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

[Phil Hystad]

Stephen, and Doug:

Yes, I suspect the plug to be the culprit here since once I fixed the problem merely
by tightening and pushing in on the plug itself.  I will take a closer look this afternoon.

73, phil, K7PEH


On Oct 5, 2014, at 4:21 AM, Stephen Prior <eastbrantwood at gmail.com> wrote:

> I've also had a situation where just one of the battery wires came adrift
> from the plug that comes from the battery pack and goes into the other half
> of the case.  The KX3 behaved very peculiarly for a while until I noticed
> it and re-soldered (fiddly job).
> 
> Stephen G4SJP
> 
> On 5 October 2014 09:27, Doug Turnbull <turnbull at net1.ie> wrote:
> 
>> Phil,
>>    I have also experienced the KX3 going dead on fully charged batteries.
>> It seems that the only cure was to open up the KX3 remove and reinstall
>> batteries and also check cables to see that they are fully seated.    Then
>> things work again.    I have no idea why this should be and thankfully it
>> does not happen often.    In my case removing and reinstalling the
>> batteries
>> seems to be a necessity almost as if it was allowing a power off reset.
>> This problem seems to occur after a battery charge cycle.    The problem is
>> thankfully rare but it puts a chill through my bones.
>> 
>>                 73 Doug EI2CN
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil
>> Hystad
>> Sent: 04 October 2014 23:38
>> To: elecraft
>> Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Battery Supply Inoperative 42 Percent of the
>> Time...
>> 
>> 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
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to turnbull at net1.ie
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to eastbrantwood at gmail.com
>> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to phystad at mac.com