[Elecraft] K3 ERR 12V problem

[Ken K3IU]

Good Morning, Barry:
Sounds like a problem that raised its head quite a while back with 
corrosion of the 12V pins on the KPA3 connector. I am not near my rig 
and info at the moment so I can't confirm that.
73 and Happy Holidays,
Ken K3IU

On 12/17/2017 1:36 AM, Barry Simpson wrote:
> I have an early model K3 s/n 1397 which I built and which I upgraded around
> 12 months ago with the new synthesizers etc.
>
> It has the second receiver and numerous filters in both receivers.
>
> I have never had a moment's trouble with it since the original build in
> around 2009 and since the big upgrade.
>
> However, a couple of weeks ago, I had an ERR 12V message come up in the
> middle of a CQ and the rig stopped working. I simply turned it off and back
> on again and it seemed to be fixed.
>
> A little earlier today, I was calling CQ on 17m CW using the KPA 500 and
> the ERR 12V occurred again.
>
> This time I read the manual and saw that it could be related to the  K3 PA
> module.
>
> I powered off the rig again and checked to find that there was some new
> firmware which I duly downloaded successfully. I then performed a TX gain
> calibration at 5w and 50w and that was successful.
>
> I then did a band by band check of the maximum CW power out. All seemed
> normal except for 24.9 MHz where the power out was around 130W - too high.
>
> However, as I was testing on 50.1 MHz the dreaded ERR 12V occurred again
> and after a power down and restart the same thing.
>
> Before I enlist the help of Elecraft, can anyone point me in the right
> direction to check for a short in the PA module. What should I be looking
> at/for ?  The rig has not emitted any smoke nor has there been any burning
> smells or unusual noises.
>
> Any pointers would be appreciated before I take the rig apart.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
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