power supply fan problem

[FrayDenZ]

Hi - the fan in my power supply seem to be out of wack. It makes a real loud buzzing sound all the time, like its rubbing on something maybe. Really quite annoying, but I've never done anything with the power suppy before. Can I get into it to fix it? Or maybe I just need a power supply, huh...

[richamies]

You can crack it open and have a look at the amount of cack that is stuck around the fan. You won't believe how much dust can settle in the bearings over a year http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif. But be careful and don't touch any electrical components - they can hold their charge for a long time and will give you a healthy punch.

It might be easier to just replace the PSU. I don't advise on using the system with the fan not working - the PSU can and normally will overheat and can blow, I have seen this happen and take down the motherboard as well. It's a lot cheaper and safer to replace the whole unit, in my opinion.

[Susan]

A great way to clean a fan is with a toothbrush.

[Wiz]

watch the capasitors. those are the things with the warning labels on 'em. as rich said, they'll give ya quite a punch. a friend of mine made a very powerful taser with one... easily amused...

[Butchk]

If you feal the need for adventure you can replace the fan. Radio Shack has them for about $12.00. Most fans just plug into the power supply. Be carfull as richamies said they have enough juice stored up to make you change you mind. If your not sure about what you doing just replace the power supply in thelong run it might be easier. Good luck on which ever way you go. Butchk

[ram]

Whatever you do dont run your PC with the fan like this,it can and will burn the power supply up and possibly the MB.You can get a new power supply for around $35 it would be worth it,trust me i burned one up 3 months ago and i now have a new mother board and case/with power supply.

[DaveLewis]

Most of the cheap power supply fans use a sleeve bearing design. Unplug your machine and pull the power supply out of the case. Open it up and remove the fan. I'll second the statements that have been made here about the caps in the power supply although I'll say that I've opened up a bunch of these units and have NEVER been bit.

Anyway you'll usually find a paper label over one side of the fan hub. Remove the label and you'll see some type of a clip holding fan in the frame. Remove the clip very carefully and pull the fan out of the frame. Clean the fan and bearings with electrical cleaner or WD-40. Lube the fan shaft with a good light grease - I've had pretty good luck with a small amount of Lubriplate. Button everything up and you'll probably be back in business.

Some time back I obtained a couple of high velocity ball bearing 110 volt fans from some old CPM machines. I installed one of those in the power supply of my homebuilt AMD 350 box and I've never had any heat problems with that machine. If you can find an old industrial type 110 volt ball bearing fan you'll be in good shape - just remember to rewire the fan to run off the main power switch and install the fan so that the air flow is correct!

Good luck