E/G Power Supply - replacing fans with modern ones

[marcmozart]

Did anybody replace his Power Supply Fans with modern ones?

I mean this should be a fairly easy upgrade with all the quiet computer fans out there.

The noise the original ones make really bothers me after a while...

UPDATE: more info here http://forum.sslmixed.com/index.php?topic=580.0

[sintech]

Hi Marc, the G+ supplies (or at some point) SSL did away with the third fan (the one that cools the regulator cards) all the heat is at the front, so you can reconfigure with 2 115v fans.

NOS Direct new replacements here, and this is a great price!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400319638031?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[marcmozart]

Yes, mine has only two fans, I was wondering about that.

I don't need new ones - what I'm after is quieter ones. I guess these NOS Direct new replacements will make the same kind of noise.

Hi Marc, the G+ supplies (or at some point) SSL did away with the third fan (the one that cools the regulator cards) all the heat is at the front, so you can reconfigure with 2 115v fans.

NOS Direct new replacements here, and this is a great price!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400319638031?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[brewery]

hi marc,

most of the noise you here is turbulence from the air rushing through the psu. even if the fans were quieter, it wouldn't make a huge difference.
(as long as the fans are clean and lubricated - having just one faulty fan in there makes things much louder)

the computer mainframe is especially noisy, because it's so big and resonant. really no way around having a dedicated machine room.

[marcmozart]

Thats a good point. I'll still look into it. A few years ago I replaced the original Pabst Fan of an AMS RMX-16 with a quiet modern one (Sharkoon Silent something...). The new one was not recognizable AT ALL and did a great job. I would probably run the fans with an external power supply.

hi marc,

most of the noise you here is turbulence from the air rushing through the psu. even if the fans were quieter, it wouldn't make a huge difference.
(as long as the fans are clean and lubricated - having just one faulty fan in there makes things much louder)

the computer mainframe is especially noisy, because it's so big and resonant. really no way around having a dedicated machine room.

[jimlfixit]

The SSL 11u computer rack was always noisy with all those many fans giving out their characteristic sound. They are directly fixed into a large metal box which, in turn, is housed in a large metal 19" rack hence all the resonance. Perhaps there could be 15-19 fans giving it some gun at any one point (11u rack, 1 computer and 2 console PSU's plus a changeover unit perhaps, especially if you have a larger console?).

How about mounting the fans via rubber grommets (this was done by SSL at some point) to provide some isolation from the computer rack? Then, fit some more grommets or nylon bushes to the computer rack M6 fixing positions in the 19" rack and also put some rubber or other material on the computer rack shelves. Also, position the whole 19" rack off the hard floor area on some form of softer material. Try to isolate the fans from the 19" units and also the units from the rack (direct metal to metal contact will resonate more when the fans are on and vibrating!).

Basically, any fixing screws need to be isolated, via rubber grommets and/or plastic bushes from the fastenings they are screwed into.

The SSL computer 19" rack should be in a separate place (machine room?) to the console behind closed doors of course!

Hope this helps from Jim Lassen

[marcmozart]

Thanks Jim,
excellent concepts! I'll try these and report the outcome!

I do have a dedicated machine-room, but it's a just one layer of drywall away from the control-room. Still hear the noise a little bit, but I'm confident these concepts will solve my problem.

I'm not running the SSL computer so it's just 2 x PSU + Changeover Unit.

Just ordered a selection of different speed computer fans, similar sized to the original ones.

The SSL 11u computer rack was always noisy with all those many fans giving out their characteristic sound. They are directly fixed into a large metal box which, in turn, is housed in a large metal 19" rack hence all the resonance. Perhaps there could be 15-19 fans giving it some gun at any one point (11u rack, 1 computer and 2 console PSU's plus a changeover unit perhaps, especially if you have a larger console?).

How about mounting the fans via rubber grommets (this was done by SSL at some point) to provide some isolation from the computer rack? Then, fit some more grommets or nylon bushes to the computer rack M6 fixing positions in the 19" rack and also put some rubber or other material on the computer rack shelves. Also, position the whole 19" rack off the hard floor area on some form of softer material. Try to isolate the fans from the 19" units and also the units from the rack (direct metal to metal contact will resonate more when the fans are on and vibrating!).

Basically, any fixing screws need to be isolated, via rubber grommets and/or plastic bushes from the fastenings they are screwed into.

The SSL computer 19" rack should be in a separate place (machine room?) to the console behind closed doors of course!

Hope this helps from Jim Lassen

[StefanNowak]

Personally, I wouldn't fuck around with the fans.

[sintech]

+1

I'd put New direct replacements, and make the drywall better/thicker/another skin

[kilmister]

+1
You should find out how much air fans are capable to move. Usually silent versions are moving less. Also I would be suprised if these computer grade fans has life cycle anything near compared to Papst.

-Paavo

[sintech]

Guy's, I'm wondering about airflow in the Console and Computer Power supplies.

Always thought... the air is pulled through the supply and expelled via the fans. Having checked some of the supplies here, I'm seeing a mixture of pulling and pushing.

Both service manuals state airflow is "right to left" assuming that's looking from the front.. the fans are pushing, looking from the back, the fans are pulling!

What is correct?

The 11u computer Rack certainly pulls air through and out the top.

[nycsudio1]

From what I've seen on a few console psu's including mine the fan on the back of the unit is mounted in reverse position from the other two.

I had the same concern but realized that the 2 fans in the front of the unit are the most important ones so I never bothered with the one in the back and kept them mounted according to the original orientation.

[marcmozart]

From what I've seen on a few console psu's including mine the fan on the back of the unit is mounted in reverse position from the other two.

I had the same concern but realized that the 2 fans in the front of the unit are the most important ones so I never bothered with the one in the back and kept them mounted according to the original orientation.

My G-Series Supply does not have the rear fan (close to the regulator boards) - not a good idea I believe, since the regulator boards clearly show signs of being overheated. More here: http://forum.sslmixed.com/index.php?topic=580.0

[sintech]

From what I've seen on a few console psu's including mine the fan on the back of the unit is mounted in reverse position from the other two.

I had the same concern but realized that the 2 fans in the front of the unit are the most important ones so I never bothered with the one in the back and kept them mounted according to the original orientation.

What would you say is the correct orientation? Sucking out of the unit., or blowing inwards?

[marcmozart]

I would say "sucking in" since I have to go very close to the fan with my hand in order to feel air moving, whereas on the left side (looking at the supply from front) there is clearly hot air coming out of the supply.