[Elecraft] KX3 Battery Supply Inoperative 42 Percent of the Time...

[Phil Hystad]

OK, Here's the thing...

My KX3 battery has operated flawlessly ever since I first built the KX3 and put in the battery holder/charger feature.  One set of batteries being used in portable QRP ops being discharged and recharged many times.  Then, I decided to buy the 2-meter module option and install that.

I started the installation which included taking out all 8 batteries, unplugging the battery connector that goes to the other half of the KX3 and so on.  I get part way into the installation and discover that I cannot finish the job because inductor L40 which has to move cannot physically move at all.  So, I send it to Elecraft, they do the installation, they send the unit back to me and everything is hunky-dory except for the battery facility.

These are the symptoms.  Brand new batteries installed, and I operate the KX3 with external power and make sure that the batteries are fully charged.  The VFO B Display shows BT voltage with a good charged level.  I turn the KX3 off, disconnect external power, and go to turn on with battery power.  Nothing happens, just as if no batteries installed.

I replug external power, turn on KX3 using external power and check out the various battery menu settings and so on.  This time, without unplugging external power connector, I merely turn off the external power supply and the KX3 continues operating nicely with battery power.  I do a number of tests with CW key down into metered dummy load to check TX and a few other things.  I think the problem solved.  I run on batteries all afternoon to run them down.  Turning on external power I recharge the batteries back up to an operating level.  I turn off KX3, disconnect external power, and turn on KX3 and nothing happens just like before.  I fiddle with things a bit.  I attempt to do what I did before that brought life back to the battery feature but nothing happens.

I split open the KX3 and check the power plug.  I push in on it a little bit.  I put the two halves loosely back together and then do a power on and the KX3 comes alive on batteries.

I am thinking that I have a loose connection somewhere, maybe the battery hookup plug that goes across to the other half.  

Anyone have problems with these connectors?  I am wondering if I just give up on the battery thing and use my external Li -ion external batteries from now on.

73, phil, K7PEH