In order to keep your FLEX-6000 operating optimally, periodic cleaning to remove accumulated dust is recommended. Usually, a once-a-year cleaning is sufficient when the radio is used in a conditioned location, like a home. If the radio is operated in a more dusty environment, more frequency cleanings may be required.
What is needed?
- You will need a #8 TORX driver to remove the FLEX-6000 covers
- A non-metallic object like a toothpick or a chopstick
- A can of compressed air that leaves no residue. Such as products designed specifically for cleaning electronics.
- Small flashlight
Fan Quantity and Location
The FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M) have only one cooling fan that is located at the front of the chassis just behind the front panel.
The FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700 have a total of four (4) cooling fans; one (1) on each side of the chassis and two (2) inside of the perforated metal RF enclosure on the transceiver board.
The FLEX-6300 has three fans; one (1) chassis cooling fan in the front of the chassis and two (2) inside of the perforated metal RF enclosure on the transceiver board.
Fan Cleaning Procedure
The following procedures will describe the best practices for cleaning the radio's cooling fans.
FLEX-6500 & FLEX-6700
Power down the FLEX-6500/FLEX-6700 and disconnect all cables.
Remove the bottom chassis cover. A detailed pictorial description for removing the FLEX-6500/FLEX-6700 bottom chassis cover can be found in the FLEX-6000 GPSDO Installation Guide which can be downloaded from the FlexRadio website. It is recommended that you pay particular attention to the Preparing to Install the GPSDO Module, the Removing the Chassis Feet, and Removing the Bottom Cover sections.
Locate the two (2) main cooling fans at the front of either side of the chassis. These fans will be cleaned first.
Using the non-metallic object (toothpick or chopstick), place it in between the blades of the fan to prevent the blades from spinning.
Using the compressed air can thoroughly blow out any accumulated dust on the front and back of the blades making certain that the fan does not spin freely when cleaning. Overspinning the fan and spinning the blades in the wrong direction can damage the fan causing premature failure.
Repeat the cleaning procedure above on the other chassis fan.
Once the chassis fans have been cleaned, locate the two (2) CPU fans in perforated metal RF enclosure on the transceiver board. DO NOT REMOVE THE PERFORATED METAL RF ENCLOSURE - this will void your warranty. You may have to use the flashlight to illuminate the components inside the RF "can" to locate the two CPU cooling fans.
Once located, use the non-metallic object (toothpick) and carefully place it in between the blades of the small CPU fan to prevent the blades from spinning.
Using the compressed air can thoroughly blow out any accumulated dust from the CPU cooling fan making certain that the fan does not spin freely when cleaning.
Repeat the procedure for the 2nd CPU fan.
Remove any latent dust from the other internal surfaces of the radio
Reinstall the chassis cover. This procedure is covered in the Reinstalling the Bottom Cover and Reinstalling the Chassis Feet sections in the FLEX-6000 GPSDO Installation Guide.
FLEX-6300
Power down the FLEX-6300 and disconnect all cables.
Remove the chassis cover. A detailed pictorial description for removing the FLEX-6300 chassis cover can be found in the FLEX-6300 ATU Installation Guide which can be downloaded from the FlexRadio website. It is recommended that you pay particular attention to the Preparing for the FLEX-6300 ATU Installation and the Removing the FLEX-6300 Chassis Cover sections.
Locate the main cooling fan at the front of the chassis. This fan will be cleaned first.
Using the non-metallic object (toothpick), place it in between the blades of the fan to prevent the blades from spinning.
Using the compressed air can thoroughly blow out any accumulated dust on the front and back of the blades making certain that the fan does not spin freely when cleaning. Overspinning the fan and spinning the blades in the wrong direction can damage the fan causing premature failure.
Once the main chassis fan has been cleaned, locate the two (2) CPU fans in perforated metal RF enclosure on the transceiver board. DO NOT REMOVE THE PERFORATED METAL RF ENCLOSURE - this will void your warranty. You may have to use the flashlight to illuminate the components inside the RF "can" to locate the two CPU cooling fans.
Once located, use the non-metallic object (toothpick) and carefully place it in between the blades of the small CPU fan to prevent the blades from spinning.
Using the compressed air can thoroughly blow out any accumulated dust from the CPU cooling fan making certain that the fan does not spin freely when cleaning.
Repeat the procedure for the 2nd CPU fan.
Remove any latent dust from the other internal surfaces of the radio
Reinstall the chassis cover. This procedure is covered in the Reinstalling the FLEX-6300 Chassis Cover section in the FLEX-6300 ATU Installation Guide.
FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M)
Power down the FLEX-6400(M) / FLEX-6600(M) and disconnect all cables.
Remove the chassis cover using a #8 TORX bit.
Locate the single large cooling fan that is installed just behind the front panel. Do NOT remove the front panel.
Once located, use the non-metallic object (toothpick or chopstick) and carefully place it in between the blades of the fan to prevent the blades from spinning.
Using the compressed air can thoroughly blow out any accumulated dust from the fan making certain that the fan does not spin freely when cleaning.
Remove any latent dust from the other internal surfaces of the radio
Reinstall the chassis cover.