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Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" problem

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wayne burdick

Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" problem

Administrator

Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to the
KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin
plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,
especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an
"ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going
into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In
some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off
and back on.

The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which
have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins involved.
I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since
sometime in 2009.

If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in
high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you
should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge
on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").

If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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WE5ST

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" problem

Wayne,
Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started shipping K3's
with gold contacts; date or S/N?

Thanks!
Jack - WE5ST

________________________________
From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Tue, February 14, 2012 9:53:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V"
problem

Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to the
KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin
plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,
especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an
"ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going
into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In
some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off
and back on.

The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which
have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins involved.
I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since
sometime in 2009.

If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in
high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you
should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge
on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").

If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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Jack - WE5ST

wayne burdick

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" problem

Administrator

I'll look into the date.

tnx
Wayne

> On Feb 14, 2012, at 8:20 AM, Jack Berry wrote:
>
>> Wayne,
>> Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started
>> shipping K3's with gold contacts; date or S/N?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Jack - WE5ST
>

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Adriano Perazio

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by WE5ST

Mine is s/n 4795 and showed this problem last week. After turn off it
disapeared. So must be it.

PY2ADR

-----Mensagem Original-----
From: Jack Berry
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 2:20 PM
To: Wayne Burdick ; Elecraft Reflector
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible
"ERR12V" problem

Wayne,
Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started shipping K3's
with gold contacts; date or S/N?

Thanks!
Jack - WE5ST

________________________________
From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Tue, February 14, 2012 9:53:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V"
problem

Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to the
KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin
plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,
especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an
"ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going
into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In
some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off
and back on.

The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which
have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins involved.
I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since
sometime in 2009.

If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in
high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you
should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge
on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").

If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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Nr4c

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

That's odd, as yours is newer than mine, and I'm pretty sure mine has
gold plated pins on all connectors. And, my K3 was delivered Aug3,
2010. Well after the 2009 date.

...bill nr4c

On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:37:36 -0200, Adriano Perazio wrote:

> Mine is s/n 4795 and showed this problem last week. After turn off it
> disapeared. So must be it.
>
> PY2ADR
>
> -----Mensagem Original-----
> From: Jack Berry
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 2:20 PM
> To: Wayne Burdick ; Elecraft Reflector
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid
> possible
> "ERR12V" problem
>
> Wayne,
> Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started
> shipping K3's
> with gold contacts; date or S/N?
>
> Thanks!
> Jack - WE5ST
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]>
> To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Sent: Tue, February 14, 2012 9:53:28 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible
> "ERR 12V"
> problem
>
> Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to
> the
> KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin
> plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,
> especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an
> "ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going
> into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In
> some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off
> and back on.
>
> The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which
> have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins
> involved.
> I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since
> sometime in 2009.
>
> If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in
> high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you
> should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge
> on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").
>
> If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR

>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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wayne burdick

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem [more info]

Administrator

The change was implemented around May of 2009, meaning radios with
serial numbers in the low 3000's.

If you have a K3/100 more recent than this and you're seeing ERR 12 V,
check the Faston terminals on the circuit breaker (they are crimped,
and could be soldered or replaced). Also verify that the KPA3 is fully
plugged into the KPAIO3, and that the KPAIO3 is fully plugged into the
RF board.

If it's not either of these, please contact K3 support.

Wayne
N6KR

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Stewart@twinwood

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Nr4c

I had a look inside my K3 today. Although it is an early one, S/N 307
it has a new RF board with gold pins.However, these mate with the KPA103
Interface Module which has sockets that are tinned.

I thought that there was a danger that over a period of time the tin would
migrate onto the gold surface and cause oxide issues.

Shouldn't it be gold to gold, and tin to tin ?

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:41:16 -0500, nr4c wrote:

> That's odd, as yours is newer than mine, and I'm pretty sure mine has
> gold plated pins on all connectors. And, my K3 was delivered Aug3,
> 2010. Well after the 2009 date.
>
> ...bill nr4c
>
>
> On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:37:36 -0200, Adriano Perazio wrote:
>> Mine is s/n 4795 and showed this problem last week. After turn off it
>> disapeared. So must be it.
>>
>> PY2ADR
>>
>> -----Mensagem Original-----
>> From: Jack Berry
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 2:20 PM
>> To: Wayne Burdick ; Elecraft Reflector
>> Cc: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid
>> possible
>> "ERR12V" problem
>>
>> Wayne,
>> Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started
>> shipping K3's
>> with gold contacts; date or S/N?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Jack - WE5ST
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]>
>> To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
>> Cc: [hidden email]
>> Sent: Tue, February 14, 2012 9:53:28 AM
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible
>> "ERR 12V"
>> problem
>>
>> Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to
>> the
>> KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin
>> plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,
>> especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an
>> "ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going
>> into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In
>> some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off
>> and back on.
>>
>> The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which
>> have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins
>> involved.
>> I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since
>> sometime in 2009.
>>
>> If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in
>> high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you
>> should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge
>> on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").
>>
>> If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

wayne burdick

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

Administrator

Both the production change and the field modification result in gold-
to-gold contacts throughout the 12 V circuit to the PA.

Wayne
N6KR

On Feb 14, 2012, at 9:12 AM, Stewart wrote:

> I had a look inside my K3 today. Although it is an early one, S/N 307
> it has a new RF board with gold pins.However, these mate with the
> KPA103
> Interface Module which has sockets that are tinned.
>
> I thought that there was a danger that over a period of time the tin
> would
> migrate onto the gold surface and cause oxide issues.
>
> Shouldn't it be gold to gold, and tin to tin ?

Adriano Perazio

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Nr4c

I´m not pretty sure but mine was Oct. 2010 but the problem was exactly the
same except for the msg error. I didn´t see any but i tried to put more than
12w but no way.
I went into the menu to check if the PA was enable and yes. After shut down
it was normal agn.
As i stopped radio after that for the Hamcation visit, i don´t know what
will happens next.

PY2ADR

-----Mensagem Original-----
From: nr4c
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 2:41 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible
"ERR12V" problem

That's odd, as yours is newer than mine, and I'm pretty sure mine has
gold plated pins on all connectors. And, my K3 was delivered Aug3,
2010. Well after the 2009 date.

...bill nr4c

On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:37:36 -0200, Adriano Perazio wrote:

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Stewart@twinwood

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Thanks Wayne,
Does the field modification also include changing pins on the KPA3
PCB, as mine are tin plated ?

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:21:31 -0800, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Both the production change and the field modification result in gold-
> to-gold contacts throughout the 12 V circuit to the PA.
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> On Feb 14, 2012, at 9:12 AM, Stewart wrote:
>
>> I had a look inside my K3 today. Although it is an early one, S/N 307
>> it has a new RF board with gold pins.However, these mate with the
>> KPA103
>> Interface Module which has sockets that are tinned.
>>
>> I thought that there was a danger that over a period of time the tin
>> would
>> migrate onto the gold surface and cause oxide issues.
>>
>> Shouldn't it be gold to gold, and tin to tin ?

wayne burdick

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

Administrator

I'm pretty sure, but check with k3support when you order the mod kit.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Feb 14, 2012, at 9:35 AM, Stewart wrote:

> Thanks Wayne,
> Does the field modification also include changing pins on the KPA3
> PCB, as mine are tin plated ?
>
> 73
> Stewart G3RXQ
> On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:21:31 -0800, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Both the production change and the field modification result in gold-
>> to-gold contacts throughout the 12 V circuit to the PA.
>>
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>> On Feb 14, 2012, at 9:12 AM, Stewart wrote:
>>
>>> I had a look inside my K3 today. Although it is an early one, S/N
>>> 307
>>> it has a new RF board with gold pins.However, these mate with the
>>> KPA103
>>> Interface Module which has sockets that are tinned.
>>>
>>> I thought that there was a danger that over a period of time the tin
>>> would
>>> migrate onto the gold surface and cause oxide issues.
>>>
>>> Shouldn't it be gold to gold, and tin to tin ?

Cady, Fred

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible"ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Adriano Perazio

The mod may not solve everything. At C6ATA last november, one of the K3s which had the Elecraft installed pin changes failed again. KB7Q ended up jumpering around the pins to get back on the air for the contest. I don't know if the pins were gold to gold or what but it was the classic ERR12V warning.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Adriano Perazio
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:32 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible"ERR12V" problem

I´m not pretty sure but mine was Oct. 2010 but the problem was exactly the same except for the msg error. I didn´t see any but i tried to put more than 12w but no way.
I went into the menu to check if the PA was enable and yes. After shut down it was normal agn.
As i stopped radio after that for the Hamcation visit, i don´t know what will happens next.

PY2ADR

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wayne burdick

Re: Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR12V" problem

Administrator

I was unaware of this, but I'll check with support to see what they
did about it. The station may have been running extremely high duty
cycle in worst-case temperature/climate conditions. We need to handle
this, of course. (Nothing like extended field testing to get the
engineering team excited.)

I know of one case where salt water was literally splashing on the
gear through an open window. Given the equatorial temperatures, the
fans were on high, pushing the water inside the vent holes. No defense
against that. I'm surprised we didn't find barnacles on it once it
came to the Elecraft dry dock.

Wayne
N6KR

On Feb 14, 2012, at 11:41 AM, Cady, Fred wrote:

> The mod may not solve everything.....
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