Questions about swapping a PS fan

[zod]

I've got an Antec 303x 300watt power supply. Originally, it was pretty quiet, but it recently has gotten quite loud, as if something is rubbing occassionally. I was thinking about buying a new Antec TruePower PS, but they're somewhat expensive. I then had the notion of just changing the PS fan.

I've got a low noise Adda fan that I'd like to put in the PS - As shown, 3 pin .
It is rated at 26.2 cfm and 22.5 dBA. Will this provide enough cooling for the power supply? I also ordered a couple of low noise Panaflo fans, as well.

Questions about how to actually swap the fans. What I was planning on doing is just cutting both the wires on the old fan (for the 2 pin plastic connector) and the new one (but not using the white third wire). I figured I'd just strip the wires a bit and twist them together and put some electrical tape on the exposed wires to keep them secure.

Is there a better way to do this?

I also briefly considered just connecting the fan connector out to the motherboard or a regular molex connector via a 3-pin adapter.


Thoughts? Hopefully it'll be nice and quiet . . . the fan when alone is almost silent.

 

[Zim Hosein]

zod, here are two different ways to mod your PS:

http://www.ocmodshop.com/psu.asp

http://kmcsonline.com/casemod/psu_fan/

zod, pick which method you are comfortable w/ and go for it. BTW, I went w/ the second method using a Panaflo

 

[farmercal]

I did this same procedure about a month ago. I just cut the wires from the original fan, cut the wires on the new fan, trimmed the ends and soldered them together. I then used heat shrink (available at Home Depot) to cover the soldered wires. It's not that hard just requires a little work. I would not use electrical tape as the heat produce by the PS will melt the tape and it will just fall off in time. This happened just inside a case I had without a lot of heat. Some people worry about opening the power supply and getting zapped but as long as you don't go feeling everything inside you should be okay.

 

[zod]

Is there any disadvantage to running the fan out to a header on the motherboard? It looks a lot easier than soldering (especially since I dont have a soldering iron).

 

[keyeye]

I think that both methods that Zim has nice links to are good.

I've run the fan leads out of the PS a couple of times. Shouldn't be a problem unless the holes are small. The panaflo worked well for this because the connector that attaches to the fan is smaller and fit through a hole. Otherwise, you have to drill. I put it on a fan mate 1 and made it silent.

I've also done the soldering that the above folks suggest. Works really well, especially with a thermally controlled PS connection, which I suspect the Antec is. I bought my soldering iron starter kit for 7-8 bucks from radio shack and it came with solder and everything. That was my first time soldering- works every time. Also highly recommended method.

As far as cooling the PS, it completely depends on you system and the presence of other case fans. A panaflo L1A works great with a .13 Cel at 1.3ghz as the only exhaust fan. I wouldn't try it as the only exhaust fan on my 1.2ghz Tbird, though.

 

[Kindjal]

Zod,

I had the EXACT same problem (i.e., "an Antec 303x 300watt power supply ... it was pretty quiet, but it recently has gotten quite loud, as if something is rubbing occassionally. I was thinking about buying a new Antec TruePower PS") but I did go for the TruePower replacement.

I thought about opening the PS up and changing the fan as well. However, doubting my ability to (1) not be able to return it to working order, and (2) somehow frying my whole system - I opted for replacement.

If your plan works, perhaps I will attempt to fix the old PS to trade or sell.

 

[drx9175l]

... it was pretty quiet, but it recently has gotten quite loud, as if something is rubbing occassionally.

Before buying a new PSU or even swapping the fan, I'd first try to figure out what is causing the noise. If it's a simple buildup of dust, buy a can of compressed air and blow it out. If the fan blades are coming in contact with the metal grill or one of the internal wires, fix it. Even better, if the PSU is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.

 

[Gene396]

Follow drx91751s directions of checking for dust in PS and dust buildup on fan. Next you could go into the Power supply and peal off the label on the fan. Put several drops of oil on fan shaft and replace label and close up PS. This should make fan quiet. Also, you would have removed any obstruction that the fan was hitting. If still noisy make sure where the noise is coming from. If it is another fan try oiling it. Next replace noisy fan.

 

[zod]

I first figured it may be a dust issue, but it isn't, I blew the PS clean with some compressed air. I also thought the blades were hitting the metal cage, but I also don't think thats the case. If I wasn't so eager to "fix" the problem, I probably could have sent it back to Antec for a replacement, but after breaking the "if you break this, your warranty is gone" sticker, I don't think I can anymore.

Even if the oil method works with the old fan (and I've seen this method on another site, too), I am starting to like the idea of an even quiter PS with a low-noise fan I install

I'll update with how it turns out when I get home.

 

[hoihtah]

i've replaced all my psu fans as soon as i got them.
i should've tested them prior to doing this, since it'll void warantee.
but so far, it's been all good.

in terms of these two methods that zim gave us the links to...

1. connect the fan to mobo.
2. reconnect the fan to the psu.

i've always done it with #2.
it just doesn't make much sense for me to have another wire hanging out of my psu.
the only benefit of that would be to by pass the variable fan speed controlled by your psu.
but is that really a benefit? you've paid extra for those features. why bypass them?

and as for stripping wires... i'd definately recommend sodering the wires back.
twisting works, but sodering secures.

and you don't want to play around with your psu.

and on another note. you're putting adda fans in there?
i've always replaced adda with a L1A... thinking that they were too loud.
i guess it's all relative.

 

[zod]

My L1A's haven't come yet, and the Adda I have is really quiet (22.5 dBA). When I connect it to my mobo, I can't really hear it. I've never had a Panaflo before, so I haven't compared the noise levels of the two. Also, the Adda does seem to push a decent amount of air (using my ultra-scientific "hand in front of fan" method).

 

[zod]

Welp, I took the easier way and just connected the new PS fan to the mobo. Everything looks good and more importantly, sounds good so far. Thanks for all the help guys!