slowing fans, effect on lifespan ?

[boran]

now I was wondering, what effect does it have on the life expectancy of a fan when you slow it down (lowering voltage)

I'd think it would have either a posetive effect on a fan, cous it's RPM's go down,
but it could also have a negative effect because the fan was not built to get 7 volts instead of 12 (more circuitry related, but I dont know squat bout such stuff)

does it make a diff brushed vs brushless motors ?


thanks for any info.

Boran.

 

[lenjack]

It will increase life span and run quieter, with less cooling.

 

[Goatsan]

are you really worried about the life span of your fans? yes it mentions so many hours on there, but fans aren't expansive at all.

 

[ToxicWaste]

No, fans aren't expensive, but it can be when they fail... So, take two!

 

[dguy6789]

dropping voltage increases lifetime of a fan period.

 

[ReiAyanami]

a typical problem i've seen with fans is not that the actual fan dies but so much dust has built up in the really insides thereby eventually not allowing the fan to start at all, hence lower initial voltage might not be enough to push the fan on when its all dusty and old, but if you switch it back to 12v it'd probably work again

or clean your fans....

 

[boran]

yes I noticed that, well, I'm geting variable fanbus, so I'll allways startup at 1é anyways, the noise only needs lowering whenever I want to sleep.
thanks for the info.
Boran.