modding enermax PS...

[MrHealer]

first post, and on my birthday to boot!

have one of the enermax "whisper" power supplies and although it has been completely high quality for me, it is now the loudest component in my system. can i run the standard fan modification on it? i have several 80 low panaflo's sitting around (thanks to BGMicro), and i have no problem unplugging the supply, waiting for it to discharge and then cutting some wire...though if anyone knows of a good step by step tutorial, i wouldn't mind a visual image.

obviously i'll lose RPM monitoring because of the panaflo switch, but will i also lose the autoadjustibility via the temperature sensor? i'm not sure what it is based on, and if the RPM feedback is needed for the adjustment...i'm not too concerned, since 80L's are quiet enough even at max RPM, but i'd prefer not to ruin the power supply...

 

[hmsrolst]

I've done two and it works like any other PSU mod. I replace the 80mm with the L1A. There's room in the opening that the wires go through to squeeze the little tail out to connect to one of the PSU lines (with a molex adapter, of course). I also remove the 92mm fan entirely and cover the opening with a 92mm aluminum mesh air filter. Both run fine--i.e., quiet--and, if anything, my case temps are down a bit, certainly no higher.

 

[greg]

>>quiet--and, if anything, my case temps are down a bit, certainly no higher.

C'mon, I have this mod myself. You replaced a 80mm fan with one that delivers less cfms, and removed the 92 and then you think you are getting lower temps?

 

[MoFunk]

Just got myself some panaflo's so I will be doing this mod myself tonight on my Enermax "whisper" (ehem yea right) Power supply. I wont be romoving the 92 fan however. I have tested and the 92 isnt too loud. I just stopped the 80 with a pencil and the moise level decreased dramatically!

 

[MoFunk]

All finished. My Enermax Whisper PSU is now just that, a whisper!!!! I also ran a while with the 92 and without. I notice very little sound difference. I had to really concentrate to notice. But without brought my CPU temps up a touch. Will plug the 92 back in tomorrow. But for anyone interested, this rocks! Was really easy to do also!

 

[hmsrolst]

greg, I'm only reporting on what happened with two PSU's in two systems. I think that the the two fans may create turbulence and that removing the 92mm fan makes for smoother, less obstructed air flow. I am positive I saw no increase in case temps, and perhaps a bit of a decrease.

 

[MoFunk]

Originally posted by: hmsrolst
greg, I'm only reporting on what happened with two PSU's in two systems. I think that the the two fans may create turbulence and that removing the 92mm fan makes for smoother, less obstructed air flow. I am positive I saw no increase in case temps, and perhaps a bit of a decrease.

My experience is actualy the opposite. My case CPU temp went up 3c when I unhooked the 92 fan. i have an Alpha so the fan sucks from the HS. So mine needs that extra bit of exhaust.

 

[Ausone]

I modded my Enermax like hmsrolst did, as far as fan replacement is concerned. I replaced 8cm fan with a Silencer and 7-volted it. Later I switched it to a fan with somewhat more dBA & CFM and 5-volted it. Of course, I took out 9cm, but left the opening uncovered.

Moreover, I added heatsinks to compensate for airflow reduction. Finally I bent grilles on the rear (front?) so that they are parallel to air flow, to reduce noise further and enhance cooling efficiency a little.

 

[DrVos]

Moreover, I added heatsinks to compensate for airflow reduction. Finally I bent grilles on the rear (front?) so that they are parallel to air flow, to reduce noise further and enhance cooling efficiency a little.

Could you expound a little more on this? I am very interested. What exactly did you do? And how effective was it?

 

[Ausone]

Originally posted by: DrVos

Moreover, I added heatsinks to compensate for airflow reduction. Finally I bent grilles on the rear (front?) so that they are parallel to air flow, to reduce noise further and enhance cooling efficiency a little.

Could you expound a little more on this? I am very interested. What exactly did you do? And how effective was it?

1. I epoxied this heatsink on each of heatsinks in the Enermax PSU using Arctic Silver Thermal Adhesive.
2. Using a plier, I bent each grid of grilles on the surface of the Enermax where power leads comes out 90 degrees, so that air coming into the PSU is not obstructed by grilles.

The addition of heatsinks was quite effective. There was a significant reduction in PSU temperature. Bending grilles was effective for a reduction in noise but I'm not sure if it contributed to cooling.

 

[mastabog]

On the Enermaxs with 2 fans some may experience temp drops when removing the 92mm fan, and some wont.

The reason the temp drops is that if you watch the back of the PSU you will see it is a grid of holes. The 92mm fan can put hot air back in the case through that grid and thus removing it can cause the temp to drop.

The reason the temp might increase is that it depends on the chase format and size. I think it occurs on smaller chases that dont have enough space in front of the grid.

 

[DrVos]

1. I epoxied this heatsink on each of heatsinks in the Enermax PSU using Arctic Silver Thermal Adhesive.
2. Using a plier, I bent each grid of grilles on the surface of the Enermax where power leads comes out 90 degrees, so that air coming into the PSU is not obstructed by grilles.

The addition of heatsinks was quite effective. There was a significant reduction in PSU temperature. Bending grilles was effective for a reduction in noise but I'm not sure if it contributed to cooling.

cooool! I think this might be my next mod! Thanks!

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I did the same thing as hmsrolst, much more quiet now.