[Elecraft] KXPA100 Thermal Fault

[Matt VK2RQ]

Make sure you put the fans the right way around, ie. sucking up the hot air and blowing it away from the heat sink :-)

73, Matt VK2RQ

> On 22 Jul 2014, at 9:18 am, Bert via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Thanks to all who made suggestions. I will be trying one or two fans atop  
> the heat sink and see how that works out in the next RTTY contest foray.
> While looking into possibilities, I checked out the web site where I got my 
> "add-on" KX3 heat sink (https://proaudioeng.com/products/) and found they 
> had  added a new product, a power supply specifically for the KX3. Specs 
> look  promising. [I don't have a vested interest in the company, just pleased 
> with the  heat sink.]
> Again, this reflector is a great source for ideas about great  products!
> 73, Bert N4CW/K1IMI
> 
> 
> In a message dated 7/20/2014 7:18:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> N4CW at aol.com writes:
> 
> I used my KX3/KXPA100 in the NAQP RTTY contest this weekend. The KX3 with  
> added-on heat sink worked very well; however, the KXPA100 repeatedly faulted 
> with HI TEMPERATURE indicated on the KX3 at full output after prolonged  
> operating (lots of CQ'ing with short pause intervals). PA.X temp indicated at 
> failure was around 60C...as it should. Shack temperature was around 70 
> degrees  F
> Yes, I know all about digital modes and full power stressing amplifiers,  
> etc. What I want to know is how to mitigate this interruption yet run full  
> output. To that end, I have a couple ideas: what if I mounted the amp  
> vertically so the heatsink fins "drew" cooler air through themselves via  
> convection? Secondly, would a couple muffin fans mounted atop the cooling fins  do 
> the job? 
> The net of this is that I'd like to enjoy the full benefit of having a  
> high-quality 100-Watt amplifier, regardless of mode or key-down time.
> 
> Bert N4CW/K1IMI
> 
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