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KPA500 Fan Control

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Macy monkeys

KPA500 Fan Control

Is there any harm in setting the fan at level 2 and just leaving it
there? I would think the fan might wear out a little faster, but how
much faster? The reason I ask is that when the fan control is set to
NOR I find that the fan eventually...and understandably... kicks into
a super high speed whine on extended CW ragchews. But I have found by
setting the fan control to 2, the amp seems to like this 'pro-active'
cooling. I can ragchew to my heart's content and it never goes into
that high speed jet-taking-off or vacuum cleaner level. Has anyone
else changed their fan from NOR to 2 as a default and experienced any
side effects?

John K7FD

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Don Wilhelm

Re: KPA500 Fan Control

John,

It is good to hear that you have had success with a fan setting of 2.
Like most mechanical components, there is a wearout time, but I suspect
it is in the vicinity of 1000 to 5000 hours. That is a lot of operating
time.

If you are concerned about wearout, just turn the KPA off (or standby)
when not using it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/30/2018 10:30 AM, Monkeys wrote:

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: KPA500 Fan Control

In reply to this post by Macy monkeys

John et al:

With my KPA500 and SSB rag chews I keep the fan on NORMAL.   It does
cycle on and up from time to time.   When operating digital modes at 400
to 500 watts, I set the fan to 1. It still does move to higher speeds
during transmissions as the TEMP gets to 60 degrees or so. Then drops
back to level 1.    As to operating at 2, other than the amount of added
noise and a bit of wear, I see little disadvantage or advantage for that
matter.   At the same time, I agree that heat is the most damaging
component to solid state devices.

By the way, as my amp fan is about 4" from the wall behind it, adding
some acoustic material on the wall behind the amp I find soaks up some
of the noise.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 11/30/2018 9:30 AM, Monkeys wrote:

> Is there any harm in setting the fan at level 2 and just leaving it
> there? I would think the fan might wear out a little faster, but how
> much faster? The reason I ask is that when the fan control is set to
> NOR I find that the fan eventually...and understandably... kicks into
> a super high speed whine on extended CW ragchews. But I have found by
> setting the fan control to 2, the amp seems to like this 'pro-active'
> cooling. I can ragchew to my heart's content and it never goes into
> that high speed jet-taking-off or vacuum cleaner level. Has anyone
> else changed their fan from NOR to 2 as a default and experienced any
> side effects?
>
> John K7FD
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

KE8G-2

Re: KPA500 Fan Control

Normally, I don't use my KPA500, as I like to run the low power status
in contests. BUT, when I do kick in the amplifier, I immediately set
the fan level to 5, if it's going to be an extended period of
operation.

The amp is located about 1 foot above and 4 feet away from my head, I
use RadioSport headphones, and with them on, the fans could be doing a
screaming banshee song and I never hear a thing.

Your mileage may vary, just my observations over a several year period.

73 de Jim - KE8G<div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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On 11/30/18, Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]> wrote:

> John et al:
>
> With my KPA500 and SSB rag chews I keep the fan on NORMAL.   It does
> cycle on and up from time to time.   When operating digital modes at 400
> to 500 watts, I set the fan to 1. It still does move to higher speeds
> during transmissions as the TEMP gets to 60 degrees or so. Then drops
> back to level 1.    As to operating at 2, other than the amount of added
> noise and a bit of wear, I see little disadvantage or advantage for that
> matter.   At the same time, I agree that heat is the most damaging
> component to solid state devices.
>
> By the way, as my amp fan is about 4" from the wall behind it, adding
> some acoustic material on the wall behind the amp I find soaks up some
> of the noise.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 11/30/2018 9:30 AM, Monkeys wrote:
>> Is there any harm in setting the fan at level 2 and just leaving it
>> there? I would think the fan might wear out a little faster, but how
>> much faster? The reason I ask is that when the fan control is set to
>> NOR I find that the fan eventually...and understandably... kicks into
>> a super high speed whine on extended CW ragchews. But I have found by
>> setting the fan control to 2, the amp seems to like this 'pro-active'
>> cooling. I can ragchew to my heart's content and it never goes into
>> that high speed jet-taking-off or vacuum cleaner level. Has anyone
>> else changed their fan from NOR to 2 as a default and experienced any
>> side effects?
>>
>> John K7FD
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]