KiWiSDR fan problem

[WA4FHY]

Late last year I bought a KiWiSDR and also ordered the metal case. The case included a small (5 vdc, ~30mm box type) fan.
After just a few months, the fan became very noisy. I removed it, cleaned it (nothing like sharing a house with a long haired cat
even thought the SDR is up on a desktop), and even carefully peeled back the label and lightly oiled the fan bearing. That
helped for a short while and now the noise is back.

Has anyone else run into this and how did you fix it? I e-mailed seeedco asking about getting a replacement and also a spare;
I have not received a response as of this morning.
Thankis

[ChrisSmolinski]

Mine also creates that noise. I'm not sure it is the fan itself or if it is something else vibrating, if i pick up the KiwiSDR it stops. I have also been able to wedge a piece of folded paper into the space between the PCB and board to stop the vibration.

[WA4FHY]

Thanks Chris, I'll see if giving it a wedgie will help. I do know that picking it up and moving it
around does not do anything. Early on, I also tried giving it a couple of low distance "techno-drops"
and that didn't help the noise either.

[bagmouse7]

I gave up on the fan and disconnected mine.
I haven;t seen any heat problems in the metal case, but I usually only run 1 or 2 receivers at time on it.
I really like the KiwiSDR it's a great little receiver!

[Pigmeat]

Obviously you fellas didn't get the "Fan Control Knob" option required to control the vibration.

I don't know why SDR manufacturers aren't more forthcoming with the optional knob features of their receivers? Once you get them installed a SDR looks like a respectable radio along the lines of a Drake R-8.

[WA4FHY]

Sorry, PM, I missed seeing the knob option when I ordered mine!
I still miss my faithful old Drake 2-B from back in the 60s
(not that I really remember that time period ) - 70s.

Chris, I have played with the board vibration you mentioned and
it does help. I have some high density closed cell foam that I jammed
between the antenna connectors and the case and that has made it
a little quieter but I still think the main problem is the #$@*^% fan.

If I have to, I'll try disconnecting the fan as bagmouse7 did.

[Josh]

Obviously you fellas didn't get the "Fansome Control Knob" option required to control the vibration.

I don't know why SDR manufacturers aren't more forthcoming with the optional knob features of their receivers? Once you get them installed a SDR looks like a respectable radio along the lines of a Drake R-8.

edited for accuracy