[Elecraft] [Elecraft-K4] K4D - Fault Question + wish

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OK,

I found the error message...

"ER53, High LPA temperature; check LPA heat sink screws: Temperature at 
10 watt stage exceeded its limit. This could be caused by the screws on 
the bottom cover becoming too lose, by high ambient temperature, or by 
excessive key-down time."

It would be NICE if the messages could be viewed after the fact.  Like 
KPA500 utility.  I originally thought it was a KPA500 issue.  I was 
running 10 watts from the LPA at the time, key down PSK31 in a QSO.  IF, 
I had run a little more power so that the HPA (High Power Amp) was 
coasting then the LPA could coast, too....   (aka, better to run 400 
Watts with the KPA500 than 100 Watts... or 50+ watts barefoot)

NOW, I understand what was going on.  Thanks Jack, W6FB

73, Steve WB3LGC


On 24-Apr-22 02:03 PM, Steve WB3LGC wrote:
>
> Yesterday I got a fault message on the K4 screen.  It disappeared 
> before I could see it fully, but I did get "tighten heatsink screws".  
> The fan was working as its speed was speeding up and the KPA500 temp 
> saw about 60+C (it may have been higher).  I was running 100 watts 
> PSK31.  The KPA500 did switch to STBY (I think).
>
> I can not find any record of what the message was.  I can not find 
> "heatsink screws" referenced in the K4, KPA500 or KPA1500 manuals.  
> Both the K4 and KPA500 are factory built.
>
> PSK31 has a longer duty cycle than FT8 and I was running FT8 at higher 
> power with out the amp temp going above 60C, earlier.  I switched to 
> barefoot and ran 80W PSK31 without issue.
>
> Question 1)Before I take the KPA500 apart, is this a problem or just 
> duty cycle?  I would think the KPA500 would be able to handle 100W key 
> down.
>
> Question 2) I saved the K4 backup and diagnostic logs to USB disk (the 
> next day). I could NOT find anything that looked like the error 
> messages.  I find many messages disappear before I get a chance to 
> read them.
>
> Wish 1) KPA500 add FAN CTL for both OPER and STBY or set STBY to run 
> at NOR and OPER to be adjustable.
>
> Wish 2) K4, allow {EASY} checking date/time for all past error 
> messages. I may have had a KPA500 over temp message while long winded 
> on SSB (but only 200W)?
>
> Wish 3) K4, HOLD error messages until "confirmed".  Messages like 
> KPA500 on/off (info) only need to be short time (??), but if away 
> (maybe confirm).  Either way "this" will be an issue for  the 
> contesters, so have a way to save for later recall, as in write to USB 
> if one is installed.  Fn could write to USB disk with time stamp?  OR, 
> are there documents on how to read the diagnostic logs?
>
>
> 73, steve WB3LGC
>
> I will also send to support if no one has a good idea about the fault.
>
>
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