[Elecraft] KPA500 Power Supply Environmental/Ergonomic Issue

[Nr4c]

Mine has been OFF for a one week vacation once in three or four years since I built it. I have a nite light that consumes more power. 

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Jan 31, 2017, at 10:45 PM, Dave AD6A <dave at ad6a.com> wrote:
> 
> I recently added a KPA500 kit for my home station. It went together just
> fine, and overall I love it.
> 
> There is one thing about the way it works that bugs the engineer and
> environmentalist in me.
> 
> 
> 
> Before I bought the PA, I thought I'd be able to turn it on/off entirely
> using the ON button on the front panel.
> 
> I thought that maybe there was a supercap or backup battery that kept the
> button's electronics alive to perform the ON button function (like TV's have
> in them).
> 
> However, it doesn't work like this. In order to turn the PA off completely,
> you have to turn off the main power switch on the rear panel.
> 
> 
> 
> The front panel ON button powers up the PA from what looks like a cold
> state, however, my measurements are as follows:
> 
> 
> 
> 1.    With the main power switch on the back panel turned OFF, the PA
> takes no power at all (0.0W)
> 2.    When you turn the main power switch on the back panel to ON, the PA
> draws 6.9W continuously from the 120V AC power supply
> 3.    When you press the front panel ON button, the PA turns "ON" and
> takes around 13W (measured) in STBY mode
> 
> 
> 
> My home station line up (K3s, P3, 2x SP3, KPA500, KAT500) sits on a large
> operating desk with a shelf unit that I build above the station. My computer
> monitors sit on the shelf above the radios.
> 
> There is only just enough height clearance (about 2.5") between the top of
> the KPA500 and the underside of the shelf to allow me to put my hand over
> the top of the PA to reach the main power switch.
> 
> It's fiddly but I can do it, it's just that it's a major inconvenience not
> being able to turn the KPA500 truly off from the front panel.
> 
> 
> 
> Why is the KPA500 designed this way?
> 
> In all good conscience, I can't live with the PA consuming 7W all day, every
> day - that's incredibly wasteful.
> 
> I suppose I could put a more-easily-reachable external AC power switch on
> the side of my shelf unit to cut power to the whole desk, but that'd be
> ugly.
> 
> I'd prefer that either a) the KPA500's main power switch was on the front
> panel, or b) the power supply system was redesigned so it only takes a few
> microwatts when power is applied but the ON button is OFF (not pressed, or
> pressed an even number of times).
> 
> 
> 
> Comments? Ideas?
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Dave AD6A
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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