[Elecraft] KPA500 - fan noise
Interesting post from Wayne regarding the low fan noise from the KPA1500. So, I have to ask about fan noise and the KPA500. Background: I run my KPA500 all the time - my K3 is a 500 Watt XCVR. From time to time, in particular during AM operation, the fan comes on and moves right on up in the noise department. Enough, that I have considered changing the location of the amp or redesigning my desk and putting a door across the shelf the amp lives on (open to the back and lots of room of course). Question: Has anyone successfully reduced the fan noise of the KPA500 by fan replacement? If so, please tell me what you did. Thanks, Bill W2BLC K-Line __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 Fan Noise
Is loud fan noise common with smaller solid state amps? I have read complaints about the SPE Expert 1.3k loud fan noise and the new Flex Power Genius sounds pretty loud in the demo video. I have the fan on my KPA500 set to 4 (if I recall correctly) and it is pretty quiet however setting it one speed higher and it becomes significantly louder and quite annoying. While I rarely use this amp I would still see a quieter fan, a setting in-between 4 and 5 or a larger heat sink as a nice option. I wonder if the Acom 600S has fan noise issues, it is physically larger and I have yet to read any such comments. John KK9A __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
Noiseblocker does too (92x92x25), which I prefer due to color. :) I have no idea if this is the correct size for the KPA500, I don't have one, and can't vouch for doing the mod. BlackSilentPro would be the model I've used in past fan replacements on switches and such. Disclaimer, I have no idea how this will influence the thermal control of your KPA500. YMMY/mod at your own risk. Perhaps a call to Elecraft to discuss? On Sun, Feb 12, 2017 at 3:09 PM, Clay Autery wrote: > "Its to bad a replacement fan for the KPA500 from Noctua can't be found > these are well engineered fans moving more air and quietly" > > Is the fan in the KPA500 a 92mm fan? Noctua makes a 92x92x25 mm fan... > > __ > Clay Autery, KY5G > MONTAC Enterprises > (318) 518-1389 > > On 2/12/2017 2:22 PM, Arthur Nienhouse wrote: > > */ I put a Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM pusher fan on the inlet this helped a > > bit,with a typical over during a cw rag chew at 28 wpm delays the > > onset of high speed by a couple of minutes depending on the temp in > > the shack. > > > > With the big fan on the back *off* my idle temp is 31c with *no* the > > helper fan, with the helper fan wired to the radio which runs when the > > radio is on the idle temp is 24 c it pushes the air from the top inlet > > through the unit and out the back. Noctua fans sit on soft silicone > > pads no vibration no sound just moves the air along through the amp. > > > > Its to bad a replacement fan for the KPA500 from Noctua can't be found > > these are well engineered fans moving more air and quietly. > > > > Regards > > ka9zap > > Art > > __ > 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 orma...@corenode.com > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
"Its to bad a replacement fan for the KPA500 from Noctua can't be found these are well engineered fans moving more air and quietly" Is the fan in the KPA500 a 92mm fan? Noctua makes a 92x92x25 mm fan... __ Clay Autery, KY5G MONTAC Enterprises (318) 518-1389 On 2/12/2017 2:22 PM, Arthur Nienhouse wrote: > */ I put a Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM pusher fan on the inlet this helped a > bit,with a typical over during a cw rag chew at 28 wpm delays the > onset of high speed by a couple of minutes depending on the temp in > the shack. > > With the big fan on the back *off* my idle temp is 31c with *no* the > helper fan, with the helper fan wired to the radio which runs when the > radio is on the idle temp is 24 c it pushes the air from the top inlet > through the unit and out the back. Noctua fans sit on soft silicone > pads no vibration no sound just moves the air along through the amp. > > Its to bad a replacement fan for the KPA500 from Noctua can't be found > these are well engineered fans moving more air and quietly. > > Regards > ka9zap > Art __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
*/ I put a Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM pusher fan on the inlet this helped a bit,with a typical over during a cw rag chew at 28 wpm delays the onset of high speed by a couple of minutes depending on the temp in the shack. With the big fan on the back *off* my idle temp is 31c with *no* the helper fan, with the helper fan wired to the radio which runs when the radio is on the idle temp is 24 c it pushes the air from the top inlet through the unit and out the back. Noctua fans sit on soft silicone pads no vibration no sound just moves the air along through the amp. Its to bad a replacement fan for the KPA500 from Noctua can't be found these are well engineered fans moving more air and quietly. Regards ka9zap Art /* __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
Art: Thanks for the info on the helper fan. I just bought one from the Amazon link you provided. Strangely enough, heat is never a problem here in the summer as the Central Air always keeps the shack cool (Basement). During the winter is when the shack gets warm as the furnace runs quite a bit and I usually have the door closed so the warm or hot air gets trapped in the shack. Never hurts to keep the equipment cool. Do you have a filter or anything like that to keep the dust out. 73 De Mike VE3YF http://www.ve3yf.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
I remember all the flack I got when I when I first posted about the Noctua fans for the K3.They make the K3 nearly silent; It sure would be nice to find a suitable one for the KPA500. I'm glad to see others using them and enjoying the peace and quiet. I may need to try your Helper Fan idea, I have considered ordering a replacementtop for the KPA500 and opening up the slits and putting a screen in their place. From: Arthur Nienhouse To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, September 4, 2015 9:50 AM Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise */I have been so happy with the pair of Noctua fans I put on the back of my K3 very very quite moves a lot of air, so I looked for a way to help my KPA500 cool better because Noctua does not make a fan that will work as a replacement for the fan on the amp. What I did was get a *helper* fan that sits on top of the amp air inlet the model number I chose is a NF-A9x14 PWM92mm I purchased from Amazon it sits on the opening using the silicone feet that are supplied The idle temp before ran at 31c The idle temp helper fan installed 24c ... in the summer when the shack is a lot warmer these numbers are higher. I use the 12v out put from the K3 to power the *helper* fan is always running can't hear it. This helps in so much as I can get into a cw fix a few minutes longer before the big fan kicks in and it sounds like a Tomcat after burners lit before carrier launch. If some one has tried a pair of Noctua fans stacked that could fit the back of amp that would be great these are very well developed fans that are very very quiet moving a lot of air. K3 fans http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NQMESS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00 KPA500 *helper* http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NQM7V2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Regards Art ka9zap /* __ 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 hlyin...@yahoo.com __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
*/I have been so happy with the pair of Noctua fans I put on the back of my K3 very very quite moves a lot of air, so I looked for a way to help my KPA500 cool better because Noctua does not make a fan that will work as a replacement for the fan on the amp. What I did was get a *helper* fan that sits on top of the amp air inlet the model number I chose is a NF-A9x14 PWM92mm I purchased from Amazon it sits on the opening using the silicone feet that are supplied The idle temp before ran at 31c The idle temp helper fan installed 24c ... in the summer when the shack is a lot warmer these numbers are higher. I use the 12v out put from the K3 to power the *helper* fan is always running can't hear it. This helps in so much as I can get into a cw fix a few minutes longer before the big fan kicks in and it sounds like a Tomcat after burners lit before carrier launch. If some one has tried a pair of Noctua fans stacked that could fit the back of amp that would be great these are very well developed fans that are very very quiet moving a lot of air. K3 fans http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NQMESS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00 KPA500 *helper* http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NQM7V2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Regards Art ka9zap /* __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
SAME HERE, I RUN MY KPA-500 IN FSK AT 270 WATTS OUT INTO A 1:1 SWR AS NCS OF THE RATTS RTTY NET. DURING THE LONG PREAMBLE AND ENDING MESSAGE MY TEMP GETS UP TO 70 AND SOMETIMES 73 DEG C. THE FAN ROARS LOUDLY AFTER 70 DEG IS REACHED. I HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FAN BEHIND THE FAN IN K3 TO ASSIST SUCKING THE AIR OF OUT OF THE AMP. I WISH IT DID NOT HAVE TO WORK SO HARD THAT THE FAN HAS TO GO INTO HIGH SPEED. I HAVE PLENTY OF CLEARANCE UNDER THE AMP SUCH AS NOT TO RESTRICK AIR FLOW. 73 de Jack / W7LD / "Lucky Dog" - Original Message - From: "Terry Burkholder" To: Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 11:58 AM Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise During a normal rag chew after three or four minutes, the temp on my KPA500 hits 70 degrees and the fans are at full blast. It is difficult to hear over the fan noise even when using headphones. Running 480 watts out (verified on a calibrated wattmeter) on 20 meters. SWR is 1.0:1. Is this normal for the KPA500? Thanks Terry N4TB __ 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 w7l...@embarqmail.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
During a normal rag chew after three or four minutes, the temp on my KPA500 hits 70 degrees and the fans are at full blast. It is difficult to hear over the fan noise even when using headphones. Running 480 watts out (verified on a calibrated wattmeter) on 20 meters. SWR is 1.0:1. Is this normal for the KPA500? Thanks Terry N4TB __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise comment
Mine does kick up speed @ 50C. I've only had an SB 200, SB 220, Ameritron 811h & the KPA. None had the ramp up feature like the KPA. It's the quietest of all I've had even running on it's higher speed. When it's idling or resting vs. the the other amps...Forget abt it. They let you know they were on !!! K9IL __ 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
[Elecraft] KPA500 FAN NOISE
WELL, I SOLVED THE FAN NOISE ON MY KPA500. HAVING HAD SOLID STATE AMPS IN THE PAST I LIKE TO RUN THE FAN AT THE LOW NUMBER ONE SPEED. I'VE BEEN BUGGED ABOUT SOME FAN NOISE WHICH I'M SURE WOULDN'T BOTHER OTHERS BUT DID ME. I WENT TO RADIO SHACK AND GOT A PACK OF GROMMETS. I USED THE SMALL 5/16 GROMMETS IN THE FAN HOLES WHICH FIT NICELY AND USED ANOTHER ONE BETWEEN THE FAN AND THE AMPLIFIER CASE. I TOOK OUT THE SPACERS AND THAT DID IT. IT IS AS SILENT AS IT CAN BE AND NO MORE MILD METALLIC WHINE. I'M HAPPY. IF YOU ARE BOTHERED BY THE NOISE GIVE THIS A TRY. 73, STEVE w0sz __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
One thing I tried during a recent contest was to set FAN CTL = 1 during the contest, or at least whenever I was CQing. The noise level stayed constant instead of jumping up and down with the PA temperature, and a constant noise level is easier to cope with. Outside of contests, I set FAN CTL = NOR, because the fan rarely if ever comes on then. 73, Rich VE3KI VE7XF wrote: > During the SS CW, I was (for the first time) conscious of the fan noise > when it went into 'high gear' during extended CQs. It did make the weak > sigs more difficult to copy (even through my headset). __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 fan noise
>...I spent a lot of time making my KPA500 much quieter by modifying it... Please post your experiences, Don. During the SS CW, I was (for the first time) conscious of the fan noise when it went into 'high gear' during extended CQs. It did make the weak sigs more difficult to copy (even through my headset). I've had a few looks myself, but haven't yet taken the cover off. Ralph, VE7XF __ 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
