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K3 ERR 12V problem

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Barry Simpson

K3 ERR 12V problem

I have an early model K3 s/n 1397 which I built and which I upgraded around
12 months ago with the new synthesizers etc.

It has the second receiver and numerous filters in both receivers.

I have never had a moment's trouble with it since the original build in
around 2009 and since the big upgrade.

However, a couple of weeks ago, I had an ERR 12V message come up in the
middle of a CQ and the rig stopped working. I simply turned it off and back
on again and it seemed to be fixed.

A little earlier today, I was calling CQ on 17m CW using the KPA 500 and
the ERR 12V occurred again.

This time I read the manual and saw that it could be related to the K3 PA
module.

I powered off the rig again and checked to find that there was some new
firmware which I duly downloaded successfully. I then performed a TX gain
calibration at 5w and 50w and that was successful.

I then did a band by band check of the maximum CW power out. All seemed
normal except for 24.9 MHz where the power out was around 130W - too high.

However, as I was testing on 50.1 MHz the dreaded ERR 12V occurred again
and after a power down and restart the same thing.

Before I enlist the help of Elecraft, can anyone point me in the right
direction to check for a short in the PA module. What should I be looking
at/for ? The rig has not emitted any smoke nor has there been any burning
smells or unusual noises.

Any pointers would be appreciated before I take the rig apart.

Thanks and 73

Barry Simpson VK2BJ
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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: K3 ERR 12V problem

Good Morning, Barry:
Sounds like a problem that raised its head quite a while back with
corrosion of the 12V pins on the KPA3 connector. I am not near my rig
and info at the moment so I can't confirm that.
73 and Happy Holidays,
Ken K3IU

On 12/17/2017 1:36 AM, Barry Simpson wrote:

> I have an early model K3 s/n 1397 which I built and which I upgraded around
> 12 months ago with the new synthesizers etc.
>
> It has the second receiver and numerous filters in both receivers.
>
> I have never had a moment's trouble with it since the original build in
> around 2009 and since the big upgrade.
>
> However, a couple of weeks ago, I had an ERR 12V message come up in the
> middle of a CQ and the rig stopped working. I simply turned it off and back
> on again and it seemed to be fixed.
>
> A little earlier today, I was calling CQ on 17m CW using the KPA 500 and
> the ERR 12V occurred again.
>
> This time I read the manual and saw that it could be related to the K3 PA
> module.
>
> I powered off the rig again and checked to find that there was some new
> firmware which I duly downloaded successfully. I then performed a TX gain
> calibration at 5w and 50w and that was successful.
>
> I then did a band by band check of the maximum CW power out. All seemed
> normal except for 24.9 MHz where the power out was around 130W - too high.
>
> However, as I was testing on 50.1 MHz the dreaded ERR 12V occurred again
> and after a power down and restart the same thing.
>
> Before I enlist the help of Elecraft, can anyone point me in the right
> direction to check for a short in the PA module. What should I be looking
> at/for ? The rig has not emitted any smoke nor has there been any burning
> smells or unusual noises.
>
> Any pointers would be appreciated before I take the rig apart.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Barry Simpson VK2BJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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Don Wilhelm

Re: K3 ERR 12V problem

In reply to this post by Barry Simpson

Barry,

Contact Elecraft support and request the Gold Pins kit.
Also obtain E560002 which is the KPA3 12V Sense Modification.

You might want to consider other updates to the K3. See the website
listing for Spare Parts and Mod Kits for the K3. Click on "Order" to
get there.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/17/2017 1:36 AM, Barry Simpson wrote:

Drew AF2Z

Re: K3 ERR 12V problem

In reply to this post by Barry Simpson

I also have an early K3, ser nr apprx 400 earlier than yours. I got the
ERR 12V fault a couple of months ago. As others have mentioned it was
the KPA pins. They were not corroded so much as discolored. I replaced
them and the two front panel connectors at the same time.

There's a good blogpost and photos of the front panel connector
replacement process at

http://wb5bkl.blogspot.com/2012/07/elecraft-k3-p30-and-p35-replacement.html

That should give you a good idea. It looks tedious with all those pins
but it goes pretty quick if you use a solder sucker. A cheap
spring-loaded one will do. Also, use an alligator clip to extract the
cut pins from the board.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 12/17/17 01:36, Barry Simpson wrote:

Barry Simpson

Re: K3 ERR 12V problem

Thank you to everyone who replied with advice on my problem.

The advice all points one way so I will have a look at the KPA power
connection pins over the holiday period and then do the necessary repair
with replacemnt pins from Elecraft as required - or just hardwire them as
per one suggestion.

I will advise the outcome when I have resolved it.

Thanks again to all.

73

Barry Simpson VK2BJ

On 17 December 2017 at 23:58, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I also have an early K3, ser nr apprx 400 earlier than yours. I got the
> ERR 12V fault a couple of months ago. As others have mentioned it was the
> KPA pins. They were not corroded so much as discolored. I replaced them
> and the two front panel connectors at the same time.
>
> There's a good blogpost and photos of the front panel connector
> replacement process at
>
> http://wb5bkl.blogspot.com/2012/07/elecraft-k3-p30-and-p35-
> replacement.html
>
> That should give you a good idea. It looks tedious with all those pins but
> it goes pretty quick if you use a solder sucker. A cheap spring-loaded one
> will do. Also, use an alligator clip to extract the cut pins from the board.
>
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>
> On 12/17/17 01:36, Barry Simpson wrote:
>
>> I have an early model K3 s/n 1397 which I built and which I upgraded
>> around
>> 12 months ago with the new synthesizers etc.
>>
>> It has the second receiver and numerous filters in both receivers.
>>
>> I have never had a moment's trouble with it since the original build in
>> around 2009 and since the big upgrade.
>>
>> However, a couple of weeks ago, I had an ERR 12V message come up in the
>> middle of a CQ and the rig stopped working. I simply turned it off and
>> back
>> on again and it seemed to be fixed.
>>
>> A little earlier today, I was calling CQ on 17m CW using the KPA 500 and
>> the ERR 12V occurred again.
>>
>> This time I read the manual and saw that it could be related to the K3 PA
>> module.
>>
>> I powered off the rig again and checked to find that there was some new
>> firmware which I duly downloaded successfully. I then performed a TX gain
>> calibration at 5w and 50w and that was successful.
>>
>> I then did a band by band check of the maximum CW power out. All seemed
>> normal except for 24.9 MHz where the power out was around 130W - too high.
>>
>> However, as I was testing on 50.1 MHz the dreaded ERR 12V occurred again
>> and after a power down and restart the same thing.
>>
>> Before I enlist the help of Elecraft, can anyone point me in the right
>> direction to check for a short in the PA module. What should I be looking
>> at/for ? The rig has not emitted any smoke nor has there been any burning
>> smells or unusual noises.
>>
>> Any pointers would be appreciated before I take the rig apart.
>>
>> Thanks and 73
>>
>> Barry Simpson VK2BJ
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>