Tricky-Ricky Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 One for the computer buffs, i have just got a four channel HDD recorder for my security cameras, but the dam fan is too loud for the bedroom where its kept (due to lead and other restrictions) Now what i want to ask is can the hard drive survive without the fan, or maybe add a rheostat and half the speed? or replace the HD, don't really want more expense, i have seen quiet n cool boxes for them? if it would fit, or is there another solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Plethora Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 What sort of connector does the fan have? a 4 pin molex style one or 3 pin one? If you have the 4 pin one you can easily mod the cable so it runs at 7 volts rather than 12, makes a big difference on noise and still keeps decent airflow. A pic would be handy if you have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Is it a complete box with the fan installed? Or just a seperate fan on the HDD? The fan might be for general cooling of the system not just the HDD. Most drives can handle 60 degree case temperatures whilst operating if that helps, you could get a DVM with thermocouple and stick it to the top of the HDD and see how hot it gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 Its a two pin connector to the main circuit board, and its definitely for the HDD as when i looked as it was making a strange wine noise yesterday its situated right behind the HDD and nearly touching it which is why it made even more noise, i just moved the HDD forward a little and it got rid of the wine, but its still way too noisy! The HDD was quite hot as well? i think the machine was a made in China job, so the HDD is indubitably a cheap item, the fan is 40mm and the case hight is about 45mm so I'm not sure if i could substitute one of those on top fans, so i may just try the rheostat idea if it wont cause a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 You can get quiet fans, although 1) they wouldn't eliminate all noise and 2) getting a straight swap may or may not be tricky depending on your specific unit. It sounds a bit like the fan has noisy bearings, possibly a cheap fan was fitted to keep the costs down. HDDs with less platters tend to use less energy which (with a bit of a leap) might equate to less heat needing to be dissipated. I don't know if the difference is significant enough to bother with though. I have an old NAS enclosure that doesn't have a fan. Cooling is achieved by the enclosure being metallic, and being a snug fit around the HDD thus the case acts as a passive heatsink. If it were mine I'd have a look in Maplins and see if I could get a replacement fan for it, fabricating a mount if necessary. Failing that, can you unplug the fan and run the box with the lid off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 How old is the fan? Might be that the bearings have just gone or its a cheap nasty one. You could invest in a ball/fluid bearing solution as they would be much quieter and they are only a few quidd. I wouldn't run the HDDs without some kind of cooling in a SFF case. Your other cheap option is to install everything to another case that supports larger fans - ideally 120mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Could be as simple as moving it into a more 'open' environment. My mates computer made a noise like a volcano. He moved it to the other side of the desk and the fan was no longer restricted being near the wall. The air circulation was much better, the fan didn't have to work as hard and it was like a new computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Solid state FTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Solid state FTW This guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 LOL! i have seen the price of the solid state units and i could buy two or three of the security recorders for what they cost. It is new, and the noise is just the air moving though the fan aperture, and i think the proximity of the HDD. Should i try a potentiometer on the + lead of the fan and see what it achieves rather than start throwing money at it, or i might as well send it back. It doesn't matter where i put it its still noisy, but i obviously need it where i can still use the remote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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