My K3S did this a couple of months ago - 40m SSB - 100W. I restarted it and it continued for nearly another month before switching off again. It did it a couple of times more over a week or so, before finally turning off and refusing to turn on again.
On investigation, I realised that I had “temporarily” connected the K3S power cable to a distribution box, using PowerPoles - bad move. When tracing the cable routing, I pressed against one of the PowerPoles and the radio came back on again. I found it impossible to pull the PowerPoles apart, which was due to the plastic covers being badly distorted by heat. I eventually got round to pulling the PowerPoles apart by force and unfortunately the + connector flew in the air and I haven’t found it yet. 😀 However, the contact in the dis-box looks suspiciously like it’s gotten hot and coupled with the other “evidence” I conclude that the contacts deformed under heat caused by high current spikes (SSB). Also, my IC-9700 (although connected to a different PSU - via PowerPoles) did the same thing, but unlike the K3S, it just rebooted itself. I have completely rewired all of the high power cables in my shack directly back to the PSU (Sharman Multicom - 60A) and I’ve had no more problems. In your case, you’re running 100W for longer periods and that is one possible cause of a premature breakdown. You could save yourself a lot of trouble, by examining all of the power connections, including the PowerPoles on the K3 itself. 73, Alan - G4GNX South Coast UK Elecraft K4D / KPA500 / KAT500 / IC-9700 > On 28 Aug 2024, at 03:30, Glenn Thorne <kd0q.gl...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Just tonight my K3 with KPA3 running 100 watts shuts down during digital > transmissions. It appears that it happens after the PA temp is 47 C. > Maybe the first time it hits 48 C? > > I checked the KPA3 FN1 - 4 settings and it appears that the fans work. > > At what PA temps should the fans come on? Increased speed? > > Any ideas where to start troubleshooting will be appreciated. > > Glenn - KD0Q ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@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 arch...@mail-archive.com
