 Powerpole stuck

[Don Wilhelm]

Bob,

I suspect that one of the APP connectors either was not assembled 
correctly or the contact blade is bent - I refuse to speculate on how 
that might have happened without looking at it, but in any case, I 
suspect the contact blades of the two connectors are interlocked in a 
manner they were not intended to be.

If it works, leave it alone for now unless you have a stock of APP 
connectors.  If you do not have the APP connectors, obtain 2 sets 
(hopefully you only will need one set, but 'just in case'). Operate 
'as-is' until you have those parts in hand.

Then having the spare APP connectors, separate the 2 connectors by any 
means possible - in other words grasp the external one with pliers and 
pull harder until it comes apart.  You do not care if you damage the 
housings in the process because you have replacements.

Once they are apart, check the contact blades in the ones mounted in the 
KPA100 as well as the ones on the power cable.  The contact blades 
should be locked over the spring fingers in the housing (you should not 
be able to see the spring fingers).  There is a good cutaway diagram of 
the correct insertion of the contact blades on page 37 of the XV 
transverter assembly manual and on page 38 are some good photos showing 
right and wrong insertion of the contact blades.
If you have to replace the housings or the contact blades, you have the 
'spare' parts to do the job.

If you need to replace the fancy contact blades in the KPA100 itself, 
you may use the #14 AWG wire (or British close equivalent) and mount 
them like the ones for the XV transverters - or you could order the 
special contact blades.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/23/2016 10:26 AM, Bob G3PJT wrote:
> Hi
> Just plugged the power lead powerpole into the back of my K2/100 and 
> now I cant get it out!
> It feels like a very solid lock in.
> Any ideas or is this a write off - I could crunch the connectors but 
> that seems like a last but hopefully not the only resort.
> And more importantly why has this happened?
>