[Elecraft] Additional experience on KPA/KAT/K3 interoperation issues

[Jack Berry]

That happened when I tried to plug in the replacement. Slipped left of the socket in my RigRunner and had to retrieve it with tape.  
The original was correctly installed. 

> On Jan 9, 2014, at 9:46 PM, Richard Fjeld <rpfjeld207 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> I just wanted to give you a heads-up when automotive fuses are involved.  We had a situation where someone plugged in a fuse but the blades on the fuse slid between the insulation and the terminals.  That made a resistance connection which got very hot in our case.  It would surely cause a voltage drop if not an intermittent open.  It's easy to do.
>  
> Dick, n0ce
>  
> 
>  
> > Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2014 18:13:44 -0800
> > From: we5st at yahoo.com
> > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> > Subject: [Elecraft] Additional experience on KPA/KAT/K3 interoperation issues
> > 
> > I use a SteppIR, DB42 with 60/80 dipole so I expect my case to be different than many others. Regardless, I have been exchanging emails with Elecraft support and thought these two findings might help someone else.
> > 
> > 
> > Stumbled on something today that may be at least a partial cause. For a long 
> > time I had what I assumed was a problem with the power plug to the 
> > KAT500. I would occasionally hit the power button and got no power. I 
> > would pull and reinsert the plug or wiggle it and all would be fine for 
> > days more before it happened again.
> > 
> > This morning I had the KAT500 powered and then in the afternoon it would not power on. I went 
> > through the routine as before but not dice. I measure 11V at the plug 
> > and it should have been ~13.8. 
> > Would under-voltage be a cause of some of these symptoms? Not sure but it's fishy.
> > 
> > 
> > I found the fuse on my Rig Runner 12V distribution panel had "almost 
> > blown". They use automotive fuses.I crawled under the desk and found the 5A fuse position was lit which 
> > means the fuse is blown. I pulled the fuse and it looks to be still 
> > connected with a sliver of metal laying diagonally inside the fuse. 
> > Apparently it was defective all along and we not supply full power for 
> > some time. Replaced the fuse and all is g
> > ood. 
> > 
> > I have no way of knowing whether the fuse was deffective or it actually failed in service from over-amperage. Hard imagine the KAT would kill a 5 amp fuse with no other symptoms.
> > I will find a 1 or 2 amp 
> > replacement tomorrow as I now realize it should only draw 1 amp max.
> > 
> > Yesterday, before the fuse discovery, I placed a ferrite on the SteppIR control cable just at the cable entrance thinking it might be importing RF from the top of the tower. That seemed to have stopped the issue of higher than normal SWR and retuning and KPA500 "REFL HI" faults. Still early though - we'll see!
> > 
> > 
> > I will do a good review of the SteppIR next week I hope. The weatherman 
> > is saying we should be sunny and 60-70F. Perfect antenna weather.
> > 
> > Hope this helps someone or spurs some creative troubleshooting.
> > 
> >  
> > God Bless & 73!
> > Jack - WE5ST
> >  
> > God Bless & 73!
> > Jack - WE5ST
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