1 Topic by itsmejosephikrakowski

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Topic: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

I'm waiting on some new parts for my printer but in the meantime I was wondering if its possible to just swap the fan with a quieter noctua fan? The printer when running is kind of loud (louder then the Da Vinci Jr's I'm used to using) and I was looking at some stuff like a concrete bed for it to rest on and some stepper motor dampeners to make it just a hair quieter in operation. I'm assuming the fan on the Mini is running at 12v so I'd assume I could just clip the wires and solder the ones onto the new fan but my only concern is the noctua won't supply enough air.

2 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

looking at some stuff like a concrete bed for it to rest on

The 2 dollar paver mod is like the cheapest and best way to quite resonating noise.
I have been meaning to try it.

Assuming the Mini fan is indeed 12 volts a noctura should work great. these fans have a great reputation . the last time I checked they are not available in 24 volt . you could always do a voltage divider.

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3 Reply by itsmejosephikrakowski

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Re: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

Ah okay I figured it might run at 12v and would actually be 24v. I'm sure using a multimeter will help finding out if that's the case or not and if it is I'll pick up a voltage converter.

4 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

itsmejosephikrakowski wrote:

Ah okay I figured it might run at 12v and would actually be 24v. I'm sure using a multimeter will help finding out if that's the case or not and if it is I'll pick up a voltage converter.

just a note here on power converters. You will no longer have any speed control over the fan if you use a converter. They are designed to put out a specific voltage when there is a wide input range. So even though the input would vary as it should to control speed, the converter will keep the output at a constant 12v. I would suggest getting 24 volt fans and just look at the SPL and get the lowest you can find. I have 24 volt fans in my Predator and it is in my bedroom running at night when I sleep.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
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Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

5 Reply by itsmejosephikrakowski (edited by itsmejosephikrakowski 2020-12-21 22:52:07)

  • itsmejosephikrakowski
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Re: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

Thats true I didn't think about that, I can go ahead and just splice a fan in worst case it just might not work right I could just switch to the other one.
Edit: Looked up some buck converter videos and I have a better grasp on what to do so this will definitely be something I try out next weekend.

I do have another question now though! The Davinci Mini only has one fan connector but would it be possible to split the signal so I can plug in two? Kinda dumb but I wanted to see if I can add a second fan for part cooling. Worst case I do have a 40mm usb fan I could use and just power externally.

6 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Can I replace mini's hotend fan with a noctua fan?

itsmejosephikrakowski wrote:

Thats true I didn't think about that, I can go ahead and just splice a fan in worst case it just might not work right I could just switch to the other one.
Edit: Looked up some buck converter videos and I have a better grasp on what to do so this will definitely be something I try out next weekend.

I do have another question now though! The Davinci Mini only has one fan connector but would it be possible to split the signal so I can plug in two? Kinda dumb but I wanted to see if I can add a second fan for part cooling. Worst case I do have a 40mm usb fan I could use and just power externally.

The issue would be if the MOSFET on the board that runs that fan can handle the current of an additional fan. You would need to look up the datasheet for the MOSFET and see what it's rated current is. Then look at the stock fans current and add the new fans current to it and see if it exceeds the MOSFETs rating. Most likely it won't. But if it does it will burn it out and then neither fan works.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.