error fpga fan speed

Douglas Maxwell

Gene, my 6500 was opened up before, approx 2 years ago to reattach the active heatsink to the FPGA, it was also cleaned out at that stage. This time there was only a light dusting over the blades, but 1 hours effort for peace of mind was worth it for me. There are 4 fans visible when you open the underside of the 6500, 2 large fans on either side that you can see from the outside and 2 fans within the rf screen box which you can't see from the outside. The ones in the rf screen box are mini fans mounted within heatsinks that are "stuck" onto the Xilinx virtex 6 FPGA and the TI Da Vinci processor chips.

Douglas Maxwell

Gene, my 6500 was opened up before, approx 2 years ago to reattach the active heatsink to the FPGA, it was also cleaned out at that stage. This time there was only a light dusting over the blades, but 1 hours effort for peace of mind was worth it for me. There are 4 fans visible when you open the underside of the 6500, 2 large fans on either side that you can see from the outside and 2 fans within the rf screen box which you can't see from the outside. The ones in the rf screen box are mini fans mounted within heatsinks that are "stuck" onto the Xilinx virtex 6 FPGA and the TI Da Vinci processor chips.

Michael Aust

So does the 6700 have Two CPU's and Two FPGA's with a fan on each ( 4 Fans) 
or just Two Fan's to cool the CPU's and FPGA's

Seem we know there are only Two Fans for the CPU/FPGA on the 6500,
asking does the Fan Count go up by twice  ?  Four Fan's ?? for the 6700

From what I hear, but not sure from Steve only Two of these fans 
on CPU/FPGA for Flex6300, Flex6500 and Flex6700

Not Counting any side Fan's just those needed for CPU's and FPGA's

Mike_WB8CXO

My 6700 has been on 24/7 since 2013, no problems... also touching wood!  

Steve-N5AC

Each radio has one CPU, one FPGA, one fan on each (two total).

Gene - K3GC

Thanks Douglas

k3Tim

I pulled the bottom cover on the 6500 here and peeked in the EMI cage to be sure the fans were secure. I've taken this radio backpacking, portable and  mobile - the fans look to be stuck in place pretty well. Didn't pull the cover as the portion under the bracket looks like it would be a lot of fun to get it all lined up. Should a fan replacement be required I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Blew out some dust using the recommended procedure. On the chassis fans had to use a brush to loosen the dirt. 
Radio is over 2 years old, has many hours on it and NO problems at all.

Thanks of the interesting information and also a special thanks to Eric for  putting the fan order together.  I'm in for several. I have a '76 Camaro that the thermal vacuum trip valve in the carb filter snorkle cost like $5 back in the day. Today that little plastic piece will set you back $200, if you're lucky enough to find one. Will stock some fans just to be safe!

Regards All,
TiM

Michael Aust

Well, On the list for 4 fans from Eric K2CB, just as insurance
if ever needed or if FRS runs out !
Thanks Eric !
73 Mike
WB6DJI

Al_NN4ZZ

The TOTAL number of FANS varies by 6xxx model per the "help desk."  See snapshot below about the fan cleaning process. 

But all models have 2 fans inside the cage which are the ones Eric / K2CB is offering. One for the CPU and one for the FPGA.   I ordered 2 and figured if I have to remove the cage to replace one, might as well replace them both.   (although the only error I've seen reported is the FPGA error so wonder if there is a CPU error as well or do both get reported as the same FPGA error)

 


@Eric, what about replacements for the other fans?   Should there also be a supply of the other one (1) or two (2) main cooling fans at the front of the chassis?   Assume they are a different model, is that correct?

I haven't seen much about the failure rate for them or whether they generate any specific error codes.   But in a few posts there have been references like  "FRS replaced all 4 of my fans."    

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 -  V 1.10.16
Win10

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky

The engineering sample arrived Friday. It is a full drop in replacement. Same OEM manufacturer, same wire color coding and connector, same heat sink, and the same thermal adhesive pad. The only difference is the bearing technology, as the oem no longer offers the older style design. I am told the Hypro bearing is better, but I'm no fan design expert! Most will opt to just unscrew and swap the fans, but for the purist, this is a complete replacement. No cutting corners. See pics below. For those who preordered, I expect the fan order to arrive here Wednesday, and they should be in the mail and on the way to you by Friday. Watch for your shipment notification email. For those who may wish to purchase fans in the future, I will have a limited stock on hand for $20 each, plus $10 flat rate shipping in the US. Inquire for shipment rates outside the US. If you think you want to purchase a fan, don't wait too long, as I don't foresee ordering another 100 fans anytime soon! Thank you to everyone who preordered and made this possible! Eric K2CB

Delbert McCord

Thank you sir for all your effort on this. It will be a lot of work for you to package and sent all these out and I for one appreciate all your effort for us Flex owners.

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky

UPDATE-

The fans arrived yesterday, and were shipped out to everyone last evening.  Everyone should have received their tracking notification emails by now, and those in the US should expect delivery by Saturday. Outside the US, allow a week or two.

Thanks again to everyone who participated and made this "group buy" possible.

For those who missed out, I have approximately 8 fans left at this point in time.  $20 each plus $10 shipping. Once they are gone, that's it! 

Eric

K2CB

Delbert McCord

Thanks!

Larry Williamson

Eric,

I would like to purchase one please?

Thank you
Larry

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky

Email me direct. k2cb@comcast.net

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky

As of this afternoon, the fans are sold out. Should there be significant interest in the future, I'll consider another pre-order list. Once again, thank you to all who participated. Eric K2CB

Terry K7NY

Thanks Eric, great job. I received mine today.
Terry
K7NY

Paul Burton

Eric - I received mine today.  Many thanks for your efforts.

Scott N8UMW

They work perfectly. Thank you Eric.

pagreen69

It's happened to me!

Today my 6500 has shutdown due to FPGA fan error, although not much dust in there and cleaning out it looks like the fans need replacing.

Not an easy task to find replacements or fit them, anyone on here, although I appreciate this thread is old now have any fans they never used or have any ideas where I can obtain the unobtainium?

Best 73

Pete G0ABI

VE7ATJ_Don

Hi Peter… you're best bet is to open a Help Desk Ticket with Flex. Sometimes, it's not 'just the fan'. In my case, it was symptomatic of a bigger problem…. (hopefully not in your case, but….)

Anyway, they may also be able to help with a local service tech in UK or EU that can help out.

pagreen69

Hi Don

Thanks for the advice, I have raised a service ticket.

Best 73

Pete