Hi Folks, A couple months ago I conducted an informal survey of K3 fan noise opinions here on the reflector. That survey turned up the fact that 2 different brands and models of fans were used on the KPA3 (100W module for the K3): Elina HDF6015L-12LB-1 and UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2 and ND5. The Elina fans seemed to be on earlier serial number units (< 900 or so) and the UTECs appeared on later serial numbers. The numbers of reports I received were:
UTEC Quiet 3 UTEC Loud: 4 Elina Quiet: 6 Elina Loud: 0 The lack of "loud" Elina reports was intriguing. I now have 2 K3s on my bench, one with UTEC fans and the other with Elina fans, so I can do an apples-to-apples comparison of the fan noise in the same environment. Between these two particular units, the Elina fans are indeed quieter than the UTEC fans. From my operating position in a quiet room (i.e. no computer fans running, no audio coming from the speakers, etc.), I can just barely detect any sound from the Elina fans at the lowest speed. The UTEC fans are very clearly audible at the lowest speed. At higher speeds, the Elinas are audible, but much less so than the UTEC fans at the same speeds. The Elina fan sound is also lacking the siren whine and "bearing noise" qualities that I hear with my UTEC fans. Most of the sound from the Elina fans is the white noise of the air flow. So to all of those who claimed your fans were virtually silent, I believe you. I've heard it now (or rather, NOT heard it) with my own ears. I've not yet found a source for single quantities of the Elina fans. 73 -- Joe KB8AP ______________________________________________________________ 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
