OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

How much warmth the old 486's power supply produces? Is it certain that something will be damaged if I remove the fan? It's the only fan in the machine so removing it would make it silent.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Depends on the temperature in the room. Think it's dangerous for your power supply, anyway (and it will be very hard to find another one, if it's an AT model...). Nethertheless, if you try to remove it, remove the PC cover too.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Better to put a resistor on it with a temperature detector.
There are cheap ones that you just solder into the power vire to the fan.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Or try to find a more discrete fan, if the one you have is too old http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've never changed a fan inside a power supply but I suppose it won't be very easy to change. Hmm... after reconsidering the matter it might be easy to change if I just open the power supply (I've never done that http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ) But if I'd buy a new fan to it the fan would be more expensive than the whole computer http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I think I'll done nothing to the computer. It's just an old junk which I use seldom (but I don't want to break it however).

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

I would discourage you from trying to remove the fan. I'd suggest finding a sourse of "white sound" or "background noise". What I mean is play a CD with music that counters what I am guessing is a high pitch whine. something with a deaper bass might work.

What ever you do:
Backup your data. If that power supply goes you may not be able to find a replacement.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

If the issue is cost you might help the situation a lot by simply making sure the fan blades and air vents are clean. A thin layer of dust is enough to cause a significant db increase in noise. Also make sure the fan is mounted tightly to the supply and the supply is mounted tightly to the cabniet as vibrations cause noise as well. It won't make the fan silent, but it could drop it below the threshold of what your ears percieve as annoying.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Yes, removing or disabling the fan is likely to cause problems. Those old power supplies may have had a bit less wattage but they definitely built up a lot of heat. It's dangerous to even open the power supply, actually. There are capacitors in their which hold very large charges for a long time.

There are 'special' power supplies available these days with very quiet fans if all you want is a lower noise level. I don't know if they are available for the old AT type systems, though. They might only be available for ATX systems. You'll have to do some Googling and see what turns up. Try searching for something like 'quiet power supply'...

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Some PSU�s will not start unless they detect the fan. A trick that you can use to quiet them down is to take the 5+ lead and connect it to the 3.3v rail. Fan will run about 40% slower.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

The only purpose of the computer is to work as a electronic dictionary (my main computer isn't there where I need the dictionary) so I don't want to take pains with it. I just asked if it doesn't need the fan because it would have been an easy and fast way to muffle it.

Gryphin:
Hey thanks, that's a good idea I haven't even thought about it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif As I said the computer is only an old 486 and I just took it from the storage so there's nothing important to backup.

Geoschmo:
Thanks, I'll check those. Perhaps I'll also remove the safety grid from the front of the fan.

Baron:
Hmm, I think a new special silent power supply to an ancient computer would be a bit exaggeration, even if I'd manage to found one somewhere.

Thermodyne:
Do you think it will still cool enough?

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sure. They manage to cool when they are packed full of schmegma, which cuts it back by more than 50%

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">OK. But when they're full of what? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif schmegma: bad command or word name for me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

In this use it means nasty stuff of dubious origins. It actually is the stuff left behind after a Hebrew circumcision.

These people have some other uses for the word warning---very crude rude and abusive
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=schmegma

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

I still say go with a thermal resistor, worked great for me, almost soundless and has been working for years.

*persisiting*


Technical data of Noise Killer

Supply voltage: 12Vdc +/- 20% (available in any PC)

Max. load current: 500 mA (more than enough!)

Standby power: approx. 25 % (saves energy!)

Maximum fan speed: > 97 % of nominal. (for maximum cooling)

Noise reduction: 15 - 20 dB !! (sounds like 75-90% less!).

Ambient temp: 0�C - 50�C. (better than hard disk specs)

Temp. control range: 36�C - 38�C (+/- 2�C). (extra stable when hot!)

Size of module: 26 x 40 x 12 mm. (easy to fit)

Short circuit protection; virtually fool proof (not necessary for you)

Start booster for reliable operation with all types of fans. (safety first)


costs approx $15 (130skr) unless you want to make it yourself wich is much cheaper.

[ August 14, 2003, 03:01: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Check the label, it should have a UL mark on it. One of the safety tests we do (abnormal operation - impairment of cooling) is disconnect the fan and check temperatures. Assuming it's UL listed, the power supply shouldn't explode or catch fire if you disconnect the fan. But there are no guarantees that it will continue to work if you do that.

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

EDIT: obselete post.

If you do try it, for Cliff's sake don't run the PC near anything flammable.

ANOTHER EDIT: Thermo's schmegma is also spelt/ pronounced "smegma" in medical circles. Not sure which Version is derived from which. This is the source of the wonderful range of smeggy insults coined by Red Dwarf, so smeg off, you smegging smegheads...

[ August 14, 2003, 16:33: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Hehehe: http://www.pvpOnline.com/archive/2002/pvp20020611.gif

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Is there any official page to this silencer? I'm not interested to fix and use time for that old pc which I don't use much anyway but it sounds very suitable for my main computer that also needs to be muffled down a bit.

Every day I learn something new, today this important and usefull word http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Removing fan from 486\'s power supply?
 

Building on what geoschmo said about
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Check case cover and all of the drives. Make sure they do not vibrate.