[Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" problem

[Jack Berry]

Wayne,
Define "older K3" please. Can you let us know when you started shipping K3's 
with gold contacts; date or S/N?

Thanks!
Jack - WE5ST




________________________________
From: Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: elecraft_k3 at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, February 14, 2012 9:53:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Older K3/100s can be updated to avoid possible "ERR 12V" 
problem

Early K3s had tin plating on the connectors that supply 12 V DC to the  
KPAIO3 and KPA3 modules. We discovered that in some climates the tin  
plating can eventually corrode, reducing voltage to the PA module,  
especially when operated at high duty cycle. This can result in an  
"ERR 12V" warning ("check circuit breaker") and the amplifier going  
into bypass mode. Power output drops to 12 watts max in this case. In  
some cases the power is temporarily restored after turning the K3 off  
and back on.

The cure is to replace the tin-plated contacts with new ones which  
have gold plating. It's fairly easy to replace just the pins involved.  
I believe we've been shipping the gold-plated connectors since  
sometime in 2009.

If you have an older K3/100 and you're planning to use their K3 in  
high humidity or salt air, or if you've seen the warning message, you  
should replace these connectors. They will be supplied free of charge  
on request (email "parts at elecraft dot com").

If you further questions on this topic, please email k3support.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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