[Elecraft] KPA500 Fan Question

[Andy Durbin]

"The issue: The fan comes on in a very short time - less than 20 seconds - and the temp display runs up to 50+ degrees. If I start calling CQ or get into a QSO, it doesn’t take long for the temp to show over 60 degrees and the fan is running at max."

Max fan speed of a KPA500 is setting 6.  With a PA temperature between 60 and 65 deg C the fan should be running at level 3.  Transition to level 4 is at about 65 deg C on my KPA500.   It has to get quite a bit hotter that 60 deg C for the fan to be running "at max".

What is making the fan come on in a very short time before you start calling CQ?  Are you saying the fan runs after you power the KPA500 but before you transmit?  If so, check that KPA500 is not being continuously keyed.  That will cause enough PA dissipation to run the fans even with no RF output.

Andy, k3wyc