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ERR 12V

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Laurent Ferracci

ERR 12V

Hi

I've got a problem with my K3 #695. Since some weeks, I randomly get
some "ERR 12V - Check circuit breaker" message from time to time.

When this error occurs, the K3 will stop transmitting, need restart,
and restart at 12W and without split.Very annoying when you've just
sent your call to the DX station in a pile up, and you hear him
replying to you. That's what happenned to me this morning, the K3 was
just switched on, so no overheat concern.

I've read this maillist and found a number of other K3 owners
that had the same problem. I've tried some of the tips that were
mentionned:
- Disconnected the lugs on the circuit breaker, cleaned the contacts,
then plugged the wires back - Problem appeared again later
- Disconnected the KPA3 from KPAIO3, KPAIO3 from motherboard, and
replugged them carefully - Problem appeared again later
- Kept the top cover off the K3 and removed its screws so that i can
move it a little (from time to time) in hope of having a better
contact with KPAIO3 - Problem appeared again later

So the problem is real and i don't know how to solve it: Help !

Thanks for your advices
--

Laurent Ferracci, F1JKJ
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Phil Salas

Re: ERR 12V

"I've got a problem with my K3 #695. Since some weeks, I randomly get
some "ERR 12V - Check circuit breaker" message from time to time.

When this error occurs, the K3 will stop transmitting, need restart,
and restart at 12W and without split.Very annoying when you've just
sent your call to the DX station in a pile up, and you hear him
replying to you. That's what happenned to me this morning, the K3 was
just switched on, so no overheat concern."

Check your power supply connections. Unplug/replug all connections and
re-tighten screws (what power supply are you using?). And make sure you are
not getting RF into the power supply (I've seen this cause a similar problem
on other radios in the past).

Phil - AD5X

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Brett Howard

Re: ERR 12V

In reply to this post by Laurent Ferracci

Check the crimp connections on the spade connections that slip onto
the circuit breaker inside the unit. When I went to check mine the
other day a simple tug on the wire pulled the wire right out of the
connector. Bought some new ones crimped them on well and I've never
had an issue since.

~Brett (N7MG)

On Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:31 AM, Laurent FERRACCI <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi
>
> I've got a problem with my K3 #695. Since some weeks, I randomly get
> some "ERR 12V - Check circuit breaker" message from time to time.
>
> When this error occurs, the K3 will stop transmitting, need restart,
> and restart at 12W and without split.Very annoying when you've just
> sent your call to the DX station in a pile up, and you hear him
> replying to you. That's what happenned to me this morning, the K3 was
> just switched on, so no overheat concern.
>
> I've read this maillist and found a number of other K3 owners
> that had the same problem. I've tried some of the tips that were
> mentionned:
> - Disconnected the lugs on the circuit breaker, cleaned the contacts,
> then plugged the wires back - Problem appeared again later
> - Disconnected the KPA3 from KPAIO3, KPAIO3 from motherboard, and
> replugged them carefully - Problem appeared again later
> - Kept the top cover off the K3 and removed its screws so that i can
> move it a little (from time to time) in hope of having a better
> contact with KPAIO3 - Problem appeared again later
>
> So the problem is real and i don't know how to solve it: Help !
>
> Thanks for your advices
> --
>
> Laurent Ferracci, F1JKJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Laurent Ferracci

Re: ERR 12V

Thanks to all for your replies about the ERR 12V problem.

It seems that is well known by Elecraft. It's related to the wear/corrosion
of the connectors on the KPAIO3, which is a little board used to connect the
KPA3 to the K3 motherboard.

It seems that early K3's used some "tinned" connectors and sometimes show
this problem. Later K3's have golden connectors and resist better to the
high currents.

The solution is to replace the connectors (or the whole KPAIO3). In the mean
time, it's possible to create a direct path for high current using good old
wire (i'll do that asap).

Thanks again to all and to Gary from Elecraft support.

73

--

Laurent F1JKJ

2011/3/11 Brett Howard <[hidden email]>

> Check the crimp connections on the spade connections that slip onto
> the circuit breaker inside the unit. When I went to check mine the
> other day a simple tug on the wire pulled the wire right out of the
> connector. Bought some new ones crimped them on well and I've never
> had an issue since.
>
> ~Brett (N7MG)
>
> On Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:31 AM, Laurent FERRACCI <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > I've got a problem with my K3 #695. Since some weeks, I randomly get
> > some "ERR 12V - Check circuit breaker" message from time to time.
> >
> > When this error occurs, the K3 will stop transmitting, need restart,
> > and restart at 12W and without split.Very annoying when you've just
> > sent your call to the DX station in a pile up, and you hear him
> > replying to you. That's what happenned to me this morning, the K3 was
> > just switched on, so no overheat concern.
> >
> > I've read this maillist and found a number of other K3 owners
> > that had the same problem. I've tried some of the tips that were
> > mentionned:
> > - Disconnected the lugs on the circuit breaker, cleaned the contacts,
> > then plugged the wires back - Problem appeared again later
> > - Disconnected the KPA3 from KPAIO3, KPAIO3 from motherboard, and
> > replugged them carefully - Problem appeared again later
> > - Kept the top cover off the K3 and removed its screws so that i can
> > move it a little (from time to time) in hope of having a better
> > contact with KPAIO3 - Problem appeared again later
> >
> > So the problem is real and i don't know how to solve it: Help !
> >
> > Thanks for your advices
> > --
> >
> > Laurent Ferracci, F1JKJ
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>