Replacing a PC power supply fan

If you like this fan, did you know that they are fairly easy to take apart and lubricate. This usually gives them a completely fresh start and they'll be good for at least as much life as they've seen up to now.

To take them apart, just remove the sticker from one side of the hub, then pry out the cap under there. There are different designs beyond that point, but the whole object is to just remove whatever snap rings, etc you find and pull it apart. C

Clean up the shaft and put it back together with some fairly heavy oil (so it doesn't drip out right away.

Works like a charm, takes less time than buying a new one, and costs next to nothing.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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Depending on who made the old fan, you may be able to find out the specs from the manufacturer.

The current draw (which should be printed on the fan) will give you an idea. Try to find a replacement that uses about the same amount of power, and it should be pretty close to the same CFM and noise. Andy Cuffe

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com

Thanks Jim. That would have been my preference, I looked into the possibility when I had the fan out. There's nothing under the sticker, no obvious way to disassemble. The fan seems like it might be glued to the rotor, pried on in it lightly, but I was afraid of breaking the fan entirely. At the moment its' running, so I can use the PC until a replacement arrives. If nothing else, the ton of dust I blew out of the PSU should aid cooling Plus the case has multiple fans, one of which also pressurizes the PSU, I think it will hold up until I can get a new fan.

Good ideas Andy, thanks!

I have lubricated many fans in my time and broke a few trying to pop off the blades. Oil last longer than silicone but attracts more dust. If you buy a new fan, get a ball bearing fan. 30 to 40 cfm about 6 dollars.

So cost is your deciding factor?

Not rocket science, the same CFM as the original fan?

Why have a fan at all, then?

Piss off, asshole

Oohh... I'm impressed. A moron tells me to 'piss off'.

Fair enough. I've never seen one I couldn't get apart, so once your replacement arrives you might just go ahead and pry harder. I can imagine an assembly method whereby the fan and hub cover are snapped (or glued, as you say) over the motor after the motor is assembled onto the shaft. Things like this are often easy to take apart once you know the tricks, but learning the tricks often requires one sacrificial victum.

Let us know what you find.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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