[K3] Fan Replacement

[Joe Word-2]

Has anyone replaced the K3 fans with a quieter model? If so, please provide
the model number and source.

The first K3 I built the fans were very quite, but the last one I build was
pretty loud and sold it. I am thinking of getting another if I can find a
quieter fan.

Please note: I am not looking for comments that your fans are quite or
loud, don't want to clog up the list. I know what fans they did use and
what model they use now (as of a year ago), so do not need that info.

Thanks,

Joe  N9VX
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[Elecraft mailing list]

I went with the Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX  I purchaced them from Newegg

Please Note: Many here will have a cow that you did this but it woks great for me



New Fan: Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX
Airflow: 17CFM (29.2 m3h converted to cfm)
Noise: 19.3db
Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12 v)
Static Pressure: 2.18 mm
Cutent: 120 mA  (.12 A)


Original Fan: UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2
Airflow: 15.4 cmf at 24.8db
Noise: 24.8
Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12v)
Static Pressure: 2.21mm
Current: 100 mA









________________________________
 From: Joe Word <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 5:19 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
 

Has anyone replaced the K3 fans with a quieter model? If so, please provide
the model number and source.

The first K3 I built the fans were very quite, but the last one I build was
pretty loud and sold it. I am thinking of getting another if I can find a
quieter fan.

Please note: I am not looking for comments that your fans are quite or
loud, don't want to clog up the list. I know what fans they did use and
what model they use now (as of a year ago), so do not need that info.

Thanks,

Joe  N9VX
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Henry,

 From the fan specs, it sounds like you have found a suitable
replacement.  I do not know how that fits with the Elecraft overall
design parameters, but on the surface (based on the fan specs alone), it
sounds like a winner.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/16/2014 7:10 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:

> I went with the Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX  I purchaced them from Newegg
>
> Please Note: Many here will have a cow that you did this but it woks great for me
>
>
>
> New Fan: Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX
> Airflow: 17CFM (29.2 m3h converted to cfm)
> Noise: 19.3db
> Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12 v)
> Static Pressure: 2.18 mm
> Cutent: 120 mA  (.12 A)
>
>
> Original Fan: UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2
> Airflow: 15.4 cmf at 24.8db
> Noise: 24.8
> Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12v)
> Static Pressure: 2.21mm
> Current: 100 mA
>

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[KB9WMJ]

The early K3 fan was a Elina HDF6015L-12LB

Here are it's specs:
Airflow: 10.5 cmf
Noise: 21 dB
Speed: 2800 RPM
Static Pressure: 1.5mm
Current: 75 mA

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1600097.pdf

Keith KB9WMJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Word" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 4:19 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement


Has anyone replaced the K3 fans with a quieter model? If so, please provide
the model number and source.

The first K3 I built the fans were very quite, but the last one I build was
pretty loud and sold it. I am thinking of getting another if I can find a
quieter fan.

Please note: I am not looking for comments that your fans are quite or
loud, don't want to clog up the list. I know what fans they did use and
what model they use now (as of a year ago), so do not need that info.

Thanks,

Joe  N9VX

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[VK7JB]

Hello Harry,

I'm about to follow your lead and install the Noctua fans in my K3. Did you have to use alternate mounting hardware for the fans? I see that the Noctua fan is 25mm thick, vs 15mm for the stock Utech fan and so the mounting bolts will be too short to hold the Noctua fan?

Thanks,
John
VK7JB
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[Elecraft mailing list]

I used the included Hardware with the  Noctua Fans




________________________________
 From: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2014 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
 

Hello Harry,

I'm about to follow your lead and install the Noctua fans in my K3. Did you have to use alternate mounting hardware for the fans? I see that the Noctua fan is 25mm thick, vs 15mm for the stock Utech fan and so the mounting bolts will be too short to hold the Noctua fan?

Thanks,
John
VK7JB
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[VK7JB]

Hello Group,

I just want to share my experience in case it's of interest to others.

I have excellent hearing and I have K3 #5102 and while it's a rig with outstanding capabilities, the fan noise has always bothered me. My K3 has the Utec fans and even on low speed, there's something about the quality of the fan noise that's bothersome, quite apart from the volume, which I find distracting even through over-ear headphones.

Early on, I wondered if I had faulty fans from a bad batch. I replaced them with a new pair from Elecraft, but they were as noisy as the originals.

Well, today the problem is fixed. Inspired by Harry's posts on the topic, I swapped over the Utecs for a pair of Noctua NF-A6x25s. It took 20 minutes.  The difference took me by surprise.  They are very, very quiet even in a silent room and I can't hear them through the headphones at all. The quality of the sound is softer somehow - just like moving air and without mechanical overtones! I worked CW for an hour tonight to get the rig warm and these fans have transformed the experience.  I'm very pleased. Thanks Harry.

73,
John
VK7JB




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[Elecraft mailing list]

Thank you

That is the same I found

I hear the air move but not the fans

For me it really improved my listening pleasure




________________________________
 From: Dr John H Farmer <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 7:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
 

Hello Group,

I just want to share my experience in case it's of interest to others.

I have excellent hearing and I have K3 #5102 and while it's a rig with outstanding capabilities, the fan noise has always bothered me. My K3 has the Utec fans and even on low speed, there's something about the quality of the fan noise that's bothersome, quite apart from the volume, which I find distracting even through over-ear headphones.

Early on, I wondered if I had faulty fans from a bad batch. I replaced them with a new pair from Elecraft, but they were as noisy as the originals.

Well, today the problem is fixed. Inspired by Harry's posts on the topic, I swapped over the Utecs for a pair of Noctua NF-A6x25s. It took 20 minutes.  The difference took me by surprise.  They are very, very quiet even in a silent room and I can't hear them through the headphones at all. The quality of the sound is softer somehow - just like moving air and without mechanical overtones! I worked CW for an hour tonight to get the rig warm and these fans have transformed the experience.  I'm very pleased. Thanks Harry.

73,
John
VK7JB




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[VK7JB]

Yes Jim, the published specs of the Noctua and Utec fans have been presented in this thread. The Noctua manufacturer's warranty is 6 years. It seems they have confidence in the fan's durability.

John
VK7JB

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

On 20/08/2014, at 2:19, Harry Yingst <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It was the easy way out and looked the nicest
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: John Farmer <[hidden email]>
> To: 'Harry Yingst' <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 10:13 PM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
>
> Thanks Harry.  I’ll do the same.  Trimming the contact plug down will be simpler than cutting it off and wiring on a 2 pin.
>  
> Thanks for your advice.
>  
> John
> VK7JB
>  
>
>
> From: Harry Yingst [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Tuesday, 19 August 2014 10:17 AM
> To: Dr John H Farmer
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
>  
> I use the Hardware that came with the fans.
>  
> I trimmed the 3 contact plug down to 2 and removed the 3rd (unneeded) wire
>  
> I attached the grills with screws (supplied with the fan)
>  
>  
>  
> From: Dr John H Farmer <[hidden email]>
> To: Harry Yingst <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 6:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
>  
> Thank you Harry.
>  
> Can you help with a couple of questions?
>  
> Did you use the Noctua-supplied, rubber/silicone plugs to mount the fans to the K3?
>  
> How did you attach the Elecraft-supplied fan grill/finger protectors to the fan. I don't think the Noctua fans come with a grille?
>  
> Did you have to cut off the Noctua 3 pin connectors and replace them with 2 pin?
>  
> My fans arrive today and I'm looking forward to a quieter K3.
>  
> Thanks for your advice.
>  
> 73,
>  
> John
> VK7JB
>
> Dr John Farmer MBBS(Hons1) FRACGP ACCAM
> Certificate of Travel Health (ISTM)
> Clinical Director Travel Medicine Services
> Aviation Medical Examiner
> City Doctors & Travel Clinic
> 188 Collins St
> Hobart  TAS  7000
> Australia
> P [phone]
> F + 61 3 6231 6717
>  
>
> On 19 Aug 2014, at 1:04, Harry Yingst <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I used the included Hardware with the  Noctua Fans
>  
>  
>  
> From: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2014 8:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
>
> Hello Harry,
>
> I'm about to follow your lead and install the Noctua fans in my K3. Did you have to use alternate mounting hardware for the fans? I see that the Noctua fan is 25mm thick, vs 15mm for the stock Utech fan and so the mounting bolts will be too short to hold the Noctua fan?
>
> Thanks,
> John
> VK7JB
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>  
>
>

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[Gary Hembree-2]

Thanks to Harry and John for the excellent advice on the replacement fan.
The UTEC fans that came with my most recent KPA3 (September 2013) were very
annoying to me since I have a quiet radio room with no amplifier.  The
problem was not so much one of volume as sound quality.  The fan noise was
buzzy, for lack of a better description, probably from a combination of
undamped mounting and poor bearing design.

For those who want to replace their fans with the Noctua NF-A6x25 I have a
method to make the installation neater.  Obtain two Molex two-terminal 0.1"
connectors (WMLX-101 from Fry's Electronics or equivalent) before your new
fans arrive.  Follow Harry's instructions to use the Noctua silicon rubber
anti-vibration mounts to attach the fans to the Elecraft fan panel and to
attach the Elecraft fan screens with the Noctua-supplied screws.  Some care
is required when pulling the mounts through the fan mounting holes so you
don't bend the aluminum fan panel at the thin points.

Measure the two different lead lengths on the old fans and cut the
respective new fan leads to the same lengths plus a little extra to crimp
the new Molex connectors on.  Cut the black sleeve back to expose enough
wire length to crimp on the Molex terminals and attach the housing.  Strip
the red and black wires on each lead and crimp and solder on the new
connector terminals.  Remember the red fan leads go to the left when viewed
from the rear of the K3.  Planning the orientation of the wires is important
for the neatest end result.  Fold the yellow wire back into the sleeve and
snap the terminals into the connector block in the correct orientation on
each lead (so that the red wire is on the left when installed).  Plug the
two connector blocks onto the KPA3 fan pins and attach the fan panel per the
original KPA3 instructions.

You will now have minimal interference from the fan leads in the space
between the panel and KPA3 heat sink.  Using this technique is most
important when you have coaxial cables from other accessories occupying the
same area, as I do.

Enjoy the quiet fans - I am!

73
Gary, N7IR

John Farmer <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I'll do the same.  Trimming the contact plug down will be
> simpler than cutting it off and wiring on a 2 pin.

Harry Yingst [ <mailto:[hidden email]>] wrote:
> I use the Hardware that came with the fans.
> I trimmed the 3 contact plug down to 2 and removed the 3rd (unneeded) wire
> I attached the grills with screws (supplied with the fan)

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[VK7JB]

Hi Gary,

I had thought about re-wiring the fans with 2 pin Molex connectors ( I have a packet of them here) but took Harry's lead and trimmed down the 3 pin instead. It was easy and the result very neat - the plastic is soft and easily cut with a hobby knife. I cable tied the excess lead lengths and tucked them out of the way behind the fans. I was worried about whether the excess would get in the way of other things inside the cabinet, but so far so good. I do think your way is tidier though. May re wire my fans soon...

Back to my whisper quiet K3! :)
73,
John
VK7JB



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[Elecraft mailing list]

Thank you, If I get ambitious I may redo the connectors some day.
My only complaint was the color of the fans, I would have like them in black.


My shack is very quiet and I even have very quiet fans in my PC.
(The loudest thing in the shack is the air vent from the Central air)


I'm glad others have found this to be a worthwhile mod.



 


________________________________
 From: Gary Hembree <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft List Server <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Fan Replacement
 

Thanks to Harry and John for the excellent advice on the replacement fan.
The UTEC fans that came with my most recent KPA3 (September 2013) were very
annoying to me since I have a quiet radio room with no amplifier.  The
problem was not so much one of volume as sound quality.  The fan noise was
buzzy, for lack of a better description, probably from a combination of
undamped mounting and poor bearing design.

For those who want to replace their fans with the Noctua NF-A6x25 I have a
method to make the installation neater.  Obtain two Molex two-terminal 0.1"
connectors (WMLX-101 from Fry's Electronics or equivalent) before your new
fans arrive.  Follow Harry's instructions to use the Noctua silicon rubber
anti-vibration mounts to attach the fans to the Elecraft fan panel and to
attach the Elecraft fan screens with the Noctua-supplied screws.  Some care
is required when pulling the mounts through the fan mounting holes so you
don't bend the aluminum fan panel at the thin points.

Measure the two different lead lengths on the old fans and cut the
respective new fan leads to the same lengths plus a little extra to crimp
the new Molex connectors on.  Cut the black sleeve back to expose enough
wire length to crimp on the Molex terminals and attach the housing.  Strip
the red and black wires on each lead and crimp and solder on the new
connector terminals.  Remember the red fan leads go to the left when viewed
from the rear of the K3.  Planning the orientation of the wires is important
for the neatest end result.  Fold the yellow wire back into the sleeve and
snap the terminals into the connector block in the correct orientation on
each lead (so that the red wire is on the left when installed).  Plug the
two connector blocks onto the KPA3 fan pins and attach the fan panel per the
original KPA3 instructions.

You will now have minimal interference from the fan leads in the space
between the panel and KPA3 heat sink.  Using this technique is most
important when you have coaxial cables from other accessories occupying the
same area, as I do.

Enjoy the quiet fans - I am!

73
Gary, N7IR

John Farmer <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I'll do the same.  Trimming the contact plug down will be
> simpler than cutting it off and wiring on a 2 pin.

Harry Yingst [ <mailto:[hidden email]>] wrote:
> I use the Hardware that came with the fans.
> I trimmed the 3 contact plug down to 2 and removed the 3rd (unneeded) wire
> I attached the grills with screws (supplied with the fan)

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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Dear Gary and John,

just small questions about the Noctua fans replacement.
How did you re-wired 3-wires Noctuas to K3 2-wires connection? Just cut the
yellow wire?

Also I am interresting about the details of "silicon rubber
anti-vibration mounts to attach the fans to the Elecraft fan panel and to
attach the Elecraft fan screens with the Noctua-supplied screws"...

Maybe some picture to email will be helpful please.

Many thanks guys,

Petr, OK1RP




-----
73 - Petr, OK1RP
"Apple & Elecraft freak"
B:http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2HGPoDx
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2FmwvDt
--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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