[Elecraft] K3 power drop and ERR 12V

[W2RU - Bud Hippisley]

Mark --

Having gone through the "ERR 12V" experience a year ago, I can suggest:

1.  It might the a high resistance in the circuit breaker on the rear panel.
2.  It might be high resistance in the card edge connector pins that transport high-current 12VDC for the 100-w KPA3 module into and out of the KPAIO3 which is vertically positioned at the rear of the K3.  
3.  There are some other esoteric possibilities that are extremely low probability, so I won't go into them.

My circuit breaker was fine, but the contacts on the KPAIO3 board were not doing the job.  Elecraft sent me replacement pins for the connectors but in the interest of time I simply soldered two short jumpers (#12 or #14 insulated stranded wire) across the offending pin-pairs.  It takes longer to describe it than to do it.  It's an hour, start to finish, including taking one side panel off the K3 to get at the appropriate pins on the KPAIO3 and mating boards.

Support (Gary Surrency) at Elecraft has detailed info and pictures.  

Bud, W2RU



On Jan 4, 2013, at 7:14 AM, Mark Pride <mpridesti at yahoo.com> wrote:

> First time having an issue with my K3 - have the 100 watt module and today, got an error on the display indicating ERR12V and the power dropped.  Had to adjust upward to only reach 12 watts.
>  
> Need some guidance from the group - I hope the 100 watt module is not blown.  Please advise and thanks!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Mark, K1RX