DIY Guide: Taking Apart Gentle Typhoon Ball Bearing PC Cooling Fan

[Mnpctech]

The Nidec-Servo's Scythe Gentle Typhoon (Model# D122C). This fan has been regarded as the best static pressure optimized fan by DIY PC community since it's release in 2008. The original D122C is no longer made, but there is limited stock available at some online retailers. Last year the D122C Scythe GT fan was resurrected and manufactured as "Darkside Black Edition" by Dazmode. It's the same specs as the original, but now has Black fan blades. Many PC Modders including myself have painted these fans to fit the color schemes of our custom PC builds. I've been asked several times over the years how to remove the c-clip without losing or breaking it? Like many others, I've also lost these tiny c-clips while learning the best technique for removal. This is my DIY guide to removing and installing external retaining ring or c-clip.

Nidec-Servo's Scythe Gentle Typhoon Factory Spec PDF link, http://www.nidec-servo.com/en/digital/pdf/D1225C.pdf*
Speed: *2150RPM
Air performance : 68.8CFM
Nose: 34db (25cm from the fan, free air)
Power: 12VDC, 0.123A (0.63A peak max)
Operational voltage range: 5-12V (~900rpm-2150rpm)
Bearing: Ball
Expected life: 100000h/35c or 55000h/60c
Appearance: Full black
Dimensions: *119 x 119 x 25 mm / 4.68 x 4.68 x 0.98 in


WARNING:

Perform this task with Safety Glasses, the tiny Black metal retaining ring (c-clip) can and likely will pop off, so perform this task in a clean workspace, so you can find it. I suggest doing the work on a large white bed sheet and holding a large magnet near the fan hub as you remove and re-install the c-clip, to increase you're chances of not losing the c-clip. I haven't found a source for ordering replacement c-clips yet, but I'm still searching.

Here is my suggested Tools & Supplies

Safety Glasses (not pictured)
Heat Gun for removing the fan label. Hair Dryer on HIGH setting will work as well.
10" Wire Cable Tie
Large magnet (not pictured)
External Fixed-Tip Retaining Ring Pliers
Tweezers
Needle Nose Pliers
Super Glue (not pictured)

External Fixed-Tip Retaining Ring Pliers, http://www.saeproducts.com/retaining-ring-tool.html

The fan blade looks as if it would snap-on and off, but not the case.

We need to remove the back label to access the external metal c-clip on the fan shaft.

Swipe heat gun or hair dryer back and forth over the label.

Use the Tweezer to peel off the fan label.

Stick the fan label on a clean metal surface while you perform your work.

You will tie down the fan hub with this Twisty tie. The fan shaft has a retention spring inside. You need to compress this spring, so you can remove the metal c-clip. If you don't, it's almost a guarantee that the c-clip will fly off the shaft faster than a bullet.

Using Twisty tie to compress the fan hub spring, by tying down the hub to the fan frame.

 

[Mnpctech]

Close ups of the Black metal c-clip inside the Scythe Gentle Typhoon.

Insert the two prongs of the Retaining Ring Plier inside the jaw of the c-clip.

If you have a large Magnet, Position it near the fan hub, just in case the c-clip pops off.

Holding the black metal c-clip in the Retaining Ring Plier.

You will widen the jaw of the c-clip and need to bend it back to it's original opening, so it maintains it's grip.

Hold the c-clip in the Tweezer while using a Needle Nose Plier to compress jaw of the c-clip.

 

[Mnpctech]

Doing this will allow you to re-use the metal c-clip.

Here is the Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Cooling fan dismantled

If you're wanting to paint your PC cooling fan. You can watch my DIY video guide to painting PC cooling fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqIURuIeqjU

View of the spring inside the Gentle Typhoon PC Cooling fan, "Be careful, don't lose it!"

To re-install the metal fan c-clip, grip the c-clip in reverse position on the plier.

Reversing the c-clip on the plier will make it easier to re-install the metal cooling fan c-clip

Before releasing the plier, make sure the c-clip is properly seated on the fan shaft, otherwise it will fly off!

If the cooling fan label has very little adhesion left, I'll apply drops of Krazy or Super Glue to re-apply the label.

The job is finished!

Please post other PC cooling fan models you know of that use this same type of metal c-clip

 

[Mnpctech]

Here is another fan I found in our workshop that utilizes the same Black metal e-clip / c-clip. It's a 120mm Delta WFB1212H

 

[SpotswoodGuy]

I would recommend performing the work of removing and installing the retaining clip with the fan, pliers and your hands inside a large clear plastic bag.

 

[Mnpctech]

Great suggestion ^

also, somebody suggested trying team associated e-clip, in case losing the factory e-clip, I'll order some and see which one works best for the gentle Typhoon, https://www.teamassociated.com/parts/hardware/clips/

 

[Aristotelian]

Thanks a lot for posting this. I am about to order a minimum of 24 of these fans and am thinking about something like this to repaint the fan blades for a bling element in my new build.

Quick question: you're in the modding community. How long does it take you to do this with one fan? Also, I tried this once on a floor fan, and funnily enough there were problems spinning it - which I realised were because I put two coats of paint on one of the blades and only one on the other two. How sensitive are the blades to the paint application? Thanks!

 

[Mnpctech]

It takes me about 5 minutes to do one fan, but I've done many over the years.

Gentle Typhoons, I've painted many since their release and don't worry about paint effecting performance and longevity. Just keep the coats evenly dispersed when applying (2 - 3 coats). Allow 24 hour cure time for the paint before handling the blades.

If you want to skip sanding and primer coat before color coat, you can apply Krylon FUSION paint for plastic, http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

The reason I don't use FUSION is that you're limited to their color selection.

 

[Mnpctech]

Just an update, Gentle Typhoon with thicker replacement metal c-lip