Lee: Please see answers inline. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Lee Buller Sent: Friday, March 09, 2012 6:38 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Power Cord Questions
I am rebuilding the power cord from my RM35M to the K3. Questions..... 1. Do you need fuses to be in both the positive and negative lead? Or, since I am a "fixed" station, can I get away with one fuse in the positive lead? Currently, I have both leads fused. There are arguments that support fusing the ground lead but I do not buy them. The national electrical code says never to fuse a ground. While are rigs are not covered by the NEC I still do not see a reason to fuse ground. 2. What length should the power cord be....considering that there will be some power consumption (voltage drop) in the line which is longer than shorter? My current length is over 6 feet. Shorter is obviously better but the K3 will compensate for voltage drop. I cut mine to fit with a little extra for service. 3. Should the fuse(s) be mounted at the radio or at the power supply? Currently, mine are right at the power supply. Assuming some disaster will befall your cable, fuses should be at the power supply. Having said that, I put mine where they are accessible and cool. Cool because the ambient temperature will affect the current they blow at. It is a good idea to put a clamp-on choke around the power leads. Again with a good antenna system you don't need the choke but it help the RF out of the shack when things are less than optimal. They are cheap and easy to install so why not. Fred, AE6QL. The reason why I am rebuilding the power cord is that I am getting somewhat of a voltage drop on key down. According to the K3, the voltage is at 13.8 but goes to 11 volts at key down at 100 watts....around 21 to 22 amps. So, I suspect something might a tad glitchy in the power cord. Maybe I just need to reinstall the Anderson Power Poles. Comments? Lee - K0WA In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. - John W. (Kansas) Never interfere with anything that isn't bothering you. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
