[Elecraft] K3: low output after air travel

[Ralph Parker]

>... my K3... only shows a maximum of 12 watts output.
>It also has an error message "12 volt error"...

I had the same problem.
Ol' #1823 worked flawlessly at PJ6A with 100 watts out for 25k QSOs.
After bringing her home, I had the above problem in EVERY contest.
Gary at K3 support suspected the plugs/sockets between the motherboard,
KPAIO3  and KPA100. Sure enough, they were discoloured, probably from heat.
He suggested changing the plugs or bypassing them as a 'temporary' measure.
He can send you pictures of where to put the jumpers.
To save the motherboard, I elected to use the 'bypass surgery'.
Took about 15 minutes, and solved the problem.
Apparently, the newer models with gold pins don't have this problem.

Ralph, VE7XF