[Elecraft] PSU cable

[Bill Frantz]

I have a TGE Boost Regulator* connected to lead-acid batteries 
powering my K3. The boost regulator is set for 13.7V which drops 
to 13.3V during 100W CW key down. The device is connected to the 
radio with about 30cm (1 ft) of #10 zip cord and PowerPoles.

I have had problems in the past with the screws working loose on 
bolt attachments with some cheap Chinese equipment, so there is 
no substitute for checking the voltage drop under load, 
regardless of connector technology. Fortunately the internal 
volt meter in the K3(S) makes a good/look for the problem test easy.

Car stereo installers may be a good source for flexible heavy 
gage wire.

Also, PowerPole has some "75A" connectors which are a lot more 
robust (and not plug compatible) than the 15/30/45A ones 
generally seen.

73 Bill AE6JV

* Notes on the TGE Boost Regulator:

I have not noticed any RFI coming from it, but my antennas are 
away from the house on our 250 foot deep lot, so household RFI 
isn't as much of a factor as it would be on a smaller lot.

I got the 30A circuit breaker option, and have popped it on 
occasion when running a FT8 frequency with low batteries. I now 
monitor the device's temperature with my hand and go QRT for a 
while when it gets too hot. Perhaps getting a device rated for 
more that 20A might be a good idea.

During manufacture, they scraped all the numbers off the ICs in 
the device. My opinion of this kind of behavior can not be 
properly expressed in a polite forum.

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