Vibrating fans when used with a controller

snedie

snedie

snedie

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26 Aug 2009
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So I purchased the "apache" fans from OcUK, expecting, given the reviews, them to be fairly silent, which in terms of moving air they are. However, they vibrate like mad when not running flat out.

So, I purchased the "viper" "super silent" fans in the hope that these being a fan designed for low rpm's would be better...nope, exactly the same issue, strong vibrations: This is both attached to something and held in my hand.

Not sure what to think here, problem with the fan controller (Akasa 6ch, PWM), or just rubbish fans?

Just to note, I have three Noctua NF-P12's on this same controller and they run just fine. These fans however are not PWM, so this is leading me to believe here in lies the issue.

Ideas?
 
i would say that the noctua fans are better quality and the motor can handle a variety of voltages and the bearings are good quality, obviously the akasa's cant, so why not just replace them with more noctua fans then? :)
 
The whole point of PWN fans are to handle varying voltages, common sense would say the Noctua's would come out worse...Would really rather not spend £16/fan.
 
the only thing i can think of is that with PWM, the 4th wire tells the motor the speed to spin at, but i guess the fan controller just reduces the motors voltage

that is very vague and probably wrong, i really am clutching at straws with this one :confused:
 
Actually your comment just made me look at the connections for the controller, and although they accommodate pin PWN connectors, there are only 3 wires.

Wonder if these PWM fans don't like voltage modification?
 
Hi, PWM dosn't use any voltage control, check what PWM means (plenty of info if you Google. Basicaly pulses power ie on off on off etc etc. This as effect of reducing fan speed). It needs 4th wire, else its running as a normal fan & to change speed needs voltage control.
I have a Lamptron FC5 V2, i bought some Fans, Sythe Gentle Typhoons (2 x 1450rpm & a 1850rpm) & a Akasa Viper.
Few tests i have done, Akasa Viper is not the best on the controller, noise wise etc. Plus it needs about 5 to 5.2V to start up, at this voltage runs at 700rpm. It certainly don't like being horizontal as well, due to its bearing type.
However put it on a Gelid Tranquillo CPU cooler & it runs OK via PWM header/ control on mobo. On MSI mobo everything idling running about 580rpm.
Fan controllers can take PWM fans, but in most cases, don't mean PWM control, volt reg control.


Cheers BOB
 
All fans are on radiators.

I'll just buy a load of Noctua fans, up to now they have never let me down. Just wondering if OcUK would let me RMA them.
 
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