[Elecraft] Cooling Fans

[Joe DeVincentis]

Personally, I wouldn't be concerned about the radio just yet.  There's a couple of other variables to check first.

How's the air flow around the radio? 

What's the ambient temp right around the radio (not the room, but right next to the radio)?

Any thing sitting on top of the radio?  Heat needs an easy escape.

Any heat generating items near the radio (e.g. incandescent lights)?


BTW, if the fan noise is objectionable, you can replace the fans with Noctua fans that have very similar characteristics and are quieter.  I used Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX fans.  The specs were almost identical and the fans are quieter.  

Here's a post regarding the fan replacement: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Fan-Replacement-td7592075.html <http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Fan-Replacement-td7592075.html>.  No modifications to the K3s was needed.  

Joe, KO8V


> On Jul 19, 2020, at 09:41, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> I am the original owner of K3/100 #969, which still works great. 
> 
> I’ve noticed that recently the cooling fan comes on occasionally even if the radio is on, but not in use (volume down, no transmitting). FP temperature shows 41 C, and PA temperature is at 35 C  
> 
> This is not at objectionable at all, but made me wonder if this was a cause for concern. 
> 
> Any ideas?
> 
> Tom W4KX