[Elecraft] RFE KPA1500 Fan Protocol

[eric norris]

My apologies to Larry for my error.  He is of course correct about FANticipator's connections, he wrote the software and does a great job supporting it.  For free.
FANticipator keeps more than 100 KPA1500s cooler and quieter, if the numbers on Larry's dist list are mostly FANticipator users like me.
Interestingly, people have contacted me with the drastic measures they have taken to quiet their KPA1500s, but none have gone on record supporting my swtchable fan profile suggestion. Therefore, given Elecraft''s huge workload these days, it will most likely never make "The List."

73, Eric WD6DBM...Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2022 09:40:18 +0000
From: "Larry (K8UT)" <K8UT at charter.net>
To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RFE KPA1500 FAN PROFILE
Message-ID: <emaa0f717b-4a53-48ab-b9b0-b498bfdda317 at ham2-pc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

>external solution FANticipator ... but this requires a computer with
wifi
FANticipator does not require WiFi, merely a computer on the LAN -
ethernet or WiFi.  The only additional connection is ethernet to the
KPA1500.

https://hamprojects.info/fanticipator-kpa1500-console-and-fan-controller/

-larry (K8UT)

------ Original Message ------
From: "eric norris via Elecraft" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: 8/28/2022 7:20:08 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] RFE KPA1500 FAN PROFILE

>May I suggest adding a command that allows users to select the more aggressive 6m fan profile on the KPA1500 for HF use?  Call it, for example, FP6; to revert back to the normal HF profile, say FPD.  These could then be loaded into FP1 and FP2--We could select the best profile for the current op.  6m ops are unaffected.
>Digital users would find a cooler running amp for RTTY and FT8, for example, as well as slow-speed CW ops and K4 users pushing the fabulous CESSB feature, which does create a hotter running KPA.
>My experiments show that just running the fans at FAN1 or FAN2 do not create sufficient airflow as the amp heats up.  Running at FAN3 keeps things cool, but can create large swings in neatsink temps during rx periods.. It also irritates the XYL, and makes copy more difficult, even with Radiosport, Heil, or Bose QC-35 noise-cancelling heatsets
>Likewise, experimenting with FAN DWELL did not solve the issue.
>There is an external solution, FANticipator, but this requires a computer with wifi, and a LAN connection to the KPA1500--more stuff that needs to work and be turned on.  FANticipator does very effectively lower PA temps AND fan noise.  I think the FP6 command will also help with noise and temps.
>The advantage of implementing  my suggestion is that it does not affect KPA1500 owners who are happy with the current HF fan profile, but can help those of us with low noise tolerance, tinnitus, or who just want a cooler KPA1500, and does it without an external Pc.
>Finally, it could be a marketing tool, since ICOM appears to be touting the PW2 as a quiet. amp.
>I would be happy to beta test this, if offered, and come back with some real numbers
>Thanks for your consideration.
>
>73, Eric WD6DBM
>