Hi Bob, This is a subject that comes up on the reflector from time to time and elicits a whole range of responses; from "my fans are totally silent", to "my fans are really loud". Intrigued by the range of opinions, I did some research on this topic earlier this year. It turns out that there were two different brands of fans used in the K3. Early units used "Elina" brand fans, and later units used fans from "UTEC". Spec- wise, they are similar. Practically, however, all the reports of loud fans came from units with the "UTEC" fans. If you're interested in the details, you can search the archives for my email with the subject "K3 fan noise, part XXLIV" on May 27, 2010. Later, I was able to compare rigs with both brands of fans side-by-side and confirmed that the Elina fans were quieter. (Search the archives for my email with the subject "[K3] fan noise: new info" on July 2, 2010.)
But none of that is any immediate help to you. Make sure the fans and their mounting plate sit flush and aren't warped. I.e. check that you didn't inadvertently install a washer where there shouldn't be one, and that the countersunk heads of the long screws that hold the fans on are seated properly. If everything looks good there and you've carefully checked and confirmed that the fan blades aren't touching anything as they turn (which you say you have), it sounds like you might have one or two defective fans. In that case, a call to Elecraft or an email to k3supp...@elecraft.com seems in order. I consider the fans in my K3 to be moderately noisy, but they don't make what I would call a "clicking" or "buzzing" sound. The noise I hear is a combination of a siren-like whine and a sound I can only describe as "rough bearings". 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Nov 21, 2010, at 10:25 AM, Robert Redmon wrote: > I just finished assembling my new K3, and all is working > well....except > that the PA fans are very noisy. Actually, the normal fan noise is not > bad unless you set the fans to PA Fn3 or 4. However, even at the > lowest > setting, they make a kind of clicking or buzzing sound that is very > annoying. I originally thought it might have been one of the fans > lightly touching one of the wires or cables near them, but I took the > top off and checked and that was not the case. I don't think they made > this noise when I did the fan test. Any suggestions? > > -- > 73, Bob K5SM ______________________________________________________________ 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
