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Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

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Ralph Parker

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

I had this problem after #1823 came back from PJ6A. Luckily, it didn't
happen while we were there, although another K3 did show this error. Tnx
goodness we had a spare (mine).

I bought a set of gold pins (they were not offered for free), but elected
to use the 'bypass surgery' method, suggested as an alternative, as I was
afraid of damaging the PC boards during the removal/replacement of the pins.

The bypass was easy to do, and I have not had the 'problem' since.
A few of my K3 friends have had the problem too, and I have, since my
episode, recommended the bypass solution. Cheap, easy, works.

Ralph, VE7XF

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Buck - k4ia

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

Don't tease us like that. ;-) What is the "bypass surgery" method? I
don't remember seeing it.

Buck
k4ia

On 2/14/2012 2:41 PM, Ralph Parker wrote:

> I had this problem after #1823 came back from PJ6A. Luckily, it didn't
> happen while we were there, although another K3 did show this error. Tnx
> goodness we had a spare (mine).
>
> I bought a set of gold pins (they were not offered for free), but elected
> to use the 'bypass surgery' method, suggested as an alternative, as I was
> afraid of damaging the PC boards during the removal/replacement of the pins.
>
> The bypass was easy to do, and I have not had the 'problem' since.
> A few of my K3 friends have had the problem too, and I have, since my
> episode, recommended the bypass solution. Cheap, easy, works.
>
> Ralph, VE7XF
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

Buck,

The "bypass surgery" is a method of soldering wires around the KPA3
connectors that carry high current 12 volts. I have seen the pictures
and words in the past, but I cannot locate them right now.
You would do better to change the connectors. I know the "bypass
surgery" has been used as an emergency measure to get a K3 working while
on a DXpedition.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/14/2012 4:25 PM, Buck - k4ia wrote:
> Don't tease us like that. ;-) What is the "bypass surgery" method? I
> don't remember seeing it.
>
>
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Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

I haven't had a chance to look at the schematics yet, but have been
wondering .... is it feasible to feed 12v to the KPA3 directly from
the breaker? Or is that 12v feed used for other things on the RF board
and/or riser board? Thinking that a fixed jumper from the RF board to
the KPA3 would prevent easy removal of the KPA3 module, unless some
intermediate "quick-disconnect" was employed... but if power could be
taken straight off the breaker, the quick-disconnect is already
there....

~iain / N6ML

On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 2:14 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Buck,
>
> The "bypass surgery" is a method of soldering wires around the KPA3
> connectors that carry high current 12 volts. I have seen the pictures
> and words in the past, but I cannot locate them right now.
> You would do better to change the connectors. I know the "bypass
> surgery" has been used as an emergency measure to get a K3 working while
> on a DXpedition.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/14/2012 4:25 PM, Buck - k4ia wrote:
>> Don't tease us like that. ;-) What is the "bypass surgery" method? I
>> don't remember seeing it.
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Jim Noe

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Ralph Parker

Cccccvv. (vvvv

Sent from my HTC smartphone

-----Original Message-----
From: Buck - k4ia <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 1:26 PM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

Don't tease us like that. ;-) What is the "bypass surgery" method? I
don't remember seeing it.

Buck
k4ia

On 2/14/2012 2:41 PM, Ralph Parker wrote:

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KeithWE6R

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

Administrator

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

If you make TWO jumpers, one on the PA end and one on the main board
end, then the current sensor on the riser board will still be in play.
This is a fine permanent fix, you just will have to unsolder if you take
the PA and riser out.
Keith
I have pictures, but I think they will be stripped.

On 2/14/2012 2:14 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

It is not common to remove the KPA3, so I would not mind de-soldering
one end of the wire(s).
If you want to provide high current disconnects, an Anderson PowerPole
connector would be ideal - you don't need both the black and the red
because it is just a couple of single wires. If you want the
disconnects, I would buy 2 APP sets - pair the 2 red connectors and pair
the two black connectors - connect red to red and black to black -- I
hope that made sense to everyone, but that is how I would do it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/14/2012 5:23 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML wrote:

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Older K3/100s and the "ERR12V" problem

In reply to this post by Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

> I haven't had a chance to look at the schematics yet, but have been
> wondering .... is it feasible to feed 12v to the KPA3 directly from
> the breaker?

The breaker is electrically located on the KPA3 *after* the problematic
headers. Unfortunately, the PA current sensor is located on the KPAIO3
instead of the KPA3 or it would be possible to unsolder the breaker
lead closest to the back panel and relocate it to RFC6 on the K3 RF
board.

My own s/n 1450 will be going back to the factory for new headers as
it has developed the "ERR 12V" problem. The tin pins on the RF board
are burned and the female socket on the KPAIO3 has been melted! The
K3 has never been outside the shack and not exposed to high humidity
or salt air.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2/14/2012 5:23 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML wrote:

> I haven't had a chance to look at the schematics yet, but have been
> wondering .... is it feasible to feed 12v to the KPA3 directly from
> the breaker? Or is that 12v feed used for other things on the RF board
> and/or riser board? Thinking that a fixed jumper from the RF board to
> the KPA3 would prevent easy removal of the KPA3 module, unless some
> intermediate "quick-disconnect" was employed... but if power could be
> taken straight off the breaker, the quick-disconnect is already
> there....
>
> ~iain / N6ML
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 2:14 PM, Don Wilhelm<[hidden email]> wrote:
>> Buck,
>>
>> The "bypass surgery" is a method of soldering wires around the KPA3
>> connectors that carry high current 12 volts. I have seen the pictures
>> and words in the past, but I cannot locate them right now.
>> You would do better to change the connectors. I know the "bypass
>> surgery" has been used as an emergency measure to get a K3 working while
>> on a DXpedition.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 2/14/2012 4:25 PM, Buck - k4ia wrote:
>>> Don't tease us like that. ;-) What is the "bypass surgery" method? I
>>> don't remember seeing it.
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>