Need a new quieter fan to HD IO..

[Skwaidu]

Fixed my HD IO with the silenx fan http://www.silenx.com/quiet.fans.asp?sku=efx-08-15

Most time went into replacing the connector but it was doable, I ordered some spare 4-pin extension cables so I have the original fan intact if I need to reinstall it.

The end result is stunning. Nearly dead silent from somewhat annoyingly loud, my quite quit AC now overpowers the tiny fan noise left. Shame on Avid for leaving such a design flaw into their premium product.

[ArKay99]

Originally Posted by Skwaidu

Fixed my HD IO with the silenx fan http://www.silenx.com/quiet.fans.asp?sku=efx-08-15

Most time went into replacing the connector but it was doable, I ordered some spare 4-pin extension cables so I have the original fan intact if I need to reinstall it.

The end result is stunning. Nearly dead silent from somewhat annoyingly loud, my quite quit AC now overpowers the tiny fan noise left. Shame on Avid for leaving such a design flaw into their premium product.

If using the Silenex fan, no need to cut and solder. Just use an X Acto blade or equivalent and push the tabs holding the pins in down and the wire comes right out. Do it on both connectors, then just make sure the tabs are bent up slightly so they grab when reinserted, and reinsert. As per Meads.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by ArKay99

If using the Silenex fan, no need to cut and solder. Just use an X Acto blade or equivalent and push the tabs holding the pins in down and the wire comes right out. Do it on both connectors, then just make sure the tabs are bent up slightly so they grab when reinserted, and reinsert. As per Meads.

Be careful when bending these tabs as they are very fragile; I've broken a few in other instances and when that happens the pins don't stay in the connector housing and have no support. It doesn't mean you can't use it; you just have to push the pin onto the connection on the board and it should stay there. All the plastic housing does is provide support for the connections.

[treason]

I also recently completed this on 3 HD IOs. Amazing the difference , as already noted!

Couple things which I would emphasize after having completed this:

1. Note that the fan must push air OUT of the HD IO.
2. a 9V battery can be used on the Silenx fan to determine polarity of the pins (hint - middle lead is +ve)
3. The delicate nature of the pins as outlined above by musicman691 is critical. These determine the connector's ability to maintain contact. Without enough tension, the connector will fall off, and the fan stop working. Be cautious.

It's a very worthwhile upgrade!

[Fidelis]

Did two HD IOs here and the results are incredible. Don't here then anymore.

[cananball]

Am I the only one that isnt concerned about the fan? Latest firmware, super quiet. My Mac Pro is louder than my Omni by a lot

[ArKay99]

Originally Posted by cananball

Am I the only one that isnt concerned about the fan? Latest firmware, super quiet. My Mac Pro is louder than my Omni by a lot

Pretty sure this is aimed at HD owner's, although a few posts up front were regarding Omni's. Omni is different in that it uses a 40mm fan IIRC and the HD's use an 80mm.

Also, IIRC the Omni has firmware control of the fan whereas the HD doesn't.

BTW, since I did the change on my HD it's also quieter than my cheese grater, which is pretty quiet, until the angry bee in the HDX card gets hot and starts fanning it's wings...

[Meads]

Originally Posted by cananball

Am I the only one that isnt concerned about the fan? Latest firmware, super quiet. My Mac Pro is louder than my Omni by a lot

Avid seem to have changed the fans of the Omni in the newer revisions. I had one from 2010 which had a horribly loud fan. Had the unit replaced recently due to a hardware fault, and got a new model. The fan in that one is WAY more quiet. So very quiet, that I didn't neet to bother giving it a fan-replacement.

[JFreak]

Do the two boxes have the same firmware or just different fans?

I myself still think that less noise is less noise and the experience I had by swapping an old 192 fan to a silent one is just astonishing. I might just do the same hack for all interfaces when I have some time for it. Just to be sure.

[Meads]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Do the two boxes have the same firmware or just different fans?

I myself still think that less noise is less noise and the experience I had by swapping an old 192 fan to a silent one is just astonishing. I might just do the same hack for all interfaces when I have some time for it. Just to be sure.

They are running the same firmware, and I didn't open up the new unit to check on the fan. But it has to be a different one.