[K3] RE: [Elecraft] K3 power tripping out

[G4AFU Paul]

Ron,
Many thanks for taking the time for a considered reply.

Also to all the other respondents.

I've checked the power cable and connectors - all is seated correctly and
firm.

I'll just turn the wick down on my K3.

This reflector is surely the bees knees!
73 de Paul 


Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> 
> While a bad connection in the power certainly can cause this, it's worth
> checking your power supply "crowbar" point. As you know, most power
> supplies
> have over-current protection (crowbar circuit) that shuts them down if the
> current exceeds some preset level, even instantaneously. 
> 
> Some supplies, like my Astron, shut themselves down completely, requiring
> me
> to cycle the power switch on the Astron to restore power and alerting me
> to
> just what happened. But others don't. They just shut down for as long as
> the
> over-current condition occurs, so all you need do I push the K3 POWER
> button
> to restore operation.
> 
> You are quite right that the current varies according to the SWR. It also
> varies by band because the overall efficiency of the K3 varies slightly
> over
> the bands. I have an Astron 20 which is fine with the K3 but close to the
> current limit on some bands making it more sensitive to absolutely low SWR
> on some bands since it draws nearly 20 amps at 1:1 at 100 watts output.
> 
> Another common issue is an improperly mating Anderson PowerPole connector.
> It should require a solid "tug" to disconnect the power cable from the
> rig,
> indicating that the flat leaf spring contacts are mating fully. 
> 
> One cause of bad mating is that the contacts are not fully inserted into
> the
> connector housings. If they are, you cannot remove the contacts by pulling
> on the wires. The contacts snap over an edge near the open end of the
> connector when they are fully inserted.
> 
> Of course that's true for the connectors on the back of the K3 too, but
> those come pre-assembled and should be right. 
> 
> Ron AC7AC
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jon K Hellan
> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:10 AM
> To: G4AFU Paul
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [K3] [Elecraft] K3 power tripping out
> 
> G4AFU Paul wrote:
>> For some unknown reason my K3 (897) tripped out 3 times last night when
>> on
>> 160m cw. 
>> I was running 90w out with a 1 to 1 swr - auto ATU installed. 
>> Each time I brought it back to life by hitting the POWER button.
>> 
>> It is a little disconcerting when in mid QSO!
>> 
>> Has anyone else had this happen to them?
> 
> This happens to me when SWR is a bit off, and also happened with my
> previous
> rig. I haven't measured,
> but I suspect that it's pulling more current, making the power supply
> voltage drop. I can usually
> avoid the condition by turning power back a little - say to 70 or 80 W.
> The
> power supply is rated for
> 25 A.
> 
> 73
> Jon LA4RT
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