Anyone done the 7 volt mod for fans? Any side effects?

[MercenaryForHire]

I'm about to build a couple 7v cables to shut up some rather noisy GlobalWin's in the family machines, and was wondering if there's any potential nastiness that could result eg fritzed PSU/mobo etc. 😛

Just paranoia probably, but never hurts to be safe.

For those who don't know what the 7volt mod is, you basically use the 5v line as a ground for the 12v line, and power the fan off the 7v difference. Silences em quite nicely. (I can hammer up a quick FAQ for the AT collection if you like.)

- M4H

 

[Lord Evermore]

Maybe the FAQ should be written by someone who's done it before and know the answer to this question. 🙂

Only side effect I noticed was quieter fans, but I didn't do it very long. Given how many people have done it though, I don't think it's an issue.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Maybe the FAQ should be written by someone who's done it before and know the answer to this question. 🙂

Pwned. 😀

Oh, I've done it on my personal system. I'm just worried because of the "it's not mine" issue. And if it busts the system, that's one more thing I'll have to worry about when they call at 3am because they need to type a report by 7am. :Q

- M4H

 

[DrVos]

I'd never do a mod like that if it wasn't my or a close friend's computer. Thre is just too much room to be blamed if something goes awry. If the other party doesn't mind the expense, I'd recommend something like the Fanmate or a babyus.

 

[thorin]

http://www.google.com/search?q=7v+mod

Just make sure you don't use the 7V line to power a HD or something important.

Thorin

 

[Drewpy]

No nastiness that I can think of. Just that some fan's RPM sensing doesn't work when they are 7V'ed. As long as you are careful, and properly insulate all your connections, there is virtually no risk of frying a PSU/Mobo. This is from a theoretical stand-point. I have never heard of anything getting fried from a 7V'ed fan. If there is a short, the fuse/breaker in the PSU should switch off before anything gets hosed.

 

[RSMemphis]

Actually, you really should not use the RPM sensing wire after 7 volt modding. Remember, you taking ground up to +5V, and therefore the voltage for the sensor will be f*cked up as well.

I just went ahead and got the thermaltake adjustable fan controller. Yeah, the resistor draws power, but then that's how tramways functioned before they had thyristors.
Speaking of which, I should look into that - maybe a thyristor can do the job.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

some fans require more than 7v to get them spinning, that could be a drawback if the fan didnt spin up (it would suck to have the fan as a cpu heatsink fan heh)