Quieter fans on the K3 ?

[Elecraft mailing list]

A few years ago I replaced the stock fans on my K3 with the Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX fans and rubber mounts.  The new ones are much quieter and the low rumble is gone.

Last night I got thinking about the fans and about the rumble of the stock ones. 
The question I now have is I wonder if the low rumble would be cured with just the use of the rubber mounts removing the need for new fans.

If someone is looking to quiet their fans wants to experiment with just replacing the mounting screws with the rubber mounts.  I would be interested in knowing how much of a change they notice.

Thank you
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[Clay Autery]

Fan selection depends on a LOT of different factors....  rated fan speed
vs. voltage applied, CFM vs fan speed, dB vs. speed vs. CFM. Min/Max
current required, dimensions including thickness, type of bearing
system, etc, etc...
Ambient temperature....  Inlet restrictions, outlet restrictions,
internal obstructive flow....  thermal loading, etc etc...
Isolation mounts are simply one consideration.

BUT, anyone considering the replacement of stock fans should insure that
the replacement part supplies the same or more air volume at each speed
level.... unless you're planning to do a detailed study of your
operating condition to make sure the air delivered will accomplish the
thermal control required.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2017 10:27 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> A few years ago I replaced the stock fans on my K3 with the Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX fans and rubber mounts.  The new ones are much quieter and the low rumble is gone.
>
> Last night I got thinking about the fans and about the rumble of the stock ones.
> The question I now have is I wonder if the low rumble would be cured with just the use of the rubber mounts removing the need for new fans.
>
> If someone is looking to quiet their fans wants to experiment with just replacing the mounting screws with the rubber mounts.  I would be interested in knowing how much of a change they notice.
>
> Thank you

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[Elecraft mailing list]

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: Clay Autery <[hidden email]>
 To: [hidden email]
 Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2017 3:48 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Quieter fans on the K3 ?
   
Fan selection depends on a LOT of different factors....  rated fan speed
vs. voltage applied, CFM vs fan speed, dB vs. speed vs. CFM. Min/Max
current required, dimensions including thickness, type of bearing
system, etc, etc...
Ambient temperature....  Inlet restrictions, outlet restrictions,
internal obstructive flow....  thermal loading, etc etc...
Isolation mounts are simply one consideration.

BUT, anyone considering the replacement of stock fans should insure that
the replacement part supplies the same or more air volume at each speed
level.... unless you're planning to do a detailed study of your
operating condition to make sure the air delivered will accomplish the
thermal control required.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2017 10:27 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> A few years ago I replaced the stock fans on my K3 with the Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX fans and rubber mounts.  The new ones are much quieter and the low rumble is gone.
>
> Last night I got thinking about the fans and about the rumble of the stock ones.
> The question I now have is I wonder if the low rumble would be cured with just the use of the rubber mounts removing the need for new fans.
>
> If someone is looking to quiet their fans wants to experiment with just replacing the mounting screws with the rubber mounts.  I would be interested in knowing how much of a change they notice.
>
> Thank you

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[Clay Autery]

It would appear you made a good choice in fan selection....  FYI, I use
sorbothane for isolators and other damping needs.  Works great.  Noise
reduction depends on making sure to interrupt the connection between the
fan body and the mounting point in the case.... to include not letting
the same fastener touch both the solid fan chassis and the radio
chassis, etc. Next is to prevent airflow short circuits... et al.

The additional 10mm of case thickness doesn't interfere with anything?

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2017 4:33 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> 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
>
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[Elecraft mailing list]

No problem with them being a bit thicker as the fans are external



      From: Clay Autery <[hidden email]>
 To: [hidden email]
 Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2017 5:55 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Quieter fans on the K3 ?
   
It would appear you made a good choice in fan selection....  FYI, I use
sorbothane for isolators and other damping needs.  Works great.  Noise
reduction depends on making sure to interrupt the connection between the
fan body and the mounting point in the case.... to include not letting
the same fastener touch both the solid fan chassis and the radio
chassis, etc. Next is to prevent airflow short circuits... et al.

The additional 10mm of case thickness doesn't interfere with anything?

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2017 4:33 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> 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
>
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[Clay Autery]

Yep... I forgot...  :)

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2017 5:12 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:
> No problem with them being a bit thicker as the fans are external
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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