PSU Fan problem / possible solution?

[Thomieboy]

Hello everyone!

 

I have a bit of a problem here..

My psu fan's bearing broke down and it started makeing a lot of clicking noises.

I contacted Be Quiet and they said I have to ship it to them on my own cost...

The fan is the only problem here so I asked if they could send me a replacement fan, but they declined.

They said that they do not support customer fixes. I can understand that a little bit. 

So I'm just going to buy a new fan. I have a Noctua NF-F12 I can use.

So I installed it. Note that the Noctua is a PWM and the PSU uses only two wires.

After instalation I tested with the paperclip short the green and black pin method.

The fan spinned up then goes slower and slower... Until it stopped. I suppose that the PSU delivered a too low voltage too the noctua... So I can't use that fan

I really want to use the noctue because my whole system is fitted with them and its just such a nice and quiet fan.

 

Now my question, what do you guys think I should do?

I made a few options:

 

1 -  Use the noctua and let it be controlled by my Motherboard

2 -  Use the noctua and let it be controlled by my NZXT Grid Controller

3 -  Buy a new Be Quiet fan (Same as the one inside it now?)

4 -  Buy another fan from a different brand (Suggestions)

 

Here are some specs about the PSU:

be quiet! Pure Power L8 – CM – 730W

120 mm fan - 2000 RPM

Silentwings L8 (BQT T12025-MS-20)

 

Thanks in advance everyone!

[petem]

Hello everyone!

 

I have a bit of a problem here..

My psu fan's bearing broke down and it started makeing a lot of clicking noises.

I contacted Be Quiet and they said I have to ship it to them on my own cost...

The fan is the only problem here so I asked if they could send me a replacement fan, but they declined.

They said that they do not support customer fixes. I can understand that a little bit. 

So I'm just going to buy a new fan. I have a Noctua NF-F12 I can use.

So I installed it. Note that the Noctua is a PWM and the PSU uses only two wires.

After instalation I tested with the paperclip short the green and black pin method.

The fan spinned up then goes slower and slower... Until it stopped. I suppose that the PSU delivered a too low voltage too the noctua... So I can't use that fan

I really want to use the noctue because my whole system is fitted with them and its just such a nice and quiet fan.

 

Now my question, what do you guys think I should do?

I made a few options:

 

1 -  Use the noctua and let it be controlled by my Motherboard

2 -  Use the noctua and let it be controlled by my NZXT Grid Controller

3 -  Buy a new Be Quiet fan (Same as the one inside it now?)

4 -  Buy another fan from a different brand (Suggestions)

 

Here are some specs about the PSU:

be quiet! Pure Power L8 – CM – 730W

120 mm fan - 2000 RPM

Silentwings L8 (BQT T12025-MS-20)

 

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

Noctua is overkill for a PSU, and as you noticed, not compatible anyway.  Get a good, quiet, aftermarket fan.  

 

However, if you are set on using the Noctua, get a 3 pin to 2 pin adapter - it will run the Noctua on full, but that should at least work.  The third wire is normally for the fan speed sensor.  4 wire fans add a PWM signal to vary the fans' speed.

 

If you decide against the Noctua, I'm not familiar with Belgium sellers, but Cooler Master is a pretty reliable fan.

 

- Pete

 

P.S. this assumes the PSU is not using some sort of proprietary control for the fan.  You might want to inspect it closely or use a VOM to make sure it is supplying a full 12v to the fan.

[Thomieboy]

Noctua is overkill for a PSU, and as you noticed, not compatible anyway.  Get a good, quiet, aftermarket fan.  

 

However, if you are set on using the Noctua, get a 3 pin to 2 pin adapter - it will run the Noctua on full, but that should at least work.  The third wire is normally for the fan speed sensor.  4 wire fans add a PWM signal to vary the fans' speed.

 

If you decide against the Noctua, I'm not familiar with Belgium sellers, but Cooler Master is a pretty reliable fan.

 

- Pete

 

P.S. this assumes the PSU is not using some sort of proprietary control for the fan.  You might want to inspect it closely or use a VOM to make sure it is supplying a full 12v to the fan.

 

The PSU has a two wire connection that varies between X Volt and 12V. I don't know what the X is but I know it's too low for the noctua PWM fan. I suppose that a 3 wire fan is better suited for this. A friend will give me a 3 pin one next weekend and I'll test that one.

[petem]

The PSU has a two wire connection that varies between X Volt and 12V. I don't know what the X is but I know it's too low for the noctua PWM fan. I suppose that a 3 wire fan is better suited for this. A friend will give me a 3 pin one next weekend and I'll test that one.

 

Ooo, you got a voltage controlled fan - not too common except in PSUs, but most 3 speed fans with an adapter will work ok.  Check out http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2044996/replacing-power-supply-fan-quieter.html

 

- Pete

[Thomieboy]

Ooo, you got a voltage controlled fan - not too common except in PSUs, but most 3 speed fans with an adapter will work ok.  Check out http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2044996/replacing-power-supply-fan-quieter.html

 

- Pete

 

What do you think about the idea to let the fan be controlled by my fan controller? (Or mobo)

[W-L]

What do you think about the idea to let the fan be controlled by my fan controller? (Or mobo)

 

You can replace the fan so it is controlled by the mobo, or just get an adapter to plug into the 2 pin inside the PSU. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-pin-to-2-pin-Cable-Adapter-Converter-Fan-Cable-for-Mobile-Racks-YA-C2P-/400589017251

 

If you do open the PSU the regular safety stuff of unplugging the PSU, pressing the power button a few times and letting it sit for another 30-60mins before opening. When open be aware of the contacts on the capacitors and to not short them out.

[Thomieboy]

I have fixed it. I used a 3 pin fan (Coolink Swif2 - 120mm 1201) a friend had laying around. It works perfectly and it's even much quieter now