Introduction: Computer Power Supply Fan Replacement
In my case, I decided to replace the fan because my cheap power supply's fan started making enough noise to drive me to distraction...
WARNINGS
- Power supplies have dangerous voltages inside, even when completely disconnected. Capacitors on the line side usually retain their full charge even when unplugged, and can inflict a painful or even lethal shock. Please proceed only if you know what you are doing.
- Disassembling the power supply will void its warranty.
- Opening your PC may void its warranty, though I haven't come across such a computer so far. Also, fiddling with the insides may damage other components, so go ahead only if you are sure of yourself.
- 2011-05-02 : Corrected explanation of fan dimensions. Thanks to KanyonKris for the correction (see comment at bottom)
Step 1: Before You Start
You will need to know what kind of fan you need to replace. Obviously, the only way to know this is to open up the power supply and see what type is required. In my case, I had to open it up twice; once to find out the type of fan, and the second time to replace it.
For your safety:
Before opening the power supply, try to discharge the capacitors inside as much as possible. I did this by switching on the PC and unplugging the power cord. Of course, there is no guarantee that this will completely discharge the capacitors.
Another method is to use a 1 megaohm resistor to short the capacitors. The capacitors are the large ones shown in step 6.
Step 2: Tools
- screwdriver (to open PC case and remove power supply screws)
- wire cutter / stripper
- soldering iron, solder and desoldering pump (in case fan needs to be soldered)
- vacuum cleaner / compressed air can (to clean out dust)
Step 3: Open PC
First disconnect all cables connected to the PC and open up the case. Usually the case can be opened without tools, but in some cases you will have to unscrew the cover.
Step 4: Disconnect Power Supply Cables
Remove all cables coming from the power supply to the motherboard, hard discs, optical drives, floppy drive, and whatever else you may have. Sometimes there is a connection to the video adapter, and the motherboard may have two connections in different places. Disconnect all of these.
You need not disconnect other cables, but you may have to remove some data cables to get at the power connectors.
Remember where everything was plugged in! Usually there is only one place where each connector fits, but make sure you know how to put the cables back. In some cases (like Serial ATA hard disks), there are two power connectors, but you only use one (using both may damage the drive).
The easiest option here is to take a photograph (if you have a digital camera).
Step 5: Remove Power Supply
Once the cables are disconnected, you are ready to remove the power supply from the PC case.
First remove the screws connecting the power supply to the case at the back of the PC. Once these are out, you can lift out the power supply.
In some cases (like branded PCs), there is no need to unscrew the power supply, you can unplug it by removing the plastic tabs holding it down.
Step 6: Open Power Supply Cover
Now that you have the power supply out, you can remove the cover to get at the fan. Note that opening the cover will void the warranty. The case is usually opened by unscrewing the top. If you are unlucky, the top will be riveted on to prevent tampering, and you will have to drill out the rivets (not covered in this Instructable).
After opening the cover, unscrew the fan as shown. The four screws on the rear hold the fan in place.
Now you can finally figure out what fan to buy.
Note that some power supplies have two fans, one at the rear and one at the bottom. Also, the location of the fan(s) may be different from what I've shown.
Step 7: Get Replacement Fan
Buy or salvage a fan that closely matches the existing one. You have to consider the size, and voltage and current ratings. Further, you have to make sure it is powerful enough to cool the power supply. You need to make sure it will fit inside your power supply, so get one with the same dimensions (or as near as possible; DIYers can usually file away the excess bits ;-))
The size is the dimensions of the fan. My fan was the 80mm (8cm) type, meaning it is 80mm by 80mm. The voltage and current ratings are written on the label. You can usually use a regular PC case fan here. I picked the replacement based on its noise rating as well.
The cooling capacity is decided by the flow rate in CFM which is c ubic f eet of air moved per m inute (can be approximated by RPM) of the fan. Unfortunately, my power supply fan gave neither, so I picked one based on the wind output (felt by hand). The computer parts store had several fans being demonstrated, so I could compare the flow rate. Alternatively, try searching the fan manufacturer's web site for specifications.
You can check this site for reference.
Step 8: Remove Old Fan
After you buy the replacement fan, you can remove the old fan from the power supply.
If the fan is connected via a header on the PCB, you can simply unplug it and plug in the new fan. In my case it was soldered directly. If this is the case, make sure you get the same type of connector for the new fan.
If the fan is soldered, you have two options - cut mid-wire, join and insulate, or, as I decided to do, unsolder from the PCB and solder the new fan directly. This is slightly more trouble but the result looked better.
If you decide to unsolder the fan, first remove the power supply PCB from the case. This is attached via several screws. It is best to move it as little as possible, because of the dozens of wires connected. Moving unnecessarily will probably result in broken wires, which will be extremely hard to find. I moved the PCB only enough to remove and replace the fan.
Another advantage of this is, you are unlikely to touch the high voltage area of the PCB.
Step 9: Connect New Fan
Prepare the new fan wire for connection. First cut the cable to slightly longer than the original. The additional length is to allow for different placement / routing of the wire.
If there are three wires, you only need the red and black ones. The yellow is a sensor wire, not used here.
Solder the wires to the same place as the old fan. Make sure of the polarity. Then screw the fan to the case, once again making sure of the correct orientation (reversing this will mean the air will be blown in the wrong direction).
Step 10: Test Power Supply
Once you have fitted the new fan, it is a good idea to test that the power supply actually works, and the fan rotates properly. I skipped this step myself, so you'll need to check the following site, which describes how to operate the power supply without connecting it to the motherboard.
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/15751-info-can-i-use-two-power.html
Step 11: Reconnect and Power Up
If the power supply works OK, you can put it back into the case and reconnect it to the motherboard. Make sure all the connectors are in the right places. Reconnect all cables to the back.
Once connected, power up the PC. I had a hair-raising moment when the PC refused to boot at first, turned out I had dislodged one side of the CPU heat sink, and it was floating without making contact. Make sure that you don't mess up other connections when replacing the power supply, double check everything before switching on.
Enjoy your new fan!
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This is my first instructable, so please point out any mistakes / deficiencies
40 Comments
12 years ago on Step 7
IMPORTANT CORRECTION - The fan size is is the length along any side of the housing (L in image below), not the distance between screw holes.
For example: a 80mm fan is 80mm across. The distance between screw holes is 71.5mm.
Also make sure the width (W in image below) of the replacement fan will fit in the power supply. The easiest way to do this is to buy a replacement that has the same width as the old fan.
Reply 12 years ago on Step 7
Thanks for the correction... I could have sworn I actually measured it as 80mm between screw holes. Are you sure it is the same for all fans? Google is being unhelpful today, I still couldn't find a site that actually gives the exact specifications.
Still, I think you are right, I'll update the instructable as soon as I find a decent reference to link to.
Reply 12 years ago on Step 7
I'm sure the dimension (ie 80mm) is across the fan body. All the fan manufacturers I know of use these dimensions. The illustration above was taken from Mouser, a large distributor of electronic parts. Digikey is the same.
I too was surprised I couldn't quickly find a good source on the web about these fans. If I would have found one I would have included a link. The best I could do was the illustration.
13 years ago on Introduction
I find that if the fan is really annoyingly noisy, pulling off the label and removing the rubber plug, exposing the bearing (sleeve or ball), then applying a few drops of 3-in-1 oil and letting it settle in virtually silences them, so you get more use out of them and more time to go buy a new fan... :)
And yes, do be careful of them capacitors, I have been shocked a couple of times by them, and it hurts, majorly!!! It's like someone stabbing a hot screwdriver into your skin and muscles, it's not something that you'd want to happen, well, not unless you're a weirdo... :S
14 years ago on Introduction
If your computer is old enough that the fan in the power supply is making noise, it is probably older than the warranty is long. Good Instructable, though. I read one edition of Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs and he warned people against ever opening a power supply because of the potentially dangerous voltages, even when disconnected. Still, it would be possible.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Yes, you are right, the warranty has long since expired. I did post warnings about the dangerous voltages inside, but if you are careful, a simple replacement like this shouldn't be too dangerous.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
just stay clear of capacitors (they look like cylinders with two wires going into the board), as they can hold high voltages long after the supply is unplugged (years). also be careful about touching the board itself as those leads the capacitors are connected to go somewhere.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
To discharge them,short green wire to any black while unplugged.That turns it on only to discharge the caps.
6 years ago
How to change Computer Power Supply FAN PSU FAN
https://youtu.be/G8th7FQmgfs
Its hard to focus when you have a noisy computer running next to you.
Behold the solution is available to you now
Change to Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX 3PIN FAN.
Silverstone SFX_L PSU are notoriously known for Imbalanced Rotors, when running in low rpm and vertical position they make galloping noise.
I tried 3 different fans before I bite the NOCTUA Bullet.
Silverstone SST-FN123 12015 - Made Grinding Noise
Corsair 12025 FAN - Too big to fit in Power Supply
OEM FAN - Made Annoying galloping Noise
6 years ago
How likely would I be to get a shock from a brand new power supply that
I'm sure has set in a distribution center for quite awhile? I have been
trying to find a power supply with an orange led fan for a few years
now I have contacted several manufacturers asking them if I purchase the
fan could they replace it but I have not heard back from them, so I
guess I am left with the only option of attempting this myself to finish
off my son's "dream machine."
8 years ago on Introduction
I'm one that adds engine oil to the fan bearing, and this can last a good long time.
8 years ago on Introduction
Couldn't you have also just found a dead mobo, removed the two-pin fan header from that and solder on those header pins to make the fan more easily replaceable?
8 years ago on Step 3
testing
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice job. Good pictures and explanations.
I have replaced a couple of PSU fans with good success each time. I much prefer the cost of the fan over the cost of a new PSU.
10 years ago on Step 4
Sometimes (like with my computer) you can't see all the connections, so you may want to tag the connections by wrapping a "tag" of masking tape to each wire, and writing down where it came from when you disconnect it.
10 years ago on Step 10
For almost all power supplies, simply connect the green wire to any black wire with any suitable wire or un-coated paperclip straightened, then bent into a "U" shape.
Adding a photo doesn't seem to be working, so here's how to know you have the right spot. With the locking tab of the motherboard power connector facing up, and the holes facing towards you, the green wire is always the fourth from the left, and there is a ground (black) wire on either side of it. Simply take a wire with bare ends or an uncurled paperclip, and put one end in the green wire hole, and the other into the hole to either side of it. Connect power to the power supply, and turn on the power switch on the power supply itself if it has one. The power supply should power up, and the fan should spin. If not, disconnect the power cord immediately.
10 years ago on Introduction
my fan started to be very noisy and just lubing it didn't help then i changed fan and now its really quiet tnx
11 years ago on Step 7
I ended up using an 80CFM 80mm fan. It sounds like a jet and always blasts out cold air (it more than just does the job).
12 years ago on Introduction
i am always touching capacitors even when it is powered on, and i am still alive, am i?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You have to touch the leads, not the top of the capacitor, for it to be lethal. Do you ever get a shock?