Replacing Sonata PSU fan with a Panaflo L1A

[WobbleWobble]

I replaced the Antec fan in my Sonata PSU with a Panaflo L1A and while it did make that quieter, I noticed an adverse side effect. I believe since the PSU is getting less air pushed out, the temperature inside the PSU is a bit hotter. the Fan Only connector is getting the voltage bumped up making my 120mm fans spin much faster than they used to.

I know some of you guys put quiet fans in that PSU. What did you do to compensate for the higher heat leading to the fans spinning faster?

I don't really want to buy a fan controller. I'm thinking of buying some Panaflo L1A 120mm fans just because they run slower at the same voltage compared to my 120mm Antec and Thermaltake fan.

 

[us3rnotfound]

man, you dont fvck with power supplies.

 

[0roo0roo]

its the stupid sensors only being in the psu, it doesn't mean your case is hot, and unless your psu is spitting out really hot air, it probaly doesn't matter. they way we compensate for low rpm fans is to have more low rpm fans. sometimes it requires cutting holes.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Thanks for your concern, but it's a simple fan change. Unscrew the fan and splice the wires.

I'm not jamming my screwdriver or fingers into the electronics

 

[cubanx]

WobbleWobble I use the Panaflow M1A and the sensor still kicks up the fan RPM's when the 380 PSU is under a heavy load which is often since I have 4 CCFL's. A seperate fan controller is really the only option for total fan noise control. The only other option is a larger PSU(480 or 550) so your not putting a heavy load on it and the fans don't spin up to compensate for increased PSU heat.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I know with Enermax PSUs you can cut off the thermometer and add a variable resistor. I'm thinking of doing that with my PSU.

 

[ronnn]

Wobble Wobble is that a 92mm fan you put in? After reading your post am thinking of doing the same thing. Thanks

 

[cubanx]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Wobble Wobble is that a 92mm fan you put in? After reading your post am thinking of doing the same thing. Thanks

The Sonata 380TRUE uses one 80mm fan.

 

[WobbleWobble]

It's an 80mm fan.

 

[ronnn]

Thanks for the replies I have an 80mm vantec stealth, do you think it would do the job?

 

[WobbleWobble]

It would. But I wouldn't think the Stealth would be that much quieter... I have a couple Stealths as well.

 

[ronnn]

Darn, just made an order. Not sure if I can find a panaflo around town. Oh well next time.

 

[hytek369]

is the sonata psu fan thermally controlled?

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: hytek369
is the sonata psu fan thermally controlled?

Yes.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Darn, just made an order. Not sure if I can find a panaflo around town. Oh well next time.

The normal fan isn't that loud. I'm just extremely picky

 

[tracerbullet]

Maybe spin the 120mm case fan around, so it blows air into the case? Seems like that would give the panaflo a boost of sorts, instead of them fighting each other.

I think also going to an M would do it too, kind of for "reserve" air movement ability when needed. I'd think (and hope anyways) that the P/S itself would kick it to a low enough RPM when it wasn't needed so as to be inaudible.

 

[lazybum131]

Don't use any of the thermally controlled connectors, until I can manually control them myself, I'd rather not use them. The 120mm fans hooked up at 5V should be plenty.

I put a L1A in my 380S as well, but I just used a 4-pin molex version, and had the wire snake out through the rear and into one of the regular molex plugs (currently at 7V).

 

[WobbleWobble]

I'm debating whether to buy 2x 120mm Panaflo L1A fans or a fan controller. The fan controller is cheaper as Panaflo's cost a lot more in Canada than in the US.

 

[ronnn]

I am waiting for my sunbeam rheobus to arrive. Same price as one fan and I can turn off some fans when not gaming. I also have become picky, not a cheap habit.