[Elecraft] K3 - Reliability: Oxidized PA Power Supply Pins Issue

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Hi David: 

Send a request to parts at elecraft.com for the KPA3CONMDKT modification kit. 

It is not difficult for you to do yourself if you have basic soldering
skills. Otherwise the factory can do it for you. 

Here's the background on this mod:

The connectors furnishing high current to the KPA3 module have failed in
certain units. Typically the pins on the male connectors become overheated,
damaging the female connector and reducing power to the KPA3. This causes an
ERR 12V message to appear on the K3s display. Note that this is not the only
reason you may see the ERR 12V message. There are many possible causes.
Consult your K3 Owner's manual for details. 

The replacement connectors have gold plated pins to ensure adequate current
carrying capacity without future trouble. 

There are two sets of connectors involved. One carries the current from the
K3 RF board to the KPAIO3 interface board and the second set carries current
from the KPAIO3 board to the KPA3 power amplifier module. If you are
replacing the connectors as a preventative measure, you need change only the
male connectors. The female connectors in the K3 are already gold plated.
However, if you have suffered damage as indicated by discolored pins or
other signs of obvious overheating, you must replace the female connectors
as well. It is certain that the female connectors were damaged internally by
the heat.

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David and Dianne on
Comcast
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 3:29 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Reliability: Oxidized PA Power Supply Pins Issue

Hi Everyone,

I have an early K3 #371 from Feb 2008.

I have done all the hardware mods. It has served me admirably to date
without major issue.

I saw in an earlier post today on this thread stating the following, "The
latest was the oxidized PA power supply pins issue."

I am not familiar with this issue and do not remember reading about it here
or seeing anything on it on the Elecraft web site under K3 modifications.

Can anyone shed some light on this issue or point me to an earlier thread
about it?

Have there been significant modifications to the early K3 PA's to warrant
considering replacing it with a newer PA version?

Thanks in advance for any info.

73 de N1LQ-Dave
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