One word of caution that might apply to some: if you feel uncomfortable working
inside your computer, or its power supply then you should seek help with some
or all of this project. But it's very duable without a lot of time, money or
experience. Just be smart and don't work inside the power supply with it
plugged in.
The case and CPU fans can be replaced by anyone that feels confortable opening
up the case. A screwdriver is all that is needed for a PTP.
> on 10/27/02 6:26 PM, Jack Russell at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>> I heard from one fellow who said he found the replacement fans with the
>> correct connectors, so they may be available?
I'm probably the "one fellow" Jack was referring to. ;-)
After his original posting, Jack and I carried on some off-list conversations
about this and with his encouragement I went thru upgrading all the fans in two
different PTP systems and it made a huge improvement. I had to upgrade from the
original SCSI drives to new IDE ones because after the fans were quieter, the
drives were then the loudest thing in the box. Now it's quiet enough that I
could sleep in the same room with both computers running.
I was able to find the fans at the pcpowerandcooling site that was listed, and
on that website I was given the choice to buy the 3-pin connectors -- go that
route and you don't have to cut a single wire! The 4-pin connectors would be
great for an additional fan that you might someday mount -- it mates with one
of your drive power connectors (4 pins) coming from the power supply.
As I said in that archived message to the list, even the power supply fan can
use a 3-pin connector, and its lead doesn't need to be shortened. I just
rotated the extra lead length around the fan housing itself to keep it neatly
away from the power supply components and I routed it "the long way around"
(you'll see what I mean when you open the power supply) to keep the lead away
from the heatsink (the original lead traveled right beside it but had a clear
tubing around it). I even show how to mate the 3-pin connector to the 2-pin
connection point inside the power supply.
Getting the original fan's connector off the power supply board was a case of
patience and some careful work to get the thing un-mated. I didn't have forceps
like Jack but a long, thin screwdriver allowed me to break away the original
"gunk" keeping the connection together. The screwdriver was very helpful for
directing the new lead onto the pins too since you can't reach the pins with
your fingers. Something I may not have mentioned before: I gently moved the
wires running off the power supply board to one side or the other to clear a
path to that connector. That helped, and prevented me from scraping any
insulation off them if the screwdriver slipped.
> 1. Indeed quieter.
Absolutely. Same physical size fans but thru a combination of "newness" and
perhaps a little less airflow. The fans I used really make it worth *my* time
and money.
> 2. Whether the connectors for a PowerTowerPro are the same for a PowerTower
> 180e (non-Pro).
I have no idea. Fan lead lengths might be an issue too but the replacement fans
in the PTP were just fine.
> 3. Which choice of connectors (described by vendor as "4-pin drive or 3-pin
> M/B") is appropriate.
3-pin. See above for why.
Still on the fence about replacing the original PTP fans? Just do it. You'll be
glad you did.
Marty
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