1 Topic by eflyguy

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Topic: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

From PC build experience, I know all fans are not created equal.

From just a couple of weeks with my SD4, I know the fans they use do not have ball bearing races which, in this heated environment, means the bushings are loud.

I'm quite capable of searching for quality BB fans, but wonder if this is a common upgrade and also (more the reason for this thread) are there additional fans I should add? The SD4 has an exhaust fan, and two on the extruder head. There are none one the x/y/z steppers - I think there should be? I remember seeing a print video where some kind of snap-on duct was attached to a motor, with a fan screwed to that.

I did search first, I promise. I can't figure out how to search on topic subject only..

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

2 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Yep, lots of posts about replacing fans in here. I wouldn't bother with the forum search tool, just use a google search with site:www.soliforum.com at the front :-).

I went for Noctua fans - a little pricey, but they make essentially no noise and come with bazillions of ways to connect them (I used the little "button" solderless splice gadgets to connect the one on the extruder without having to re-run all the wires, just cut the old ones leaving as much slack as possible).

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3 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

I have LOTS of fans.

30x30x10mm - 12v and 24v
40x40x10mm - 5v (I run two of these in series over my Sanguinololu)
40x40x30mm - Sanyo Denki 109P0412H301

All pretty quiet, all ball bearing.

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4 Reply by Serin

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

In my experience as an ex-audio tech it's worth noting that most people perceive volume differently.
So much so that I've had PSU sellers on Ebay tell me that they thought the 80dB fans in their PSU's were silent...
That's why I always recommend Noctua fans, there are few quieter options out there.

As to the additional fans, yeah, have one or two over the mobo of the printer to keep the drivers cool.
Maybe on the Y motor as well from experience, but you can probably get away with a heatsink instead if you find the motor getting too hot.

This is a crowd funding thing that I'm running: http://www.gofundme.com/bvi140 It's for pretty selfish reasons tongue

5 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Thanks!

This one?
http://www.amazon.com/40x10mm-A-Series- … B009NQLT0M

The mobo is in an enclosure, I was actually thinking of insulating that, and also putting a fan on the outside of the case to provide cool air to it?

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

6 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Yep, that's the Noctua fan I'm using in lots of places (on my SD2):

http://www.thingiverse.com/make:59909

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:168594

also replaced the fan on the extruder, and have plans to one day add one as a PWM controlled cooler for the nozzle.

Claghorn's Website

7 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Six of them are winging their way to me, should be here Sunday.. smile

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

8 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

eflyguy wrote:

Thanks!

This one?
http://www.amazon.com/40x10mm-A-Series- … B009NQLT0M

The mobo is in an enclosure, I was actually thinking of insulating that, and also putting a fan on the outside of the case to provide cool air to it?

Expensive jokers! Wow.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

9 Reply by Serin

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Just thought I'd add to this discussion a tad.
Ordered some 'Copal' brand 25x25x10 fans from Digikey to replace the 90dB fan the prometheus hotend comes with...
Specifically the 563-1117-ND part numbered versions that cost 12 bucks a pop.
They as it turns out are quite a bit quieter than my two Noctua's.

This is a crowd funding thing that I'm running: http://www.gofundme.com/bvi140 It's for pretty selfish reasons tongue

10 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Well, I'm committed already. smile I'm looking for a good holder for the x & y motors - suggestions on what works best? I've seen several on thingiverse..

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

11 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:128526 for the X
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:148038 for the Y

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12 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Thx!

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

13 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

I don't think the Y axis needs any extra cooling, it is connected to the big heat sink that is the metal frame. I've poked the Y motor before and it never seemed hot to me, the X was the one that got hot enough to raise blisters.

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14 Reply by exineport

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

I need to do the same - where are you guys powering them from? A new supply?

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15 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

exineport wrote:

I need to do the same - where are you guys powering them from? A new supply?

I made this thing which I plug a separate 12V power cube into:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:172530

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16 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Fans use virtually no power, I'll be tapping in to the existing wiring (as I'm replacing the noisy fans that are there now)..

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

17 Reply by grob

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

eflyguy wrote:

Fans use virtually no power, I'll be tapping in to the existing wiring (as I'm replacing the noisy fans that are there now)..

+1. So much easier than a second power brick! Just steal it from the existing extruder fan wiring, or the LED strip. smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
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18 Reply by exineport (edited by exineport 2014-09-01 04:16:00)

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

grob wrote:
eflyguy wrote:

Fans use virtually no power, I'll be tapping in to the existing wiring (as I'm replacing the noisy fans that are there now)..

+1. So much easier than a second power brick! Just steal it from the existing extruder fan wiring, or the LED strip. smile

Do we know the max amps that can go threw those lines atleast? I'll have to do some digging. I plan on adding five fans I think (x, y, case circulation, extruder tip, and board cooler).

Thanks for the replies guys!

Solidoodle 2 Pro - 3mm Glass Bed

19 Reply by adrian (edited by adrian 2014-09-01 07:27:13)

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

The above logic is sound - except there is only ~700ma spare in the OEM power bricks..

80ma 40mm fans are one thing; but the people running mutltiple 80mm's that *can* pull 230ma depending on spec need to be wary (don't ask me - but I seen 'it done... )

I agree a second power supply is overkill/cumbersome; and much more advocate just upspeccing the power supply as a whole and running an appropriate one that is no more than 80% loaded... But do be careful when dealing with that OEM brick;  as it (like most things on the SD) is skirting the upper bounds of its spec so it pays to be measured in ones cowboyesque actions wink

20 Reply by exineport

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

Understood, and thank you.

Any suggestions on a new brick? I'll look when I get home for a upgraded one.

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21 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

adrian wrote:

The above logic is sound - except there is only ~700ma spare in the OEM power bricks..

Yep. I noticed my LED light flickering stopped when I started running not only my new fans, but also the old one from my separate power cube (which I found my going through my junkpile - I think it might have once powered an old flatbed scanner that died).

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22 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

I have an abundance of options when it comes to power, so I'll see what these fans are pulling, check the supply, and upgrade if needed.

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

23 Reply by grob

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

eflyguy wrote:

I have an abundance of options when it comes to power, so I'll see what these fans are pulling, check the supply, and upgrade if needed.

+1 So sensible! smile

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24 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Replacing fans with better quality, quieter versions?

(I'm an EE..)

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.