[Elecraft] K3 temperature

[Tom Hammond]

Well...

I must agree that, since the addition of the KRX3 in my K3, the internal temps
HAVE risen on the order of about 10 deg. C overall... However, this is NOT
anything I didn't expect... in fact, I seem to recall that Wayne even posted
(somewhere) that KRX3 users would notice higher internal temps.

What bothers me, a bit, is that my cooling fans seem to be running a LOT more
frequently, and at higher speeds, than they did several firmware versions ago.

I've mentioned this on the K3 Field Test reflector, but no one has risen to
comment upon my observations.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS


At 23:06 01/25/2009, Matt Zilmer wrote:
>Hi Barry,
>
>I installed the KRX3 in #24 here last week.  My experience with temps
>is different from yours.
>
>Ambient temp:  22C
>FP temp: 23C
>PA temp 34C
>(this is right now - in the middle of NA winter)
>
>Chassis exterior doesn't have temps any different from before the KRX3
>went in here.  At least not so far.
>
>This was after the K3 had been sitting on for most of the afternoon.
>Now, it's possible that your ambient temp is different, given that you
>are set right in the middle of Summer there.  However, I recorded FP
>and PA temps no higher than 36/48 here last summer.  This was due to
>the fact that I was running a lot of high duty cycle PSK31 QSO's at
>the time.  The ambient open-house temp was 35C, which is a little
>warm.  And believe me, the fans were running!  We were open-house
>because of a power outage, and with solar power the only inconvience
>was sweat.
>
>You might want to look at how your cables are dressed, esp. the one at
>the back from ANT receptacle to the KRX3.  If your fans can't get
>started, this might explain the high-temp problem.  If the cable is
>laying across the fan(s)....
>
>Also - make sure the KRX3 shield box isn't contacting anything on the
>RF Board.  Check your DC power supply's metering to see if it pulls
>appreciably more current with the KRX3 installed.
>
>It seems unlikely that the KRX3 is the problem.  But I'm not in your
>shoes.
>
>73,
>matt, W6NIA
>
>On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:42:30 +0000, you wrote:
>
> >Since I fitted the second receiver, my K3 is running a whole lot warmer,
> >even on receive with the sub receiver turned off.
> >
> >
> >
> >In particular the front half of the right hand side panel is almost hot and
> >the front right hand corner of the top cover is also very warm.
> >
> >
> >
> >Before the second receiver installation the PA and FP temperatures ran about
> >the same, in the high 20's if I remember. Just now the FP temperature is
> >nudging 44 degrees C and the PA is 36 C. This is after the rig has been on
> >for several hours, receive only, although it quickly heats up to these
> >temperatures when it is switched on.
> >
> >
> >
> >I am guessing that the air flow and thus the cooling ability of the rig has
> >been significantly impaired by the KRX3 and this is causing the very high
> >temperatures. I wonder if this has any long term reliability implications ?
> >
> >
> >
> >I also wonder if others are experiencing similar temperature issues with
> >KRX3's installed as I do not recall seeing any postings on the subject.
> >
> >
> >
> >Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
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