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Fan replacement for a Mac SE/30

just.in.time

Well-known member
@superjer2000 You're welcome.  I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that has had issues with Noctua.  Can you share the link you used to order the Delta fan? Also, what is the low noise adapter?

 

superjer2000

Well-known member
@just.in.time  This is the Delta fan I bought from Newegg (https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAHF7545023

In the box with the Noctua fan, there were a couple of cables: One to connect the fan to the hard disk molex power connector and another with a male and female connector with a "low noise adapter" tag.  That low noise adapter drops the fan speed by enough on the Delta to make it more than comfortable while still providing good airflow.  Interestingly enough, when I recapped my other SE/30 I noted it had a Sanyo fan which I just kept and added a drop of oil to rather than messing with my second Noctua.

 

just.in.time

Well-known member
I might have to put in an order for that... $20 isn't too horrible.  I will have to look around to see if I kept the box from the Noctua and if I still have that low noise adapter.  Thanks for the link @superjer2000!

 

superjer2000

Well-known member
I might have to put in an order for that... $20 isn't too horrible.  I will have to look around to see if I kept the box from the Noctua and if I still have that low noise adapter.  Thanks for the link @superjer2000!
I'm not sure I'd order the Delta fan to use the Low Noise Adapter as that fan is probably overkill just to use it at less than full capacity.  I bought as I read about it in this thread and thought I'd rather live with a lot of noise and have my analog board last forever.  Once I installed it though, it was clearly something that I couldn't live with even though I prioritize component life over noise.  That being said, the Delta might have ended up sucking the components right off the analog board. 

I would take a look at Mouser or Digikey - Mouser had a whole bunch of 60mmx60mmx25mm fans that you can sort by CFM, noise, RPM etc.  I would probably shoot for a fan putting out 30 cfm at around 4,500 RPM (Split the RPM difference between the Delta and Noctua), assuming the noise level is OK.

 
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superjer2000

Well-known member
Thinking more about it and a comment earlier in this thread, I'm going to build one of these for the Delta.  

http://www.heatsink-guide.com/control.shtml

(If this link doesn't work, go to www.heatsink-guide.com and click on Temperature Control.)

I think this should allow the Mac to run as quiet as possible but allow the fan to kick up to full-bore if need be.

 
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Bunbury

Active member
Hi

The issue with the Noctua could be the voltage.

Trying to sum up the options one has to change the SE/30 fan.

The standard ones (Elina/Sanyo, 12 CFM) are loud and apparently not efficient enough (the flyback still fails)

According to the manufacturers themselves, here are the options for 60x60x25 fans:

Noctua NF-A6x25 : 3000 rpm - 19.3 dB/A - 17 CFM

SilenX IXP-34-16 : 2000 rpm - 16 dB/A - 18 CFM

Delta AFB0612EH-ABF00 : 6800 rpm - 46 dB/A - 38 CFM

AcoustiFan AFDP-6025B : 2700 rpm - 17 dB/A - 13.7 CFM

But some people seem to find the Noctua is not powerful enough.

Could it be the voltage ?

This Noctua has 3 modes : 

3000 RPM - 17 CFM - 19 dB/A

2400 RPM - 13 CFM - 14 dB/A

1600 RPM -  10 CFM - 8 dB/A

Applying the voltage that selects the 10 CFM mode would result in a silent but 20% less efficient cooling.

Anyway the SilenX seems to be better in all aspects.

Anyone has tried it yet ?

PS : when you feel air coming out of the computer, if the air is cold it can mean it is not working because the fan should blow out the hot air. So check also the flyback temperature.

 
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Crutch

Well-known member
I am always surprised more people don’t mention these Nanoxia fans:  http://nanoxia-world.com/en/products/fans/deep-silence/240/deep-silence-60-mm-2000-u/min?c=50

2000 RPM, 15.8 CFM, 12.1 dBA

So, more airflow and less noise than the Noctua at the 2400 RPM setting (allegedly).  I’ve been running one in my maxed-out SE/30 for about 18 months now and it seems to keep things nice and cool.  Though I always wonder if it’s really doing the job ...

@superjer2000 did you ever build that temperature controller?

 
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jessenator

Well-known member
I wish that be quiet! made a 60mm fan, because I do like them functionally and aesthetically more than beige-fest Noctua (yes, I know they have gray now…but it's not black, which for most modern PC builds is what I want—I don't want to see a prosthetic limb color when I happen to gaze down or across/through my (mostly)-all-black PC build </rant> ).

However, in the SE/30 application, I don't mind the blend-into-my-yellowed-case beige, and I'm surprised at the reports of it not moving air adequately inside them. Not saying they're wrong, just surprised is all. My experience with them generally, and in my own SE/30 has been quite good, save the plastic color issue above. I tried using the molex adapter and it only had 2 through pins, so I ended up soldering one of the many provided adapters to the AB leads. Even at full tilt I don't mind the noise it makes. That's one of the reasons I ditched all my stock PC case fans for some be quiet! silent wings fans. Loudest thing in the PC is the GPU, which I may swap fans on at some point if I'm feeling industrious.

(edit: I'm a real boy! (68000))

 
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Renegade

Well-known member
I am always surprised more people don’t mention these Nanoxia fans:  http://nanoxia-world.com/en/products/fans/deep-silence/240/deep-silence-60-mm-2000-u/min?c=50

2000 RPM, 15.8 CFM, 12.1 dBA

So, more airflow and less noise than the Noctua at the 2400 RPM setting (allegedly).  I’ve been running one in my maxed-out SE/30 for about 18 months now and it seems to keep things nice and cool.  Though I always wonder if it’s really doing the job ...
Nice fan indeed, but the problem with those translucent fan blades is that they usually don't last long.

It reminds me about the Noiseblocker S4 fans that were very popular 15 years ago but broke like glass after a couple of years.

 

Crutch

Well-known member
I have used those Silenx fans before too (IXP-34-16).  It also seems to be terrific.  Definitely a tiny bit louder than the Nanoxia but moves more air per spec.  I haven’t used that one as much though (it lives in an accelerated Plus I don’t use that much) so can’t personally testify to its longevity.

 

maceffects

Well-known member
For those interested I do have a custom made 24 CFM fan (transparent) with LEDs. It’s definitely not “quiet” but much better for the old flybacks.  I always see people getting low CFM fans because they are quiet but it’s not that great for the flybacks. 

 

jessenator

Well-known member
Sorry if this has been discussed.

Would an improved shielding solution help improve airflow around the flyback? If that's the main bone of contention in the fan discussion. I mean, th shielding isn't "bad," but is there a solution to make the flow "better?"

Or perhaps some cowling modification to better direct the airflow? I guess not, as it's a puller, exhaust fan and not a blower. Never mind.

 

maceffects

Well-known member
@Bunbury I think a cheaper solution than my custom fans would be something like this: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/AFB0612EH-ABF00/603-1035-ND/1014366 I’m not sure if it’s been discussed or not. The CFM on this was is crazy high. Mine is 24 CFM (about double the original) but because I bought the expensive molds each fan from me is about $39. 

@jessenator I don’t really know enough about thermodynamics to say for sure, but what I will say is that it seems like it’s just lack of air flow inherent to the design. This is not a new problem for Apple.  Even the first Apple II machines needed modifications because they didn’t have vents to allow for air flow.  I actually like the shield around the flyback as it’s super shiny and looks good in the clear case  :)

 
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jessenator

Well-known member
I think I just realized I'm just a dumb@$$ and didn't convert m^3/s to CFM... Because I genuinely thought the noctua fans were above 20cfm... They're ~29 m^3/s or 17 CFM. Otherwise I would have bought a SilenX or that other brand jdw recommended in his AB recap video. Well maybe if I ever get my Starmax board to work again I'll just use the noctua on the CPU heatsink (I actually am using the SE/30's old fan on it correctly, funnily enough)

I'll look into the SilenX fan

 
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