[Elecraft] ERR 12V

[Ralph Parker]

>...all of a sudden radio #1 (K3 sn 594) flashed the ERR 12v message, and
>CHECK CIRCUIT BREAKER etc... circuit breaker was not tripped...

I've had multiple occasions of a similar situation.
N1MM via MicroHam to K3to Acom amp.
During the last few CW contests, occasionally in the middle of a
transmission the K3 would stop transmitting and flash the "ERR 12V" and
"check circuit breaker" messages. Meanwhile, N1MM is still sending data to
MicroHam.
I'd have to recycle the K3 power and turn the K3 power back up to 50 watts.
N1MM would then not send properly, and both N1MM and MicroHam router would
have to be re-booted.

Eventually, it would happen again (and in more than one contest).
I checked the circuit breaker, even removed and bypassed it, and removed
and checked the pins on the KPA3/100. All looks OK - no sign of heat or
stress.
 
At another location, we used two different K3s in the CQ WW CW, and had
similar problems with one of them, although we didn't see the "ERR 12V"
message. It also required rebooting everything.

In normal (non-contest) operation, I have had no problems.
I have not ruled out RF ingress to computer, interface or K3 as the cause
of the problem.
K3 Support thinks it is voltage drop across the KPA3/100 pins.
I didn't think to look at the PA temp, but the fans were operating normally.
(I almost never notice them anyway.)

I have subsequently re-arranged the interconnecting leads, and added
toroids where I think they might help.
I'm now waiting for the next contest to see what happens.

Ralph, VE7XF