[Elecraft] K2 KPA100 and battery
Hi all, Well I'm reconsidering and thinking again of adding the KPA100 to my K2 (the contest this weekend has changed my mind a bit hi hi). My question is, do I need a regulated 13.8V PSU to do the tests and alignment or can a 12V battery be used? I have a huge deep-cycle 12V that I use with my rigs (enough to power them for a long time) but of course being a battery it's not regulated and exhibits some voltage drop when a load is put on it. Looking at the build manual it sounds like they kind of want you to use a regulated PSU (i.e. for the bias adjustment, etc). I'd like to avoid having to spend the extra to get a PSU that I don't really need. But then again if I do need one... Tnx es 73, LS -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K2-KPA100-and-battery-tp4612613p4612613.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 KPA100 and battery
LS, The battery will do fine if it has sufficient capacity. In fact, you can connect a small power supply to the battery to keep it charged and operate that way forever if you want. A fully charged lead acid battery should normally produce 13.8 volts with the charger connected. FUSE THE WIRES NEAR THE BATTERY FOR SAFETY - batteries have a lot of energy, and can produce flying bits of molten metal if a short occurs. I would highly recommend a fully sealed battery (SLA or AGM) if it is physically in the shack, most deep cycle or automotive batteries do not qualify for the sealed requirement, and they will outgas hydrogen which can explode and must be housed in a well ventilated area. 73, Don W3FPR lstavenhagen wrote: Hi all, Well I'm reconsidering and thinking again of adding the KPA100 to my K2 (the contest this weekend has changed my mind a bit hi hi). My question is, do I need a regulated 13.8V PSU to do the tests and alignment or can a 12V battery be used? I have a huge deep-cycle 12V that I use with my rigs (enough to power them for a long time) but of course being a battery it's not regulated and exhibits some voltage drop when a load is put on it. Looking at the build manual it sounds like they kind of want you to use a regulated PSU (i.e. for the bias adjustment, etc). I'd like to avoid having to spend the extra to get a PSU that I don't really need. But then again if I do need one... __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 KPA100 and battery
Ok, thanks Don... It's an Optima yellow-top deep cycle battery (I believe it's an AGM type). I've used my 706MKIIG on it at full power and it just laughs. It'll run a 100W rig for hours and hours. Didn't think about putting the small PSU on it, tho, thanks for the tip! 73, LS W5QD -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K2-KPA100-and-battery-tp4612613p4613353.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
