apache-labs.com

My 8000DLE fan has begun to produce a intermittent, low level howl. I suspect the bearings are becoming worn (unit is three yrs old) and should probably be replace in the near future. Does anyone have a direct replacement fan model/part number, either OEM or third party that will work?
TIA,
Carl Licari
NX5T

Carl,

It's your lucky day. It just so happens that by some miracle I have handy a photo of the fan that is inside the 8000 here. Can't say for certain it'll be the same in your 8000, you will have to take yours apart to be sure, but it's a data point for you. It's probably low risk to match it or cross reference a different part number. If you are going with a different part number, be sure to check that the fan performance curve for the replacement fan is equal to or better than the old fan.

73,

Scott

Thanks Scott!

Found it on Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073R ... CEDX&psc=1

Carl
NX5T

New replacement cooling fan has arrived for the 8000DLE. Can anyone that may have replaced the fan before tell me if it is done completely from the bottom of the radio? Also, is it a plug-in ( as the new fan is equipped, 2 pin) or does it require soldering?

Thx
Carl
NX5T

I seem to remember having to take both the top and bottom off, and that it was connectorized. It was some years ago, however. I can tell you that taking both the top and bottom off is pretty trivial and you won't have any problem doing so if you've got the right screw drivers.

Scott...

I pulled the bottom cover off and removed the noisy fan and dirty air filter. Then removed the top cover and cut the glue off the connector and removed it. The new fan came with a two pin connector which was not compatible with the three pin mount on the PA board. I cut the three pin connector off the old fan and soldered it on the new fan. I installed the new fan and replaced the covers and the fan wasn't working. Took it all apart again and checked the pins on the PA board with a meter and nothing, no voltage. The only thing I can see left to try would be to reflow the PA board fan connector. I tried the old fan with bare wires to the pins and it didn't spin either. What would you recommend at this point?
Thx
Carl
NX5T

Carl,

On the 8000 the fan is operated by a TC652 fan controller IC, located on the PA board. See the schematic snippet below.

It may be that the unit has not become warm enough to operate the fan. I don't know exactly which part number Apache selected, however if you look at the full part number and then reference Table 3-3 in the datasheet (follow the link above) that should tell you what the low threshold temperature is (and I'd be interested to know). However I suspect it is 25C and the fan will be shutdown below that temperature.

You could use a heat gun to heat the chip and see if the fan turns on.

It is also worth noting that on the 8000, and the early 7000's, Apache used a FET to drive the fan, not a BJT per the recommendations in para. 4.1 of the datasheet. This alone can make the fan sound noisy sometimes.

73,

Scott

Scott...
Thank you for that info.
I did run the radio after installing the new fan. I had it up to 35C at one point and never heard the fan run. In the shack it can get above 25C (usually 26 to 27C) before ever transmitting. My thought was I may have over stressed the header removing the hot glue and broke a solder joint, that's why I ran reflowing the header by you. thoughts?
Thx
Carl
NX5T

Scott....

FYI.... I reflowed the fan header and it's working now.
Thx,
Carl
NX5T

Glad you got it sorted

Did you take any photos that you could post?

Thanks, Carl!

The fan on my 8000 was sounding very lumpy and so ordered a replacement > https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/369-MEC0251V3000UA99

So which way did the fan go round ?? Yup, removed without due diligence. I would guess the fan pulls fresh air into the case but if so how does it not suck the foam filter on the fan protector?

Anyone, do put me straight

When I replaced the filter in my 8000DLE it was obvious the fan was pulling air out of the case. The filter was dirty on the inside. Had it been pulling air from outside into the case, it would have pulled the foam filter into the fan .
James
WD5GWY

Trucker wrote:When I replaced the filter in my 8000DLE it was obvious the fan was pulling air out of the case. The filter was dirty on the inside. Had it been pulling air from outside into the case, it would have pulled the foam filter into the fan .
James
WD5GWY

Makes sense, James, At least this way Pulling air OUT of the case it means the foam filter sits on the 4spokes of the fan chassis.

Thank you

The fan on my early model 8000DLE pulls air *into* the case and it's been that way since I got it in April 2017.

I believe it would be opposite direction of the filter screen, but I could be wrong.

Joe
WD5Y

W2PA wrote:The fan on my early model 8000DLE pulls air *into* the case and it's been that way since I got it in April 2017.

Closer inspection with a zoom camera shows where the fixing nuts where, holding the fan under the bottom detachable sheet. This would mean the air is drawn into the radio as I first suspected but it means the filter needs to be secure!!!. I may reassemble it without the foam filter or get out the Araldite to secure the now clean filter to the cover. I have a day or three till the fan arrives anyway....