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Quiet fans for K3

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drewko

Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
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Gary Gregory-2

Re: Quiet fans for K3

Drew,

I don't think I have ever heard mine on #679.
I must admit my hearing is not perfect, however, I operate daily at 80w, I have no air conditioning, I operate inside my motor home in a confined area and still no sound.
I am wondering if you have an issue with the fans. Has it always been like it is now?, have you pulled them to check them?
I would suspect there may be a problem and either lubrication or a mechanical issue may be the culprit?
Sewing machine oil may help.
73
Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: "drewko" <[hidden email]>
Sent: ‎31/‎01/‎2016 8:35 AM
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
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Ken G Kopp

Re: Quiet fans for K3

I have SN 0056 and like Gary have never heard the fans. I -have-
occasionally looked to make sure they're indeed running. They're so quiet
that if they weren't I probably wouldn't know it. (;-)

73

Ken - K0PP
On Jan 30, 2016 3:44 PM, "Gary" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Drew,
>
> I don't think I have ever heard mine on #679.
> I must admit my hearing is not perfect, however, I operate daily at 80w, I
> have no air conditioning, I operate inside my motor home in a confined area
> and still no sound.
> I am wondering if you have an issue with the fans. Has it always been like
> it is now?, have you pulled them to check them?
> I would suspect there may be a problem and either lubrication or a
> mechanical issue may be the culprit?
> Sewing machine oil may help.
> 73
> Gary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "drewko" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: ‎31/‎01/‎2016 8:35 AM
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3
>
> What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
> are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
> closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
> to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
> up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
> noise.)
>
> Sources? Prices?
>
> Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
> so the fans are pretty recent model.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
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Dave Hachadorian-2

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

Search the archives for "Noctua."

You will find numerous references to the Noctua NF-A6X25R,
available at Newegg for $15. Use the mounting hardware that
comes with the Noctua, and save all the old fan stuff so you can
restore it all to original if You ever need to.

I installed these about a year ago, and they are indeed quieter
and blow more air. For a 100 watt RTTY contest, I set the fans
at minimum speed = 2, and they never speed up from that level,
despite the heavy duty cycle.

The most irritating part about the stock fans was the whiney
noise they would make while spooling up and down as they changed
speed.

If you're not a contester, you may never hear the fans, so it may
not be an issue :)

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: drewko
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 3:34 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My
original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows
are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really
starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start
winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let
alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of
years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
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Jim Finan

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

I use Noctua fans for most everything. Have used them for years and haven't had any failures. I use them for all systems I build for clients and myself. They have several varieties for each size and the ones with rubber mounts are generally the most quiet. Also have a choice of 3 and 4 pin plugs.

While most of their fans come with rubber mounting hardware, the ones I suggest have rubber inserts surrounding the bolt/screw holes‎.

Noctua is an Austrian company but fans are built in the orient. Top quality with 'SSO2' bearings.

Both Amazon and Newegg have them and the prices generally run from about $15-18. Just make sure the specs (CFM) match (or are better).

While I haven't measured them on mine, they look like 80mm.

Jim
AB4AC
Jim Finan
‎
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Original Message
From: drewko
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 5:35 PM
To: [hidden email]
Reply To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
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Guy Olinger K2AV

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

This was discussed extensively in the past including alternate
brands, model numbers and sources. It's somewhere in the archives and
better than starting over from scratch.

73, Guy K2AV

On Saturday, January 30, 2016, drewko <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
> are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are closed
> and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts to bug me.
> It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding up.. (In the
> din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan noise.)
>
> Sources? Prices?
>
> Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old so
> the fans are pretty recent model.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Dave Hachadorian-2

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

Here's a more specific link to the fans that I used:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608032&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: drewko
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 3:34 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My
original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows
are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really
starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start
winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let
alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of
years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
______________________________________________________________
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KENT TRIMBLE

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Ditto with sn 21. Have never heard the fans.

K9ZTV

> On Jan 30, 2016, at 4:51 PM, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have SN 0056 and like Gary have never heard the fans. I -have-
> occasionally looked to make sure they're indeed running. They're so quiet
> that if they weren't I probably wouldn't know it. (;-)
>
> 73
>
> Ken - K0PP
>> On Jan 30, 2016 3:44 PM, "Gary" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Drew,
>>
>> I don't think I have ever heard mine on #679.
>> I must admit my hearing is not perfect, however, I operate daily at 80w, I
>> have no air conditioning, I operate inside my motor home in a confined area
>> and still no sound.
>> I am wondering if you have an issue with the fans. Has it always been like
>> it is now?, have you pulled them to check them?
>> I would suspect there may be a problem and either lubrication or a
>> mechanical issue may be the culprit?
>> Sewing machine oil may help.
>> 73
>> Gary
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "drewko" <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: ‎31/‎01/‎2016 8:35 AM
>> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3
>>
>> What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
>> are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
>> closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
>> to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
>> up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
>> noise.)
>>
>> Sources? Prices?
>>
>> Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
>> so the fans are pretty recent model.
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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 keng

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

New Fan : Noctua NF-A6x25 FLXAirflow : 17 cfm (29.2 m3h converted to cfm)Noise : 19.3dbSpeed : 3000 RPM (at 12 v)Static Pressure : 2.18 mmCutent : 120 mA (.12 A)

Original Fan : UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2Airflow : 15.4 cfmNoise : 24.8Speed : 3000 RPM (at 12v)Static Pressure : 2.21mmCurrent : 100 mA

From: drewko <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 5:34 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Guy Olinger K2AV

I was the one who pretty much started this whole thing way back when
here are the specs
New Fan : Noctua NF-A6x25 FLXAirflow : 17 cfm (29.2 m3h converted to cfm)Noise : 19.3dbSpeed : 3000 RPM (at 12 v)Static Pressure : 2.18 mmCutent : 120 mA (.12 A)

Original Fan : UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2Airflow : 15.4 cfmNoise : 24.8Speed : 3000 RPM (at 12v)Static Pressure : 2.21mmCurrent : 100 mA

From: Guy Olinger K2AV <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

This was discussed extensively in the past including alternate
brands, model numbers and sources. It's somewhere in the archives and
better than starting over from scratch.

73, Guy K2AV

On Saturday, January 30, 2016, drewko <[hidden email]> wrote:

--
Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
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Edward R Cole

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

I never hear the fan on my KXPA-100 - Ha!

Of course it doesn't have one but works fine for up to 110w with my
KX3 or K3/10. Made several 6m-SSB contacts with 80w for the ARRL VHF
Contest this weekend.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[hidden email]

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Jim Finan

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Jim Finan

Update: measured the fans and they're 60mm.

Jim
AB4AC

Jim Finan
‎
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Original Message
From: Jim Finan
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 6:19 PM
To: drewko; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

I use Noctua fans for most everything. Have used them for years and haven't had any failures. I use them for all systems I build for clients and myself. They have several varieties for each size and the ones with rubber mounts are generally the most quiet. Also have a choice of 3 and 4 pin plugs.

While most of their fans come with rubber mounting hardware, the ones I suggest have rubber inserts surrounding the bolt/screw holes‎.

Noctua is an Austrian company but fans are built in the orient. Top quality with 'SSO2' bearings.

Both Amazon and Newegg have them and the prices generally run from about $15-18. Just make sure the specs (CFM) match (or are better).

While I haven't measured them on mine, they look like 80mm.

Jim
AB4AC
Jim Finan
‎
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Original Message
From: drewko
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 5:35 PM
To: [hidden email]
Reply To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
noise.)

Sources? Prices?

Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
so the fans are pretty recent model.

73,
Drew
AF2Z
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by drewko

Hi Drew,

look here please:
http://ok1rp.blogspot.cz/2015/08/elecraft-k3-fans-noise-fp-high-temp.html

Hope it helps,

73 - Petr, OK1RP

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

Brendon Whateley

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Dave Hachadorian-2

So a question for the Elecraft team: Is there a reason you guys don't use
quieter fans straight from the factory.

I had a business partner who hated fan noise in computers, so would always
replace the stock fans with quieter ones (better blade profiles and lower
vibrations) and the cost never seemed to be much more than the stock ones.
Even though I thought the standard fans didn't make noise, the difference
was quite obvious when you ran a pair of machines, one upgraded, the other
not. Lots of people don't care, but some care a lot, if the price is
similar, why not start with the quietest ones?

- Brendon
KK6AYI

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Dave Hachadorian <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Search the archives for "Noctua."
>
> You will find numerous references to the Noctua NF-A6X25R, available at
> Newegg for $15. Use the mounting hardware that comes with the Noctua, and
> save all the old fan stuff so you can restore it all to original if You
> ever need to.
>
> I installed these about a year ago, and they are indeed quieter and blow
> more air. For a 100 watt RTTY contest, I set the fans at minimum speed =
> 2, and they never speed up from that level, despite the heavy duty cycle.
>
> The most irritating part about the stock fans was the whiney noise they
> would make while spooling up and down as they changed speed.
>
> If you're not a contester, you may never hear the fans, so it may not be
> an issue :)
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Yuma, AZ
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: drewko
> Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 3:34 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3
>
> What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
> are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
> closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
> to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
> up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
> noise.)
>
> Sources? Prices?
>
> Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
> so the fans are pretty recent model.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Clay Autery

Re: Quiet fans for K3

You can BEND the laws of physics, but you can't break them. Within the
package size dictated, you can only move so much air in a given
timeframe, "silently".

Quiet is at very best a secondary consideration when spec'ing a fan to
protect a multi $K transceiver.

If you are really interested in all the factors that I consider when
setting the specs for a part in a thermal design, contact me offline.

BOTH of the fans that Elecraft have chose/are using are quality
ball-bearing units, cool properly, and meet the other engineering
limitations.

You can go broke purchasing "boutique" parts for ancillary purposes.

All that aside... I will likely IMMEDIATELY replace my stock fans with
units that meet the airflow, et al requirements, but that meet MY
requirements, too. I'll put the stock fans in the box that will hold
any OEM parts needed to return the set to 100% original when my heirs
sell my estate. <grin>

Have a super day!

______________________
Clay Autery

On 2/3/2016 11:31 AM, Brendon Whateley wrote:

> So a question for the Elecraft team: Is there a reason you guys don't use
> quieter fans straight from the factory.
>
> I had a business partner who hated fan noise in computers, so would always
> replace the stock fans with quieter ones (better blade profiles and lower
> vibrations) and the cost never seemed to be much more than the stock ones.
> Even though I thought the standard fans didn't make noise, the difference
> was quite obvious when you ran a pair of machines, one upgraded, the other
> not. Lots of people don't care, but some care a lot, if the price is
> similar, why not start with the quietest ones?
>
> - Brendon
> KK6AYI
>
> On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Dave Hachadorian <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> Search the archives for "Noctua."
>>
>> You will find numerous references to the Noctua NF-A6X25R, available at
>> Newegg for $15. Use the mounting hardware that comes with the Noctua, and
>> save all the old fan stuff so you can restore it all to original if You
>> ever need to.
>>
>> I installed these about a year ago, and they are indeed quieter and blow
>> more air. For a 100 watt RTTY contest, I set the fans at minimum speed =
>> 2, and they never speed up from that level, despite the heavy duty cycle.
>>
>> The most irritating part about the stock fans was the whiney noise they
>> would make while spooling up and down as they changed speed.
>>
>> If you're not a contester, you may never hear the fans, so it may not be
>> an issue :)
>>
>> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
>> Yuma, AZ
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: drewko
>> Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 3:34 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3
>>
>> What are the current options for quiet fans for the K3? My original fans
>> are pretty quiet but at this time of the year when the windows are
>> closed and the ambient noise level is nil, the fan noise really starts
>> to bug me. It's the very slight rattle they make when they start winding
>> up.. (In the din of summertime, can't hear myself think, let alone fan
>> noise.)
>>
>> Sources? Prices?
>>
>> Are the newer Elecraft fans quiet? My PA is only a couple of years old
>> so the fans are pretty recent model.
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>>
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>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: Quiet fans for K3

So, what is noise? It's energy.

Some of it goes into the fan and moves air, some is from turbulence off
the blades, and some heats the bearing.

There are quieter fans that still move lots of air. They have carefully
shaped blades and all of the flashing is cleaned off so the edges are
smooth. Extra steps that cost more.

I've replaced a lot of computer fans. If the computer sits next to me,
I get quiet ones. If it's in a server closet, I use higher-speed, noisy
fans, preferably ones with a very high MTBF, because I won't be there to
hear the server get quiet.

73 -- Lynn

On 2/3/2016 1:26 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
> You can BEND the laws of physics, but you can't break them. Within the
> package size dictated, you can only move so much air in a given
> timeframe, "silently".

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Clay Autery

Re: Quiet fans for K3

Well, there are laws of economics for manufacturers, too. And they are
at times more rigid than those in physics. <grin>

Yes, I've been doing thermal design for 25 years. You give me a big
enough pile of money, I'll deliver your target temp at target location,
with </= max specified "noise".

73,

______________________
Clay Autery

On 2/3/2016 3:43 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> So, what is noise? It's energy.
>
> Some of it goes into the fan and moves air, some is from turbulence
> off the blades, and some heats the bearing.
>
> There are quieter fans that still move lots of air. They have
> carefully shaped blades and all of the flashing is cleaned off so the
> edges are smooth. Extra steps that cost more.
>
> I've replaced a lot of computer fans. If the computer sits next to
> me, I get quiet ones. If it's in a server closet, I use higher-speed,
> noisy fans, preferably ones with a very high MTBF, because I won't be
> there to hear the server get quiet.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
> On 2/3/2016 1:26 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> You can BEND the laws of physics, but you can't break them. Within the
>> package size dictated, you can only move so much air in a given
>> timeframe, "silently".
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Jim Brown-10

Re: Quiet fans for K3

Exactly right, Clay. It is, indeed, a matter of compromise between cost
and how many customers care about whatever the characteristic you're
trying to optimize. At least 90% (and 100% of my serious operation) is
wearing headphones, and the times I'm using the speaker I'm monitoring
while in the shack doing something else. So I've NEVER been bothered by
the fans in my K3/100.

I DO hear the fan in my KPA500 when I push the TX duty cycle, so I've
guessing that a few bucks spent on making it quieter without
compromising cooling would be appreciated by a much higher percentage of
users.

73, Jim K9YC

On Wed,2/3/2016 1:51 PM, Clay Autery wrote:

> Well, there are laws of economics for manufacturers, too. And they are
> at times more rigid than those in physics. <grin>
>
> Yes, I've been doing thermal design for 25 years. You give me a big
> enough pile of money, I'll deliver your target temp at target location,
> with </= max specified "noise".
>
> 73,
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery
>
> On 2/3/2016 3:43 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>> So, what is noise? It's energy.
>>
>> Some of it goes into the fan and moves air, some is from turbulence
>> off the blades, and some heats the bearing.
>>
>> There are quieter fans that still move lots of air. They have
>> carefully shaped blades and all of the flashing is cleaned off so the
>> edges are smooth. Extra steps that cost more.
>>
>> I've replaced a lot of computer fans. If the computer sits next to
>> me, I get quiet ones. If it's in a server closet, I use higher-speed,
>> noisy fans, preferably ones with a very high MTBF, because I won't be
>> there to hear the server get quiet.
>>
>> 73 -- Lynn
>>
>> On 2/3/2016 1:26 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
>>> You can BEND the laws of physics, but you can't break them. Within the
>>> package size dictated, you can only move so much air in a given
>>> timeframe, "silently".
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Brendon Whateley

I would be lead to believe economics, Most will never be bothered by the noise of the stock fans.

My hearing is a little messed up from being in the Navy and the fan noise added to the background noise.
So I searched out an replacement, and the replacement fans have now made the radio a pleasure to listen to.

But then again I hear things others don't and not hear things others do.

From: Brendon Whateley <[hidden email]>
To: Reflector Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

So a question for the Elecraft team: Is there a reason you guys don't use
quieter fans straight from the factory.

I had a business partner who hated fan noise in computers, so would always
replace the stock fans with quieter ones (better blade profiles and lower
vibrations) and the cost never seemed to be much more than the stock ones.
Even though I thought the standard fans didn't make noise, the difference
was quite obvious when you ran a pair of machines, one upgraded, the other
not. Lots of people don't care, but some care a lot, if the price is
similar, why not start with the quietest ones?

- Brendon
KK6AYI

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Dave Hachadorian <[hidden email]>
wrote:

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k6dgw

Re: Quiet fans for K3

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

My K3 has fans?

I admit, I'm all headphones, all the time. I'm vaguely aware that my
KPA500 has a fan, I sometimes hear it in the RTTY Round-Up.

I once had to explain the Fundamental Axiom of Engineering to a USAF
General who was continually dissatisfied with the schedule increases
with each of his Change Orders: "Sir ... Good, Fast, Cheap. Choose two."

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016
- www.cqp.org

On 2/3/2016 2:35 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> Exactly right, Clay. It is, indeed, a matter of compromise between cost
> and how many customers care about whatever the characteristic you're
> trying to optimize. At least 90% (and 100% of my serious operation) is
> wearing headphones, and the times I'm using the speaker I'm monitoring
> while in the shack doing something else. So I've NEVER been bothered by
> the fans in my K3/100.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

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