[Elecraft] [K3] power switch problem
David Ferrington, M0XDF
M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk
Tue Aug 5 14:43:47 EDT 2008
David, thank you for that, from other mails, it looks very much like
the KIO3 board - removing it solves the proble, putting it back in and
the problem comes back.
Lyle has suggested just cleaning it might help, but I'd prefer to get
a replacement board since I think the problem would return at some
point.
Of my friends, I think only the adult would have been aware of the
problem and I'll let him know the outcome. I in no way blamed them. I
originally considered it might have been some odd combination of use,
but after investigations, clearly not. As you say, purely
coincidence, perhaps brought on by field conditions and made worse by
not being present when the fault first appeared.
--
By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you
get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. -Socrates
On 5 Aug 2008, at 19:01, David Yarnes wrote:
> David,
>
> Your problem sounds EXACTLY like the one I had with my K3 (#96). I
> went through the same sequence of events as you seem to be
> experiencing. Initially, the K3 started turning back on by itself;
> then later it wouldn't turn off at all, and had to be unplugged from
> power to turn it off completely. When it wouldn't turn off, the LCD
> remained dimly lit, but no audio, etc. Removing power and then
> plugging power back in again effectively recycled the radio, but the
> "power button" was not used at all. For a time the K3 would suddenly
> return to normal operation with the power switch functioning
> correctly, but this happened only a few times, and didn't last for
> very many cycles. Other than the problem of powering the radio on
> and off, the radio worked just fine. All of this sounds like what
> you are also experiencing. Gary Surrency at Elecraft had me check
> various voltages, etc., but nothing turned up the problem. They
> even sent me a new front panel to install, but that wasn't the
> problem either. Ultimately I had to return the K3 to Elecraft, as
> they felt it was probably something on the main board that would
> have to be serviced. The repair itself was performed by Rene in
> Aptos. He determined that there was a problem with a "leaky"
> component, on the I/O board I believe.
>
> In any event, Elecraft is aware of this issue, and can readily solve
> it. Hopefully they can do it now without you having to return the
> radio, which would be more of a problem for you since you are in the
> U.K. I suggest you contact either Gary or Rene at Elecraft
> support. You might mention to them that we have corresponded, and
> that your problem seems identical to the one I experienced. In your
> case they may just send you a new I/O board, assuming I am correct
> that it was where my problem existed. There apparently have been a
> couple of other similar cases that may not have involved the I/O
> board, but still had the same symptoms. Changing the front panel
> apparently solved at least one problem that I am aware of. If it is
> the I/O board or front panel, you probably wouldn't need to send the
> radio back to Elecraft. The upside of returning the entire radio is
> that, besides fixing your problem, they will go over it thoroughly,
> and probably make any mods that have come out since your radio was
> shipped. They did that for me. My K3 is performing perfectly now.
>
> Hope this helps, or at least gives you some comfort. In any event,
> I doubt seriously that your friends who borrowed your K3 did
> anything wrong. It was just coincidence that the problem occurred
> while in their possession. I bet they are feeling awful, thinking
> they might have caused the problem.
>
> Let me know if you have any other questions.
>
> Dave W7AQK
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk
> >
> To: ""Crafters"" <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Cc: "K3Support" <k3support at elecraft.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:20 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] power switch problem
>
>
>> My K3 appears to have developed a power switch problem - it won't
>> turn off.
>> While away on Scout camp last week, I allowed another 2 hams to
>> work the K3 while I was not present (one is quite young and the
>> other an adult) - later on, one of them noticed that the K3 had
>> turned itself on (after they had turned it off and walked away).
>> The K3 was working correctly for the first few days and as far as
>> I know, was not 'bounced' around while sitting on the table during
>> the week. All functions appear correct except for this.
>>
>> After investigation, I found I can not turn it off. Pressing the
>> power button results in one of the following behaviours:
>>
>> Most common: LCD just shows background colour (light is on), LEDs
>> are off, effectively the rig is off (no AF etc), but the LCD is not
>> and I can't turn it back on with a press of the power button.
>>
>> Occasionally: K3 turns off correctly, but then turns back within a
>> matter of seconds.
>>
>> Less occasionally: as above, but turns back on after a few minutes.
>>
>> Rarely: Appears to turn off as per first scenario, but LCD flickers.
>>
>> To resolve this, I have to pull out the power cord and plug it
>> back in, in which case the K3 turns on - so it's like the power
>> switch is permanently on.
>>
>> This is not the ALARM function. In fact, I tried the alarm to see
>> if it would turn on correctly - it won't, but it did bleep at me
>> when I pulled the power out the back and plugged it back in.
>>
>> I have tried a 'master reset' holding the power switch in, it make
>> no different, doesn't reset and doesn't turn off etc.
>>
>> In preparation for the reset, I went through and noted all the
>> config settings, changing a couple on the way. After that, the K3
>> turned off ok, but came back on after a few minutes.
>>
>> Holding the power switch while applying power results in the LEDs
>> coming on, but nothing else.
>>
>> I thought this might have been a problem with dampness, but the
>> rig has been in my indoor shake for 3 days now. I also considered
>> supply voltage, since at camp I was using a L/A battery, but its
>> back on the 13.615v supply now (I have a Medusa Research Power
>> Analyzer).
>>
>>
>> I'm about to install the KRX3, so will be taking it apart, but
>> would prefer to resolve this first.
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> This has been working perfectly since December.
>> 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
>>
>> --
>> Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that
>> it takes in. -- Leonardo da Vinci
>>
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