[Elecraft] K3 COOLING VENTS

[Barry Simpson]

An interesting post Tony. I have exactly the same issues with the right side
panel heating up with a typical front panel temperature reaching 43C. This
has only happened since installation of the second receiver which virtually
cuts off the airflow inside. The front panel typically runs hotter than the
PA.

I have already gone down the road of cutting six vertical slots in the right
hand side panel to assist with air flow. Regrettably it makes no difference
to the temperature. The only way to lower the temperature significantly is
to have the fans on permanently. This way there is some air sucked through
the vents in the panel and I can drop the temp down to the low 30's.

Given that the high temperature of the side panel does not appear to have
any detrimental effect I have now given up worrying about it.

73

Barry  VK2BJ

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K2ZLS
Sent: 14 May 2009 21:06
To: ELECRAFT at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 COOLING VENTS

Hi,

     There have been enough posts here about the temperature inside the 
K3 to start me thinking.   Mine also gets very WARM on the right side by 
U12 and U13.  You all know how "boxed in"  the Front side of the K3 has 
become and now we are looking at additional features being added to the 
inside of the box. The way the cooling fan is now, there is little or no 
circulation of air in the front side of the K3.  Another poster wanted 
to add bigger fans but, you know, that will not solve the heat problem 
because the air can't get to where it needs to go.  I would like to 
"CROSS VENTILATE" the front area by adding cooling vents, similar to the 
configuration of the speaker vents,  to both side panels.  There does 
not seem to be any worry about RF leakage at the rear vents where the 
AMP is and the side vents can be fashioned the same way.  I know that 
Wayne feels that the cooling is adequate but,  I think this would be a 
worthy modification at this point, if only to let the HOT AIR ...OUT. 

If someone knows how to punch out this configuration, I would gladly 
supply the panels and pay any costs involved.

73's  and  Thanks.

Tony      K2ZLS at OPTONLINE  dot  NET
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html