Detaching the fan on head. Safe?

grobe · #1 05-22-2011, 12:06 PM

I got a noisy as hell fan on my Ampeg B2-RE. Is it ok to dis-attach the fan for low volume situations? Can the amp still overheat?

MuzikMan · #2 05-22-2011, 12:19 PM

That would be risky at best, probably foolish. A possible safe alternative might be to run a larger, quiet fan into the amp. That might slow down the speed of the internal fan, making it quieter.

billfitzmaurice · #3 05-22-2011, 12:23 PM

The solution is to replace a noisy fan with a quiet fan. Not all fans are created equal, some have much lower dB ratings than others. Find out what CFM, frame size and voltage you need, google up a source for a quiet one.

Low Commotion · #4 05-22-2011, 12:34 PM

Even if it was safe at low volumes, at what threshold is it unsafe? If the fan is that noisey, it should be replaced. There probably is something wrong - perhaps worn bearings.

I replaced the fan in my SVT-3. I think I ordered it from Digitech. The replacement info (model, current draw, etc) should be on the existing fan. For me it was four screws and the fan plugged into the circuit board. If you're not comfortable with this, take it into a qualified tech - it shouldn't cost that much.

ButtUglyJeff · #5 05-22-2011, 12:39 PM

There's a good chance that fan is in the early stages of failing, and need to be replaces. I'd open her up and blow her out with some compressed air. If dust build up was causing an imbalance, a good cleaning might be a fix...

grobe · #6 05-22-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Commotion

Even if it was safe at low volumes, at what threshold is it unsafe? If the fan is that noisey, it should be replaced. There probably is something wrong - perhaps worn bearings.

I replaced the fan in my SVT-3. I think I ordered it from Digitech. The replacement info (model, current draw, etc) should be on the existing fan. For me it was four screws and the fan plugged into the circuit board. If you're not comfortable with this, take it into a qualified tech - it shouldn't cost that much.

Hmmm.... can you point me in the right direction? I'm guessing it is the same fan for the SVT3. What did it run ya?

grobe · #7 05-22-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The solution is to replace a noisy fan with a quiet fan. Not all fans are created equal, some have much lower dB ratings than others. Find out what CFM, frame size and voltage you need, google up a source for a quiet one.

So just an ordinary computer type fan would work?

billfitzmaurice · #8 05-22-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grobe

So just an ordinary computer type fan would work?

The fan doesn't know what it's being mounted in. CFM, physical size and supply voltage is all that matters.

grobe · #9 05-22-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The fan doesn't know what it's being mounted in. CFM, physical size and supply voltage is all that matters.

And connector. Will take a peak inside to see.

Electricblue · #10 05-22-2011, 02:57 PM

Don't remove the fan. That's just foolish.

It will most likely be a computer fan (or equivilent of)

My head has a 80mm pc-style fan in it. I'm guessing its 12v

The good thing about using a pc fan is that you can choose between quiet, good airflow, high speed etc.

You can even get one with the blue leds in it

Low Commotion · #11 05-22-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grobe

Hmmm.... can you point me in the right direction? I'm guessing it is the same fan for the SVT3. What did it run ya?

I actually ordered it from Digi Key about a year ago. I can't recall the cost, but somewhere in the neighborhood of $25. (Electronic Components Distributor | DigiKey Corp. | US Home Page). They are located in Thief River Falls, MN and ship all across North America (I live in Canada and get stuff from them all the time).

I called Digi Key and gave them the info from the existing fan and they sent me a brand new one of the same kind. Ampeg don't make fans. If you call Digi Key, the sales folks can help you out - they are very knowledgeable.

I'm not sure if the fan in my SVT is the same as yours (my guess is that it is), but pull the top off your amp, get the info off the fan, and give Digi Key a call.

T-Bird · #12 05-22-2011, 10:46 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The solution is to replace a noisy fan with a quiet fan. Not all fans are created equal, some have much lower dB ratings than others. Find out what CFM, frame size and voltage you need, google up a source for a quiet one.

^This. +1000

The OEM MI fans do not need to be quiet, since the usual scenario is that the noise of the fan is buried under the nois.., um eh, music

.
The price of a fan is often directly proportinal to the dB rating, so the manufacturer will chooose the most economical solution. Obviously.

If the fan noise bothers You now, and the fan is in a relatively good condition, I'd bet that replacing it with the same exact kind will bother you as well.

Just look up the specs as suggested and hunt for a quieter (for a PC most likely) one.

Regards
Sam

Bob Lee (QSC) · #13 05-23-2011, 10:41 AM

First, please note that a fan is not a superfluous component in an amp. If the manufacturer put one in the design, then it belongs there.

Dust buildup on the vanes can cause excessive noise. Clean it off and see if that's satisfactory. Compressed air works well, but don't spin the fan with it.

If you choose to replace the fan, make sure of the size, flow, and supply voltage, as Bill said. Don't assume or guess at anything, especially the voltage.