[Elecraft] KPA100 Thermal Pads

[Don Wilhelm]

Anthony,

You can reuse the KPA100 thermal pads unless they are obviously torn in 
such a way that they will not go back in place.  They usually stick to 
either the transistor or the heat sink - take care not to damage or 
disturb their relative positions when working on the KPA100 board and 
all will be well.

If you do replace the thermal pads, I would recommend that you follow 
the re-tightening procedure after about 20 hours of operation at high 
power - the new pads need time and heat to conform the the transistors 
and the heat sink.  If you re-use the old ones, you will not have to do 
the re-tightening.

Heat sink compound is not only messy, but for some compounds, the heat 
sink pads supplied by Elecraft conduct heat much better.  Use heat sink 
compound only at your own peril (replacement transistors are about $68 <G>).

73,
Don W3FPR

Anthony Bowyer wrote:
>   I need to replace the speaker in a k2/100, but it
> requires that the KPA100 PA transistors and the board
> be removed from the heatsink. 
> 
>   Anyone aware of any issues with reusing the thermal
> pads? 
> 
>   I really like thermal grease better, but since this
> is what it was built with, I'll stick with it. Just
> not sure if their effectiveness is dimished when
> reused.
> 
> Thank you,
> Anthony, NT4X  
> 
> 
>        
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