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K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

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Clay Autery-2

K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

Just what the title says.... I installed a new K144XV and Reference
Oscillator Phase Lock Option tonight.

When I hit the band switch to go up to the 2 meter band, it thru a HIGH
CURR error.

I followed the directions in both install manuals precisely (as
appropriate for a K3s as enhanced), and double checked BOTH sets of
steps after getting the error.
IF I disco the power, wait, reconnect, and then power up (provided I
switch bands out of 2 meters), the error goes away. But if I switch back
to 2 meters, it throws the error again.

I am going to go in and remove the REFLock option and try to just get
the K144XV to "work".
The status light flashes just as described in the manual for "normal
operation". (once or twice on power up, then OFF)
I've verified the supply voltage and current are "normal" 14.2 VDC at
1.47 amps (higher because the subRX was installed a couple days ago.

Any ideas as to what is causing this "issue"? I'm missing all my weekend
nets. <wink>

73,

--
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

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Clay Autery-2

Re: K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

Update...

1) Strictly speaking, removing the RefLock option board and associated
SINGLE TMP cable did not "fix" anything... Still have the "HIGH CUR" error.
2) Incidentally, IF you fire the K3s up on ANY other band (after disco
and reconnecting power to clear error) WITH the KXUSB cable connected to
the computer AND the K144XV "RS-232" port, and THEN switch from any
other band TO 2 meters, the status light flashes once as expected (ready
for firmware). BUT, the K144XV Utility will NOT connect to the K144XV.
Then, of course, if you shut the K3s down while on 2M band and remove
the KXUSB cable from its port, then power back up....

a) Powers up, status light flashes once or twice as expected.
b) the K3s shows ANT3 briefly, and then starts trying to display the
power-on banner, but is interrupted repeatedly by the HIGH CUR error....
which remains after the banner scroll completes.
c) You have to power down, and disco/reconnect the power to reset.

I pulled the left side of the case off ans inspected the IF IN and IF
out cables to verify that they are connected correctly AND still fully
plugged, and had NOT been pinched off.

I think I will try again, with the ANT 3 cable disconnected to remove
the BNC cable assembly as a possible cause.... I'm reaching here now.

_*Question:*_ Is there any chance that having the "grip" portion of ANY
of the TMP connectors making contact with the K144XV enclosure a
"problem"? The ANT3 TNP board connector is set at a slightly OFF angle,
and the TMP outer (coax shiield) might be touching the enclosure. Just
trying t figure out what is "wrong", and if it anything I have control
over...

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 01/11/20 22:01, Clay Autery wrote:

> Just what the title says.... I installed a new K144XV and Reference
> Oscillator Phase Lock Option tonight.
>
> When I hit the band switch to go up to the 2 meter band, it thru a
> HIGH CURR error.
>
> I followed the directions in both install manuals precisely (as
> appropriate for a K3s as enhanced), and double checked BOTH sets of
> steps after getting the error.
> IF I disco the power, wait, reconnect, and then power up (provided I
> switch bands out of 2 meters), the error goes away. But if I switch
> back to 2 meters, it throws the error again.
>
> I am going to go in and remove the REFLock option and try to just get
> the K144XV to "work".
> The status light flashes just as described in the manual for "normal
> operation". (once or twice on power up, then OFF)
> I've verified the supply voltage and current are "normal" 14.2 VDC at
> 1.47 amps (higher because the subRX was installed a couple days ago.
>
> Any ideas as to what is causing this "issue"? I'm missing all my
> weekend nets. <wink>
>
> 73,
>

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Clay Autery-2

Re: [Elecraft-K3] K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

In reply to this post by Clay Autery-2

OK... so NONE of that worked... So, I reinstalled everything and
checked it 3 times...

Here is something....

What should the voltage be on Pin #1 of P95 (XV12DC) be with respect to
chassis?

I am reading 13.75 VDC

Confirming what the picture APPEARS to be in the manual for the
connection of the 1-wire, 3-pin connector to the 3-pin 12V power IN on
the 2 meter module:

As you are looking at the open top of the K3s from the front, over the
front panel....

Does the connector plug in such that the 1-wire is on "Pin #3" on the 2
meter module (IAW, the pin closest to the PA shield/rear of the chassis?

I took the PCB out of the 2 meter module enclosure and inspected the
pins and traces on the PCB....

Pin #1 trace appears to be a (+) line which is bypassed to ground with a
n SMD device... believe it was stenciled as a cap (input filtering of
some sort)? (Pin #1 to Pin #3 is approx. 0.2 Ohms)

Pin #2 solders to the ground plane on the bottom of the PCB. (0.1 Ohms
or so between Pin #2 and enclosure; Open from Pin#2 to Pin #3)

Pin #3 appears to be the unfiltered (+) as it leads to a rather large
trace on the bottom of the board leading from the connector to the
interior of the board.

So the power wire from P95/Pin #1 goes eother to Pin #1 or Pin #3 on the
2 meter module 12V IN. The picture in the manual APPEARS to be Pin #3
and it follows, as the connector has Pin #1 marked and Pin #1 is
traditionally on the left side of a PC Board header.

I'm running out of ideas...

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 01/11/20 23:22, Clay Autery wrote:

>
> Update...
>
> 1) Strictly speaking, removing the RefLock option board and associated
> SINGLE TMP cable did not "fix" anything... Still have the "HIGH CUR"
> error.
> 2) Incidentally, IF you fire the K3s up on ANY other band (after disco
> and reconnecting power to clear error) WITH the KXUSB cable connected
> to the computer AND the K144XV "RS-232" port, and THEN switch from any
> other band TO 2 meters, the status light flashes once as expected
> (ready for firmware). BUT, the K144XV Utility will NOT connect to the
> K144XV. Then, of course, if you shut the K3s down while on 2M band
> and remove the KXUSB cable from its port, then power back up....
>
> a) Powers up, status light flashes once or twice as expected.
> b) the K3s shows ANT3 briefly, and then starts trying to display the
> power-on banner, but is interrupted repeatedly by the HIGH CUR
> error.... which remains after the banner scroll completes.
> c) You have to power down, and disco/reconnect the power to reset.
>
> I pulled the left side of the case off ans inspected the IF IN and IF
> out cables to verify that they are connected correctly AND still fully
> plugged, and had NOT been pinched off.
>
> I think I will try again, with the ANT 3 cable disconnected to remove
> the BNC cable assembly as a possible cause.... I'm reaching here now.
>
> _*Question:*_ Is there any chance that having the "grip" portion of
> ANY of the TMP connectors making contact with the K144XV enclosure a
> "problem"? The ANT3 TNP board connector is set at a slightly OFF
> angle, and the TMP outer (coax shiield) might be touching the
> enclosure. Just trying t figure out what is "wrong", and if it
> anything I have control over...
>
> 73,
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> (318) 518-1389
> On 01/11/20 22:01, Clay Autery wrote:
>> Just what the title says.... I installed a new K144XV and Reference
>> Oscillator Phase Lock Option tonight.
>>
>> When I hit the band switch to go up to the 2 meter band, it thru a
>> HIGH CURR error.
>>
>> I followed the directions in both install manuals precisely (as
>> appropriate for a K3s as enhanced), and double checked BOTH sets of
>> steps after getting the error.
>> IF I disco the power, wait, reconnect, and then power up (provided I
>> switch bands out of 2 meters), the error goes away. But if I switch
>> back to 2 meters, it throws the error again.
>>
>> I am going to go in and remove the REFLock option and try to just get
>> the K144XV to "work".
>> The status light flashes just as described in the manual for "normal
>> operation". (once or twice on power up, then OFF)
>> I've verified the supply voltage and current are "normal" 14.2 VDC
>> at 1.47 amps (higher because the subRX was installed a couple days ago.
>>
>> Any ideas as to what is causing this "issue"? I'm missing all my
>> weekend nets. <wink>
>>
>> 73,
>>
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Don Wilhelm

Re: [Elecraft-K3] K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

Clay,

Have you measured the voltage displayed by the K3S during transmit? A
low voltage is a common cause for Hi Curr.
Reduce the voltage drop in the power cord by running directly from the
power supply (no DC distribution boxes) and make certain all connections
are tight.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/12/2020 6:11 AM, Clay Autery wrote:

> OK... so NONE of that worked... So, I reinstalled everything and
> checked it 3 times...
>
> Here is something....
>
> What should the voltage be on Pin #1 of P95 (XV12DC) be with respect to
> chassis?
>
> I am reading 13.75 VDC
>

Clay Autery-2

Re: K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

1) I can never GET to transmit on 2 meters. It goes into "HI CUR"
within seconds after switching to the 2 meter band.
2) The receive voltage is 14.3 VDC, and about 1.49-1.51 Amps.
3) The power cord is a custom-made 8AWG, twisted-pair cable directly
lugged to an Astron VS-50M and plugged directly into the K3s. Cable is
less than 2 feet long.
4) It has been working like this for years. SubRX install went without
a hitch.
5) Radio is FULLY calibrated...

I have checked every single TMP cable, plug, et al on the interior and
exterior... Checked cables for pinching. Checked everything I can
think of at least a dozen times.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 01/12/20 08:59, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Clay,
>
> Have you measured the voltage displayed by the K3S during transmit? A
> low voltage is a common cause for Hi Curr.
> Reduce the voltage drop in the power cord by running directly from the
> power supply (no DC distribution boxes) and make certain all
> connections are tight.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 1/12/2020 6:11 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> OK... so NONE of that worked... So, I reinstalled everything and
>> checked it 3 times...
>>
>> Here is something....
>>
>> What should the voltage be on Pin #1 of P95 (XV12DC) be with respect
>> to chassis?
>>
>> I am reading 13.75 VDC
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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KeithWE6R

Re: K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

Administrator

Probably just need current firmware.
A fully loaded K3 is right on the fringe of triggering the OLD Firmware
limit of 2 amps.
New FW raises the limit if the HI CUR message.
If you are at current 5.67 FW, then check the actual current being
drawn, with the internal meter, or a good external one.
You could have an audio chip (U1 on DSP board) going bad and starting to
draw too much current (if so, catch it before it goes worse and melts
the board).
If you have a Temp gun or FLIR you could check the temp of that chip,
take the cover off, and it is at the top front of the DSP board.
Keith WE6R
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gt-i

Re: K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

In reply to this post by Clay Autery-2

Clay,
If you get this message, your GND connection may not be ok. I too had
this problem when installing the transverter on my "old" K3. Remember
the +12V will be delivered by a single wire, the GND comes from the side
plate of the K3 which *must* be sanded, which was not the case on mine.
Also, check that the XV's housing is not sitting on any other parts
further down.
hth
73 Gernot DF5RF

Am 12.01.2020 um 18:33 schrieb Clay Autery:

> 1) I can never GET to transmit on 2 meters. It goes into "HI CUR"
> within seconds after switching to the 2 meter band.
> 2) The receive voltage is 14.3 VDC, and about 1.49-1.51 Amps.
> 3) The power cord is a custom-made 8AWG, twisted-pair cable directly
> lugged to an Astron VS-50M and plugged directly into the K3s. Cable
> is less than 2 feet long.
> 4) It has been working like this for years. SubRX install went
> without a hitch.
> 5) Radio is FULLY calibrated...
>
> I have checked every single TMP cable, plug, et al on the interior and
> exterior... Checked cables for pinching. Checked everything I can
> think of at least a dozen times.
>
> 73,
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> (318) 518-1389
>
> On 01/12/20 08:59, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Clay,
>>
>> Have you measured the voltage displayed by the K3S during transmit?
>> A low voltage is a common cause for Hi Curr.
>> Reduce the voltage drop in the power cord by running directly from
>> the power supply (no DC distribution boxes) and make certain all
>> connections are tight.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 1/12/2020 6:11 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>>> OK... so NONE of that worked... So, I reinstalled everything and
>>> checked it 3 times...
>>>
>>> Here is something....
>>>
>>> What should the voltage be on Pin #1 of P95 (XV12DC) be with respect
>>> to chassis?
>>>
>>> I am reading 13.75 VDC
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
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gt-i

Re: K3s throwing a "HIGH CURR" error after installing K144XV and Reference Phase Lock Option

Just to add: My K3 draws 1.34A on 2m receive.

Am 15.01.2020 um 00:06 schrieb [hidden email]:

> Clay,
> If you get this message, your GND connection may not be ok. I too had
> this problem when installing the transverter on my "old" K3. Remember
> the +12V will be delivered by a single wire, the GND comes from the
> side plate of the K3 which *must* be sanded, which was not the case on
> mine.
> Also, check that the XV's housing is not sitting on any other parts
> further down.
> hth
> 73 Gernot DF5RF
>
>
> Am 12.01.2020 um 18:33 schrieb Clay Autery:
>> 1) I can never GET to transmit on 2 meters. It goes into "HI CUR"
>> within seconds after switching to the 2 meter band.
>> 2) The receive voltage is 14.3 VDC, and about 1.49-1.51 Amps.
>> 3) The power cord is a custom-made 8AWG, twisted-pair cable directly
>> lugged to an Astron VS-50M and plugged directly into the K3s. Cable
>> is less than 2 feet long.
>> 4) It has been working like this for years. SubRX install went
>> without a hitch.
>> 5) Radio is FULLY calibrated...
>>
>> I have checked every single TMP cable, plug, et al on the interior
>> and exterior... Checked cables for pinching. Checked everything I
>> can think of at least a dozen times.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> (318) 518-1389
>>
>> On 01/12/20 08:59, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>> Clay,
>>>
>>> Have you measured the voltage displayed by the K3S during transmit?
>>> A low voltage is a common cause for Hi Curr.
>>> Reduce the voltage drop in the power cord by running directly from
>>> the power supply (no DC distribution boxes) and make certain all
>>> connections are tight.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 1/12/2020 6:11 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>>>> OK... so NONE of that worked... So, I reinstalled everything and
>>>> checked it 3 times...
>>>>
>>>> Here is something....
>>>>
>>>> What should the voltage be on Pin #1 of P95 (XV12DC) be with
>>>> respect to chassis?
>>>>
>>>> I am reading 13.75 VDC
>>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
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>>
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>
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