PGXL Noise mitigation + Power ON/Off switch
There are few reviews on eham and few posts here about PGXL Fan's noise.
I understand that PGXL was designed mostly for remote operation.
What about other guys who does not this capability?
After reviewing internal design, I understood that my initial thoughts to change internal Fan's are not going to happen.
I came up with project to build another enclosure with sound isolation material and place it behind my desk - good project during this Spring isolation.
Notes:
1. I do not recommend it to anyone unless you are familiar with Airflow and cooling.
2. I do it on my own risk
3. Have it up and running from mid of March at full power and several contests.
4. Initially I had 1 extra fan on the back. During contests with legal power Temp would go up to 62 degree with continuous CQ in CW.
Since than I installed 2nd Fan and now Temp would keep below 60 degree. Details below.
5. Noise measurement compared to Acom2000A, both sit from me about 30" and after installed in encloser and placed behind the desk.
My Radio shack would not measure below 50db, so it will be "Low"
6. Initially I was planning to install small Plexiglas window in front of PGXL LCD screen, but did not do it yet. Currently it is not needed, maybe later.
External Enclosure design:
1. Wooden box built from Home Depot material.
2. Most important points - Front bottom has opening 2" wide for incoming air!
3. All sides have about 1" clear space, top has about 2" clearance
4. Four legs elevated about 0.5-0.7" above the floor - this is to ensure air flow from external Fan's.
5. Two 12cm Fans (12v) running ALL THE TIME at 8.5v to keep them quiet!
Images from beginning to the final (pretty much self explained)
Front top view
Back view
Top
TOP VIEW before cover install - 2" opening in the bottom
First design - with 1 Fan
Final design - 2 fans on both sides pull air all the time, i cannot hear them at all even during standby.
PGXL installed behind my desk and I only rely on Windows PGXL application.
With latest FW release 3.4.10 Power reading is work properly and I do not have to see front panel of PGXL anymore...
Been on PGXL subject
2nd project - remote Power ON/OFF.
There are several ideas published - I purchased 30A Siemens relay on Amazon, put it to external enclose, connected it to WEMO switch and operate from Wemo application on my iPhone.
Here are few images
Wemo switch
Relay Box
Wemo application
My PGXL work properly on all Bands after initial High SWR issues and trip back to Flex in December. I am happy camper now.
While above project does not eliminate noise completely and would be pretty close to the noise that comes from Acom2000A that sit 2ft away from me.
Also, characteristic of noise is different that Acom2000A (more higher pitch noise), but with above project I can work most the QSO's without headphones!
Enjoy
Sergey, KN7K