Phil K2ASP wrote: I have plenty of capacity (45 A supply, Group 31 battery) but my 12V distribution panel has two BlueSeas breakers (UL/USCG rated) available - one at 30A and one at 15A.
In your not-so-humble opinion, which would be better for hooking up the K2/100 directly? I really don't want to tear apart the distribution panel to put in a 20A breaker if I can avoid it. I would be running the rig for SSB, data, and a little CW (call me Philistine!!) but rarely at full power. ---------------------------- I'd use the 30 A circuit but leave the in-line 20A fuse Elecraft provides in the power cable to the K2/100. It'll let go ONLY in the event of a serious short (I've not lost one yet in several years of running the KPA100) and provides direct protection to both your power panel and the rig. Depending upon how sensitive that 15 A breaker is, you might get away with using the 15 Amp circuit. Breakers, like everything else, have tolerances and you may find that one will handle as much as 20 A just fine, especially intermittently such as you running the K2/100 in CW or SSB modes. Of course, you'll not draw anything near the peak on data. You need to significantly de-rate the amp for continuous-carrier modes. That will drop the current drain considerably. OTOH, that breaker may show a maddening tendency to decide it's had enough and open at exactly the wrong moment. That's why I'd use the fuse and connect to the higher-current circuit breaker. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
