KPA500

[Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2]

Hello,

Just checking cooling performance my new KPA500.

Running 330W output in RTTY, 50% duty cycle.
SWR is OK: 1 : 1.1 or so.
Ambiant temp = 25C

Fan runs at speed 4, occasionally 5
PA TMP hovers between 65 and 70 C



Is this normal?


73
Arie PA3A


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Sounds about right to me.  It varies a lot with the band in use .. mine
runs hotter on higher frequency bands.  I installed (reversible)
modifications in my KPA500 to improve cooling just to keep the fan noise
down.

Don K7FJ

On 6/23/2013 2:33 AM, Arie Kleingeld PA3A wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Just checking cooling performance my new KPA500.
>
> Running 330W output in RTTY, 50% duty cycle.
> SWR is OK: 1 : 1.1 or so.
> Ambiant temp = 25C
>
> Fan runs at speed 4, occasionally 5
> PA TMP hovers between 65 and 70 C
>
>
>
> Is this normal?
>
>
> 73
> Arie PA3A
>

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[mcduffie]

On Sun, 23 Jun 2013 11:33:53 +0200, Arie Kleingeld PA3A wrote:

> Running 330W output in RTTY, 50% duty cycle.
> SWR is OK: 1 : 1.1 or so.
> Ambiant temp = 25C
>
> Fan runs at speed 4, occasionally 5
> PA TMP hovers between 65 and 70 C

I'm guessing would be fairly normal.  I sure wouldn't run it that heavy on a 50%
duty-cycle operation (even if the factory says you can).  I just don't like
running things hot.  Mine hits full 747 turbine mode pretty easily.

Gary
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[Irwin KD3TB]

I would be interested if Elecraft has any recommendations on their
experience. I have used the KPA500 in one RTTY Contest at around 350w. When
in a Run Mode (CQ'ing) the amp heats up pretty fast and the fan runs at a
high speed continuously.

Thanks, Irwin KD3TB

On Sunday, June 23, 2013, wrote:

> On Sun, 23 Jun 2013 11:33:53 +0200, Arie Kleingeld PA3A wrote:
>
> > Running 330W output in RTTY, 50% duty cycle.
> > SWR is OK: 1 : 1.1 or so.
> > Ambiant temp = 25C
> >
> > Fan runs at speed 4, occasionally 5
> > PA TMP hovers between 65 and 70 C
>
> I'm guessing would be fairly normal.  I sure wouldn't run it that heavy on
> a 50%
> duty-cycle operation (even if the factory says you can).  I just don't like
> running things hot.  Mine hits full 747 turbine mode pretty easily.
>
> Gary
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--
Irwin KD3TB
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[Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2]

Don,

That sounds interesting!
Could you share those mods? I'm taking the KPA500 on a DXpedition to hot
Africa in September and proper cooling will be an issue then.

Arie PA3A


Op 23-6-2013 19:11, [hidden email] schreef:
> Sounds about right to me.  It varies a lot with the band in use ..
> mine runs hotter on higher frequency bands.  I installed (reversible)
> modifications in my KPA500 to improve cooling just to keep the fan
> noise down.
>
> Don K7FJ
>

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[gregg.w6izt1]

We ran 8 KPA500s on Malpelo last year at full rated power with no heat
related issues.

Gregg
W6IZT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Arie Kleingeld PA3A
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 5:23 AM
To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500

Don,

That sounds interesting!
Could you share those mods? I'm taking the KPA500 on a DXpedition to hot
Africa in September and proper cooling will be an issue then.

Arie PA3A


Op 23-6-2013 19:11, [hidden email] schreef:
> Sounds about right to me.  It varies a lot with the band in use ..
> mine runs hotter on higher frequency bands.  I installed (reversible)
> modifications in my KPA500 to improve cooling just to keep the fan
> noise down.
>
> Don K7FJ
>

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[Fred Smith-2]

Oh yes and I worked about all of them with my all Elecraft gear 8>). Wish
all DXpedition's use K3's/KPA500's at least would have a lot more confirmed
here for sure.


73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 2573--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100
P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gregg W6IZT
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 9:02 AM
To: 'Arie Kleingeld PA3A'; [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500

We ran 8 KPA500s on Malpelo last year at full rated power with no heat
related issues.

Gregg
W6IZT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Arie Kleingeld PA3A
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 5:23 AM
To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500

Don,

That sounds interesting!
Could you share those mods? I'm taking the KPA500 on a DXpedition to hot
Africa in September and proper cooling will be an issue then.

Arie PA3A


Op 23-6-2013 19:11, [hidden email] schreef:
> Sounds about right to me.  It varies a lot with the band in use ..
> mine runs hotter on higher frequency bands.  I installed (reversible)
> modifications in my KPA500 to improve cooling just to keep the fan
> noise down.
>
> Don K7FJ
>

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