[Elecraft] Successfully using a micro fan to keep K2 cool

[W B Reese]

Well, I like mine cool.  In my experience, cool equipment has fewer 
breakdowns and lasts longer.  Not only that, it has less drift.

There is a menu in K2 to calibrate the temperature probe that 
controls the fan.  I have mine set to a much higher temperature than 
what it actually is.  This makes the fan come on at a lower 
temperature.  I just put up with the noise.

My K2/100 drifts about 70 Hz from a cold turn on in the mornings to 
"ambiant."  If I begin rag chewing and really pound away it will 
drift another 40 Hz.  I live with this every day, and although it 
gives me something to do while rag chewing, but I'd be happy to 
improve the temperature stability further and reduce it a bit more.

So, Ron,

It got hot enough you couldn't put your hand on it...  How far did it drift ?

TR, WB6TMT K2 S/N 838

At 10:24 AM 5/27/2009 -0700, you wrote:
>Good grief! How cool do you want to keep the K2?
>
>Several years ago I ran some tests for one of the engineers to check the
>K2's frequency stability vs. temperature. Several testers and I cycled the
>K2's internal temperature by hooking on a suitable dummy load and
>transmitting for extended periods so the 100 watt PA would cook the insides.
>(Some actually did the "brick on the key" routine from what I recall.)
>
>Mine was heated enough I couldn't keep my hand on the PA heat sink and the
>internal air temperature was well above 120F. That was done dozens of times
>with no deleterious effects on the K2 or the amp, then or since.
>
>I have used a 4" square muffin fan sitting in rubber feet on top of the K2
>running at a slow speed, not to keep it any cooler but to avoid the noisy
>little fan on the back from running.
>
>Ron AC7AC
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>How noisy is it ?
>
>One idea I've had for a long time is to remove the elecraft fan on
>the rear of K2 and find a hose of the proper diameter, somehow
>mounting it in a semi-permanent fashon.  at the other end of the
>hose, a box with a big fan that can really blast some serious air
>through the K2.  Put the box on the floor or in the next room so you
>don't have to hear it.
>
>Any thoughts ?
>
>TR, WB6TMY K2 S/N 838
>
>
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