[geeks] good source of cooling fans (for computers)

[Charles Shannon Hendrix]

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 06:50:26 -0500
Lionel Peterson <lionel4287 at verizon.net> wrote:

> On Tue, 2007-02-20 at 21:55, Charles Shannon Hendrix wrote:
> > I need to locate a 120 mm fan for a power supply.
> 
> What is this P/S used in? Might it not be easier/cheaper to find a
> replacement P/S than just a Fan? Personally, if the fan is starting to
> fail, I think I'd start to question the entire P/S...

I wouldn't be asking if that was the case.

It's a brand new power supply.  The fan makes a little rattle noise that I
can't stand.  It's a common problem with sleeve bearing fans mounted "upside
down" in the intake of a PC power supply.  Not all of them do it, but there
are enough complaints on the various forums to indicate it is a common
problem.

The highest quality fans are only $20, so I'm not going to get another power
supply.

> Also, when you say the power supply regulates the speed of the fan, I
> take that to mean the power supply varies the voltage supplied tot he
> fan - is that correct? That would mean the fan is just a simple fan,
> with no on-board logic, right?

I assume it uses voltage, yes.

The fan doesn't have a heat-sensitive speed control or anything like that.

In fact, that's a big part of my problem: almost all fans that match the
specs are also speed-controlled, and I don't want that.

BTW: even "simple" fans often have a power limit circuit to set their maximum
RPM.  That's fine and probably desirable.

> I've not bought replacement fans for my machines, and the only times I
> have bought fans would be at places like CompUSA or Microcenter to add
> 80 CM fans to PC cases. CompUSA carries a 120 MM fan, but the quality
> would be suspect. 

> Have you looked at mouser or digi-key?
> 
> Digi-Key: http://dkc1.digikey.com/us/en/pdf/Current.html
> 
> Mouser: http://www.mouser.com/
> 
> Mouser has a great interactive catalog, you can specify the dimensions,
> voltage, and CFM for the fan and it will tell you what they have...

I was trying last night to remember Mouser.  Thanks.

(looks at site)

Nice, but they are like a lot of other places: frequently missing parts of
the spec and lot's of specification errors.

That seems to be the rule with fan sellers.

However, they do have PDF manuals for their fans which have the correct
information, which is very nice.




-- 
shannon         | I want this Perl software checked for viruses.  Use Norton
                | Antivirus. 
                |         -- Charlie Kirkpatrick (software manager, Infinet)