PSU fan no longer spinning

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe Jorgenson
  • Start date Start date
J

Joe Jorgenson

The fan on my PSU (not sure of the brand) has stopped spinning.

I opened it up to see if I can replace it, but the fan's wires are soldered
into the circuitry.

Is it safe using a PSU without a fan? Or should I buy a new one
immediately?

Thanks.
 
Joe Jorgenson said:
The fan on my PSU (not sure of the brand) has stopped spinning.

I opened it up to see if I can replace it, but the fan's wires are
soldered into the circuitry.

Is it safe using a PSU without a fan? Or should I buy a new one
immediately?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You can still replace the fan. If there's more than an inch of slack in the
wire, just cut the wire close to the fan. Strip the wire, connect a new fan
there. Solder, crimp connect, or just twist wires together and protect with
electrical tape.

However, if you are not sure of the brand of PSU, it's probably better just
to replace the PSU. It's more likely to fail if it overheats. But even if
the fan was still running, it's better to have a good name-brand power
supply anyway. Try enermax or fortron/sparkle for a replacement. -Dave
 
Joe Jorgenson said:
The fan on my PSU (not sure of the brand) has stopped spinning.

I opened it up to see if I can replace it, but the fan's wires are
soldered into the circuitry.

Is it safe using a PSU without a fan?
Click to expand...
No. The PSU will overheat.
Or should I buy a new one immediately?
Yes. PSU that is.
 
Joe said:
The fan on my PSU (not sure of the brand) has stopped spinning.

I opened it up to see if I can replace it, but the fan's wires are soldered
into the circuitry.

Is it safe using a PSU without a fan?
Click to expand...

Only if it's a fanless design. Otherwise the heatsinks are far too
small to cool adequately without some forced fan air flow, and most
supplies don't even contain circuitry to safely shut down the power in
case of overheating.
Or should I buy a new one immediately?
Click to expand...

A new fan can be spliced into the existing wires with small wire nuts
or butt splices, but don't merely twist the wires together and cover
them with electrical tape since it has a high chance of unravelling and
then possibly allowing the bare end of a wire to come in contact with
exposed high voltage inside the supply. Use a nylon wire tie to bundle
the fan wires so they can't become tangled in the fan blades.

A very good but inexpensive make of power supply is Fortron-Source
(several brands), sold by, among others, Newegg and Directron, but if
you can get to a Fry's today, look at the Antec case with 350W power
supply on sale for just $25 after rebate (expires today).
 
You guys are crazy, go with a new power supply.

Even if you manage to replace it, you have increased your wire
impedance with a splice or repair job which ensures that the fan will
be not nearly as effective as the original one. Thereby causing heat
issues and possibly fire issues...

Electrical fires are no fun...

-Randy
King of Microsoft
 
Randella said:
You guys are crazy, go with a new power supply.

Even if you manage to replace it, you have increased your wire
impedance with a splice or repair job which ensures that the fan will
be not nearly as effective as the original one. Thereby causing heat
issues and possibly fire issues...

Electrical fires are no fun...
Click to expand...

Fans use no more than about 1/4 amp, and only the worst splice will
drop excess voltage. But unless the splice is merely twisted together
and covered with electrical tape, that's not likely.
 
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