[Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?

[Jon Poland]

I disagree with Rick.  It is true that modern houses have more electric
capacity.  But as homeowners shift to more efficient appliances and
lighting, electric loads (and bills) are consistently dropping.  The one
trend that counters that though is that modern homes (at least in the US)
are consistently larger than their older counterparts and require more
energy to keep comfortable.  That trend does not explain voltage drops
though.

My 12 year old house has 200 amp service.  I don't know why.  But since
building it, we have shifted to 90+% LED lighting, high efficiency
dishwasher, fridge, and clothes washer.  My entire lighting load at any
given time is less than 120W.  A smart thermostat reduces AC and furnace
loads.  The 2 largest electrical loads are the clothes dryer and gas
furnace blower.  This house is also better insulated than any home I have
ever owned - also reducing the furnace load (gas and electricity).

Curiously, the next largest load in many homes are the TV's turned on in
every bedroom... (But their heat reduces the amount of time the furnace
needs to run.)

Of course, if you have an electric car charger the picture changes
drastically...  But that is still a small percentage of US homes today.

jon  N0WL

On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 11:10 AM Rick Bates, NK7I <rick.nk7i at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Too high at THEIR location.
>
> Power company feeds, vary (not a lot but their load changes, they adjust).
>
> House wiring varies and other devices on that circuit can cause other
> variations too.  Older homes (1950's and older) often have less capacity
> than newer homes (didn't need it then).  Today we use a LOT more energy
> than then; some house circuits are no longer 'adequate' (causing fires
> in some cases because folks abuse the wiring in ignorance).
>
> Part of station set up and operations, is knowing what the circuit(s) of
> the house wiring, is connected to besides the station.  Fridge, washer,
> HVAC, electric oven shared with the station?
>
> If you need one more tap to get within the right voltage window, use one
> more tap to achieve that.  If you change circuits, remeasure.  And if on
> the same circuit, maybe don't run the washing machine or oven at the
> same time as the amp. ;-)
>
> 73,
> Rick nk7i
>
>
> On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote:
> > Gordon -
> >
> > I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service,
> they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high.
> >
> > My readings now agree with yours.
> >
> > 73
> > Lyn, WØLEN
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net  [mailto:
> elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick NK7I
> > Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 1:03 PM
> > To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
> >
> > I'd move it up one tap as long as it does NOT EXCEED 85V at receive.
> >
> > Higher voltage not only gives you better output but also cleaner.  That
> > matters too.
> >
> > 73,
> > Rick nk7i
> >
> >
> > On 11/12/2022 10:25 AM, Gordon LaPoint wrote:
> >> My KPA500 is showing 57-58 VDC at 450-500 watts out, and 71-72 VDC on
> rx.
> >>
> >> Is this normal or should I move up one tap?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Gordon - N1MGO
> >>
> >>
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