Replacing Power Supply Fan

[Banana]

The fan in my power supply is about to croak. Question is: What kind of 80mm fan do I replace it with? Does it matter what the RPM or CFM is? If possible, I'd prefer to use a quieter fan. The power supply is an Enlight 300W deal in my Duron rig. Please advise.

1YP

 

[SuperPickle]

Any 80mm will do...stick with ball-bearing though unless you go with Panaflo. I installed a Panaflo L1A (24cfm) in my 500W Powmax POS and it keeps it cooler than the stock fan at much lower noise levels (judging by the exhaust air). P-flo's rule.

 

[adamfelker]

Most people who've replaced their PSU fans use Panaflo L1A's, since they're quiet but move a decent amount of air.

***DOH!!! Someone posted at the same time as me...***

 

[scooch]

Hi,
Im planning on doing just the fan switch you mentioned on my Enermax PSU.

Im planning to use a Panaflo from http://www.nexfan.com/43/330.htm?90

now my question is, will this 2pin connector that comes on it work with the 2pin connector currently in my Enermax PSU for the fan?

Thanks
Scott

 

[hmsrolst]

From the description it might take some trimming to fit. I have found it easier to just run the tail out the PSU, and a 3- to 4-pin connector and plug it in to one of the PSU molex connectors. I've modded 3 PSU's (no Enlights) with L1A's and none have been a direct fit on the plug in the PSU.

 

[Banana]

HMSROLST: That is an excellent idea! Thanks to all who responded.

1YP

 

[hmsrolst]

The credit goes to AT'er SnowPunk98. Here's one way to do it. With Enermaxes you can slip it out through the grommet where the other lines run.

 

[skriefal]

will this 2pin connector that comes on it work with the 2pin connector currently in my Enermax PSU

I assume you're referring to the 2-pin connector present on many of the Panaflo L1A fans. If so, the answer is no -- you won't be able to plug that connector directly into the Enermax's internal 2-pin jack.

I just did this fan swap a few hours ago, replacing the 80mm in my Enermax EG351P-V FC "Whisper" with a Panaflo L1A. I ran the L1A's connector out of the PSU through the plastic grommet, and then attached it to a spare 3-pin connector on the motherboard using a 3-pin extension cable I had lying around. If I hadn't had the extension cable I would have used a 3->4-pin adapter.

Now I just need to decide whether I should disconnect the 92mm fan. If I do, then I'll probably stick a 7-volted NMB fan in the case's rear outtake fan mount.

I did a similar modification a few months ago to a Fong Kai (Enhance) 250W power supply. That one was easy, since I was able to plug the L1A's connector directly into the PSU's internal 2-pin jack.

A somewhat related question: does anyone know if the 92mm fan in the Enermax EG351P-V FC is thermally controlled? The only visible thermal probe was directly attached to the 80mm fan, which suggests that the 92mm is probably always running at full voltage... anyone know for sure?

 

[hmsrolst]

I've removed the 92mm fan from two Enermaxes. They're much quieter and no increase in mobo temps.

 

[Hendrik]

I've removed the 92mm fan from two Enermaxes. They're much quieter and no increase in mobo temps.

Same here - works without a problem.

 

[Nelmster]

I'm getting ready to do the PSU mod, and I found the sale at SVCompucycle on the Nidec and Panaflo L1A. The Nidec specs say 27CFM w/ 21dB, while the L1A says 24CFM at the same dB level. Everyone seems to love the Panaflo fans (for good reason), but does anyone have experience with the Nidec brand. Is this spec "hyped" up a little bit? I'll pay the $3 extra if the extra airflow will help.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[skriefal]

The 80mm Vantec Stealth is a rebadged version of the Nidec fan you're referring to. I've seen some comments from forum users who've used both the Stealth and the L1A, and the concensus seems to be that the L1A is noticeably quieter even though the official specs seem to suggest otherwise. The extra 3cfm of airflow -- if that spec is actually correct -- isn't likely to make much difference in temps, so the lower-noise L1A would seem to be the better choice.

 

[DrVos]

I have personal experience with the Stealths and they are by no means quieter than Panaflo's even though they are "rated" to be only 20dBA. I have found Papst and Panaflos to be of superior quality and are much quieter.

 

[ChefJoe]

I have put an enermax adjustable in an old AT power supply that was noisy. I used the tip of a knife to push the "tags" of the copper connecters inside the molex thing and was able to swap the molex connectors that way. I could have run the rpm monitoring lead somewhere, but didn't care because it was for a scsi side tower.

 

[Salvador]

With the Antec PS, I was able to slip the 2 wires past a gap in the corner of the top of the PS case. I just put the wires in that position and put the cover back on the power supply. The wires are tight in there, but they don't need to move anyway. I guess I could've taken a mm or two out of the gap, but there was really no need. I then zip tied the wire to the rest of the wires running out of the PS and plugged it directly into one of the Molex connectors on the PS. Works perfectly and I could have it back to the way it was before I even touched the power supply in minutes. No permanent mods whatsoever. Too bad Antec put a sticker on the cover that I had to break when I opened the cover, which voided my warrantee. Oh well..

BTW.. I used a PC Power & Cooling Silencer fan. It's a ton quieter than the high speed Adda fan that it replaced. It has less cfm, but it's more than enough to keep the PS cool IMO.

Sal

 

[Banana]

Same here. Instead of drilling a hole as suggested in OC Mod Shop, I used a wire cutter and removed one segment of the grill area of the power supply case. I cut out a piece that was only about 0.25 inch long. The resulting opening was large enough for a 3 pin plug to pass through.

1YP

 

[Ram0]

I need to know the same thing. I was thinking about getting 3 panaflos, one for exhaust, one for replacing the 300w enlight P/s fan (magik fan), and one for my PAL 8045. Do you think this would lower my noise levels pretty good? Right now I have no exhaust fan, and im using a generic fan for the pal 8045 ( I dunno one what kind it is, but its defenitely below 30 DB.

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by: Ram0
I need to know the same thing. I was thinking about getting 3 panaflos, one for exhaust, one for replacing the 300w enlight P/s fan (magik fan), and one for my PAL 8045. Do you think this would lower my noise levels pretty good? Right now I have no exhaust fan, and im using a generic fan for the pal 8045 ( I dunno one what kind it is, but its defenitely below 30 DB.

It depends on what you're replacing and what you're adding. You're removing two fans, which I gather are a little noisy, and adding three quiet fans. The difference may a little less noise. The best benefit is the type of noise. Some fans make an irritating whine, but the Panaflo sounds like a gentle breeze . . .

One thing you can try before replacing the fans is to plug each of your new fans in a spare plug in your case and listen to its sound. It'll give you an idea of what the change may be.

1YP