Is there a way to make a fan run at less than 5v?

expxe · Post by **expxe** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:41 pm

I ran an alternate power cable to my power supply fan. I connected the other end to a molex plug with the plugs reversed so the fan would be fed 5v. Turns out that did not make the fan any quieter but louder. The fan was temperature controlled and was already running at an even lower voltage, now I feel silly, all that work opening up the PS and now there is more noise.

Is there a simple way to make a fan run at less than 5v?

expxe · Post by **expxe** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:45 pm

Is running a power supply without a fan a bad thing? yes?

psiu · Post by **psiu** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:25 pm

Yes they generally need air flow--things get very hot in there.

Can you just undo the modification you made feeding it power so it goes back to default?
You could get it quieter putting in a slower-rated fan. The only trouble you may encounter then is if it starts reliably at lower voltages.

expxe · Post by **expxe** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:38 am

I could undo the mod but the original fan was too loud for my liking. I could swap a new fan but i am waiting for an answer, i hope something else can be done. is there anyway to tap off the 3.3v power supply line?

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:06 am

Problem is if you run a fan too low, as it ages and picks up dirt it might stop spinning or not start properly on boot and fry your PSU.

expxe · Post by **expxe** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 3:39 pm

i swapped the fan for another. currently running it at 5v, works fine