K3 suddenly dies
Locked
12
12
 
|
Have been away from my K3(#5763)/P3 for a couple months. Hooked it back up yesterday and transmitted on a couple of bands to make sure it was working and the SWR appropriate. All was fine. Today I turned it on and was listening on the bands. I responded to a CQ on CW and caught that the SWR was high after sending two characters but immediately and without an error message the rig died. It won't turn back on. The power supply is on, the power cable is properly connected. The wx was dry yesterday and today it's blowing and raining so water may have gotten in one of the antenna traps. That would explain the high SWR but I thought the rig would shut itself down safely. It is dead. No rx or tx.
I've two K3's. My first was #1001 and this is a first for me. Any thoughts?
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Gary,
Contact [hidden email] before they go home for the weekend. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/27/2013 2:30 PM, Gary, W7TEA wrote: > Have been away from my K3(#5763)/P3 for a couple months. Hooked it back up > yesterday and transmitted on a couple of bands to make sure it was working > and the SWR appropriate. All was fine. Today I turned it on and was > listening on the bands. I responded to a CQ on CW and caught that the SWR > was high after sending two characters but immediately and without an error > message the rig died. It won't turn back on. The power supply is on, the > power cable is properly connected. The wx was dry yesterday and today it's > blowing and raining so water may have gotten in one of the antenna traps. > That would explain the high SWR but I thought the rig would shut itself down > safely. It is dead. No rx or tx. > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
Gary, "The power supply is on, the power cable is properly connected." What voltage do you measure on the power cable at the rig end? On 9/27/2013 2:30 PM, Gary, W7TEA wrote: > Have been away from my K3(#5763)/P3 for a couple months. Hooked it back up > yesterday and transmitted on a couple of bands to make sure it was working > and the SWR appropriate. All was fine. Today I turned it on and was > listening on the bands. I responded to a CQ on CW and caught that the SWR > was high after sending two characters but immediately and without an error > message the rig died. It won't turn back on. The power supply is on, the > power cable is properly connected. The wx was dry yesterday and today it's > blowing and raining so water may have gotten in one of the antenna traps. > That would explain the high SWR but I thought the rig would shut itself down > safely. It is dead. No rx or tx. > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
This is part of the problem. I'm at another QTH without any equipment so can't measure the voltage on the rig end of the power cable. Gary from Elecraft told me that if that tests OK and rig still doesn't fire up, that I will have to send it in. Taking rig home Monday and putting on a different supply and then probably requesting a RSA.
tnx, Gary W7TEA
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Gary,
Power supplies are usually fused on the output. The fuse may have blown due to the high SWR. Fuses sometimes oxidize internally, and will blow at lower than rated value. Perhaps it's period of non-use was a factor. I wish you the best test results. (Don't forget to check out that antenna first.) Dick, n0ce ----- Original Message ----- From: "W7TEA Gary" <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 9:42:43 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 suddenly dies This is part of the problem. I'm at another QTH without any equipment so can't measure the voltage on the rig end of the power cable. Gary from Elecraft told me that if that tests OK and rig still doesn't fire up, that I will have to send it in. Taking rig home Monday and putting on a different supply and then probably requesting a RSA. tnx, Gary W7TEA ----- 73, Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-suddenly-dies-tp7579305p7579313.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:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
|
|
Just checked supply. Fuse looks good and while I can't measure voltage under load, it is putting out 12v as my keyer came to life and greeted me!
Gary W7TEA.
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Good news! Brought the rig home and connected to a different RS-35A and cable and all is well!! So, it's either the power supply or cable--easy and much less expensive fixes.
Thank you all for your suggestions! Gary W7TEA
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
We all tend to think the worst at times like this. In the absence of test equipment, I'd examine the fuse(s) to see if it shows the obvious. I would sooner think that the crowbar circuit has operated. I have found that several times over the years without a fuse operating. It would look like no voltage to the radio.
Dick, n0ce ----- Original Message ----- From: "W7TEA Gary" <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 5:48:46 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 suddenly dies Good news! Brought the rig home and connected to a different RS-35A and cable and all is well!! So, it's either the power supply or cable--easy and much less expensive fixes. Thank you all for your suggestions! Gary W7TEA ----- 73, Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-suddenly-dies-tp7579305p7579349.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:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
|
|
Take a small piece of scotchbrite pad and clean the fuses and holders
if possible and use some deoxit to the fuse connector and fuses. They can build up a high resistance oxidation causing severe voltage drop. Then try the cable on the good supply. If that works then try the reworked cable with the old supply. Hopefully that is all. I have had this issue with another brand of rig and got it back up to snuff. Good luck. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "W7TEA Gary" <[hidden email] <javascript:;>> > To: [hidden email] <javascript:;> > Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 5:48:46 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 suddenly dies > > Good news! Brought the rig home and connected to a different RS-35A and > cable and all is well!! So, it's either the power supply or cable--easy and > much less expensive fixes. > > Thank you all for your suggestions! > > Gary W7TEA > > > > ----- > 73, > > Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 > > 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Gary, W7TEA
I will be at the scene of the suspect power supply the end of next week and will clean the cable and fuse as suggested. QTH is on the Long Beach WA peninsula 300m from the beach so connections certainly could use attention. Maybe it is that simple. I will take my working PS and cable to try substitutions as well.
Will post an update and again, I really appreciate the quick and helpful responses from the group.
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
This may be premature, but if you don't find trouble, it could have been that the 'crowbar' circuit on the regulator board may have operated to protect your radio from high voltage, in which case doing a power cycle on the PS will have reset it.
We had a thread relating to this one year ago. I have seen the crowbar circuit operated in several power supplies without a fuse blowing. The PS just cooked until reset. Not much of a problem if the PS is attended, but some of the power supplies were un-attended and got quite hot. I have looked into the possibility of modifying the circuit to blow a fuse when this happens, but it would be a thread of it's own. Dick, n0ce ----- Original Message ----- From: Gary, W7TEA To: [hidden email] Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 10:29 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 suddenly dies I will be at the scene of the suspect power supply the end of next week and will clean the cable and fuse as suggested. QTH is on the Long Beach WA peninsula 300m from the beach so connections certainly could use attention. Maybe it is that simple. I will take my working PS and cable to try substitutions as well. Will post an update and again, I really appreciate the quick and helpful responses from the group. ----- 73, Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-suddenly-dies-tp7579305p7579407.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:[hidden email] 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:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
|
|
Thank you Dick. I will be returning to that QTH with another power supply and cable, deoxit and sandpaper to clean connections. I did turn the offending Astron supply off and on at the switch but didn't unplug it. Would that have been enough to reset the crowbar circuit?
Gary W7TEA
On Oct 4, 2013, at 1:23 PM, Richard Fjeld [via Elecraft] <[hidden email]> wrote: This may be premature, but if you don't find trouble, it could have been that the 'crowbar' circuit on the regulator board may have operated to protect your radio from high voltage, in which case doing a power cycle on the PS will have reset it.
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Yes, that will reset the crowbar SCR. The DC must return to zero for it to reset.
I would recommend a brass brush for cleaning connections if possible, and maybe a .22 caliber brush (used for cleaning guns) for getting into some places. I'd not use anything too abrasive. (I never touch gold plated contacts.) I'd test first. I'm hoping you will find your correct voltage on the end of the power cord. But, if you are in a salt air environment, I have seen what that can cause. Let us know. ----- Original Message ----- From: Gary, W7TEA To: [hidden email] Sent: Friday, October 04, 2013 3:52 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 suddenly dies Thank you Dick. I will be returning to that QTH with another power supply and cable, deoxit and sandpaper to clean connections. I did turn the offending Astron supply off and on at the switch but didn't unplug it. Would that have been enough to reset the crowbar circuit? Gary W7TEA On Oct 4, 2013, at 1:23 PM, Richard Fjeld [via Elecraft] <[hidden email]> wrote: > This may be premature, but if you don't find trouble, it could have been that the 'crowbar' circuit on the regulator board may have operated to protect your radio from high voltage, in which case doing a power cycle on the PS will have reset it. > > We had a thread relating to this one year ago. > > I have seen the crowbar circuit operated in several power supplies without a fuse blowing. The PS just cooked until reset. Not much of a problem if the PS is attended, but some of the power supplies were un-attended and got quite hot. > > I have looked into the possibility of modifying the circuit to blow a fuse when this happens, but it would be a thread of it's own. > > Dick, n0ce > > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Gary, W7TEA
Well, I brought the RS35A (over 30 years old I think) and cable from the home QTH to start substituting. First though, I cleaned the cable ends of the offending set up and it tested at 13.8v. I plugged it into the K3 and it fired up. Then I transmitted at low power and started getting feedback in the audio channel and power output on the K3 showed that it was varying when in tune. I turned off the supply and had a bite to eat. When I returned to the shack planning on testing the voltage under power using the VFO B display on the rig, it refused to turn on as did the keyer. I checked the voltage at the PS terminals and it registered 0.8v DC. I took the fuse out, cleaned it good, checked continuity, used Deoxit and still 0.8v DC. Also confirmed that the outlet was 117v AC. Will use my old power supply tomorrow. This power supply is two years old. Guess I'll take it home and start reading up on troubleshooting but would love to hear ideas about what probably went wrong and what to test for.
tnx, Gary W7TEA
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Getting ready to spring for a P3 and SVGA option and wish to see if
anyone has such that they wish to unload first? Please state age, kit/factory wired, and price shipped to 54141. Also state method of desired payment. tnx 73 Dwight NS9I ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Rick Robinson
Well, traded out the voltage regulator IC and no joy. Then I tried Deoxit on the adjustment pot, tweaked it a bit and measured voltage at 13.8vdc! Great! Turned it off and on, tried it again, and was ready start bragging to the XYL---but it was back to .8v. Didn't see any suspect components while I had it open.
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
You did not show any of the prior information (one of the problems with
posts from Nabble), so I can only guess that you are working with a power supply problem. A situation like that is often caused by something loose in the negative side of the supply, something that is frequently overlooked. 73, Don W3FPR On 10/17/2013 1:54 AM, Gary, W7TEA wrote: > Well, traded out the voltage regulator IC and no joy. Then I tried Deoxit on > the adjustment pot, tweaked it a bit and measured voltage at 13.8vdc! > Great! Turned it off and on, tried it again, and was ready start bragging to > the XYL---but it was back to .8v. Didn't see any suspect components while I > had it open. > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
Good morning Don. The PS suddenly died on me at our beach house in Long Beach. I had no equipment there and first
assumed it was my K3. Brought the rig home to Portland and it worked fine. So, it was the supply, an Astron RS35A--couple years old. Anyway, checked the fuse, cleaned contacts etc and it was .8v at the terminals. . So, I replaced the voltage IC which I got from Mouser and used Deoxit on the the voltage adjustment pot. I have another RS35A which has run fine for over 30 years. I don't feel comfortable playing around inside a live supply but will take the cover off and do another visual inspection while unplugged. It has to be something simple I would think. thanks Don, Gary W7TEA On Oct 17, 2013, at 5:42 AM, "Don Wilhelm-4 [via Elecraft]" <[hidden email]> wrote: You did not show any of the prior information (one of the problems with
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
|
|
Sounds like you could be tripping the over voltage protection. When there is no other
fault the current limiting built into the supply folds the current back so that it does not blow the fuse. You can disconnect the wire going to the scr that is the OV clamp and see if it's ok. You can then troubleshoot the OV circuit. Mark. N2QT > On Oct 17, 2013, at 10:14 AM, "Gary, W7TEA" <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Good morning Don. The PS suddenly died on me at our beach house in Long Beach. I had no equipment there and first > assumed it was my K3. Brought the rig home to Portland and it worked fine. So, it was the supply, an Astron RS35A--couple years old. > Anyway, checked the fuse, cleaned contacts etc and it was .8v at the terminals. . So, I replaced the voltage IC which I got from > Mouser and used Deoxit on the the voltage adjustment pot. I have another RS35A which has run fine for over 30 years. > > I don't feel comfortable playing around inside a live supply but will take the cover off and do another visual inspection while unplugged. > It has to be something simple I would think. > > thanks Don, Gary W7TEA > > > > >> On Oct 17, 2013, at 5:42 AM, "Don Wilhelm-4 [via Elecraft]" <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> You did not show any of the prior information (one of the problems with >> posts from Nabble), so I can only guess that you are working with a >> power supply problem. >> A situation like that is often caused by something loose in the negative >> side of the supply, something that is frequently overlooked. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >>> On 10/17/2013 1:54 AM, Gary, W7TEA wrote: >>> Well, traded out the voltage regulator IC and no joy. Then I tried Deoxit on >>> the adjustment pot, tweaked it a bit and measured voltage at 13.8vdc! >>> Great! Turned it off and on, tried it again, and was ready start bragging to >>> the XYL---but it was back to .8v. Didn't see any suspect components while I >>> had it open. >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> >> If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below: >> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-suddenly-dies-tp7579305p7579965.html >> To unsubscribe from K3 suddenly dies, click here. >> NAML > > > > > > ----- > 73, > > Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-suddenly-dies-tp7579305p7579967.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:[hidden email] > > 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:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
|
|
In reply to this post by Gary, W7TEA
Gary,
One thing to check is the tightness of the screws for the supply output terminals. If one or both are loose, I recommend removing them completely and cleaning the contact points on the inside of the power supply. Tighten everything else up too while you are at it. You don't have to work on a live power supply - unplug it first. 73, Don W3FPR On 10/17/2013 10:14 AM, Gary, W7TEA wrote: > Good morning Don. The PS suddenly died on me at our beach house in Long Beach. I had no equipment there and first > assumed it was my K3. Brought the rig home to Portland and it worked fine. So, it was the supply, an Astron RS35A--couple years old. > Anyway, checked the fuse, cleaned contacts etc and it was .8v at the terminals. . So, I replaced the voltage IC which I got from > Mouser and used Deoxit on the the voltage adjustment pot. I have another RS35A which has run fine for over 30 years. > > I don't feel comfortable playing around inside a live supply but will take the cover off and do another visual inspection while unplugged. > It has to be something simple I would think. > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
«
Return to [K3]
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |