PGXL - fan speed in standard mode

AC9S

Does the fan run continuously in standard mode - when the amp is in operate?  I am not sure I can tell the difference between standard and contest mode.

Thanks - Keith - AC9S

KF4HR

W5AP

The fan noise becomes unbearable at higher temps-especially SO2R.  So I put the amp outside the shack in an enclosure with a heater for when the ambient temp gets below 0 F.   

Bill -VA3WTB

I think there are some fans that will run all the time, like the on board harmonic filter, that is something no other ham amp has.

AC9S

Larry - W9FLA

bahillen

AC9S

Hi Larry,  I'll record/measure the noise when the storm abates.  I am in the CQWW RTTY, but gave it up last night because of lightning.  My solution for the contest is headphones, I am more concerned about regular hamming.  For what it is worth it puts out  the full legal limit without strain while I am running.  I didn't have any great rates, but it was just 1 operator.

Keith - AC9S

AC9S

KF4HR

Larry - W9FLA

AC9S

Hi Larry,

Jeeze - I hate people who make promises and then don't keep them - which I just did.  I did measure the sound level at my operating position, about 2.5 ' away from the PGXL it was only 58 db on the app on my Samsung phone.  That is in the standard fan setting.  I also discovered that in standard mode, if you wait long enough for cooling, the fan will shut off when both keyed and unkeyed.  Looks like the PA temp needs to get below 30C for that to happen.

Bottom line is that when cool it isn't as noisy as it first seemed to me.  That might be because it replaced a KPA500 which turns its fan off fairly quickly.  The KPA500 / KAT500 is an absolute joy for general hamming, but of course it doesn't have the chops for contesting.

Keith - AC9S

bahillen

What do you mean about not having the chops for contesting? I have run my PGXL in the digital contest running for long periods. Stayed under temp limits. The amp is rated as ICAS. I talked about heat and solid state amplifiers with K6XX from Elecraft and he was involved with the 1500 development. He said getting heat out op the amplifier is an trade off for the amplifier designers. Run it too hot and device life suffered. Even CCS spec is not key down for 24 hours. If you run high rates in contest you may consider an area low velocity fan to keep the ambient air close to room temperature. The harmonic load is a big deal for amplifier temperatures. As a contest operator and running at a high rate you may not need 1.5 kw all the time. K9CT runs multiple PGXL amps and loves the amplifier with an outstanding Multi op contest station. A side factor is if you amp is in Standby it runs 12-14 degrees cooler than when in Operate. it comes on line quickly. Helpful when just searching the spectrum for next Q. Since I moved my amp in an adjacent room with open doors, I run fans in Contest Mode all the time for now. In the PGXL utility, monitor temps and try different things. see what works for you. I am spoiled with my amp location now. Put the amp in a crawl space, a basement (cool) or garage. I found I have less RF in the shack after relocating the amp. You may feel a loss of adrenaline when you key down and don’t hear the clap of the relays and the roar of your tube amplifier, just the readout saying you are putting out 1,500 watts. Remember when you had to wait 3 minutes before operating, needing a fork lift truck to move the amplifier and a very noisy fan located in front of you running all the time? Enjoy 73 Bill W9JJB

AC9S

The chops I was referring to was the KPA500.  Nice little amp, but if I am going to run high power in a contest I would just a soon have the full deal - which the PGXL provides.  I think you misread my last comment.

I am not going to put the PGXL in another room, but in standard mode it is ok for general hamming and in contest mode it is fine with headphones.

Keith - AC9S