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View Full Version : Accidentally undervolted fan to 5V –- Can it be damaged ??

craige
11-09-08, 02:35 PM
Fan: 230x230x20mm and 800RPM. Power Requirement: DC 12V at 0.38AMP

Okay I got this huge intake side-fan in my case Thermaltake Armor+ MX. The side fan is having a white two pin connector with Red & Black wires to it. As I cannot power the fan with provided 2pin, I had made an adapter from 2pin to molex….

Now, I was using the fan using the same adapter for the past 15days but I knew something was fishy, as the Blue LED light on fan was dim, was running backwards and I was not been able to feel the air frm the fan pushing in….

Today, I researched and came to know that Red wire frm fan should go with Yellow wire on molex frm PSU, previously I was Plugging Red wire frm fan to red wire on molex.

So please, inform if I understood right:
Previously I was unintentionally running my fan on 5V and now I am running it on it’s rated speed.

PLEASE REVIEW MY WIRING AND CONFIRM IF I AM RUNNING THE FAN AT ITS RATED SPEED NOW:
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/595/28969381vd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The new problem is -- I don’t knw why, but I find the fan moving properly but it’s wobbly! When I see the center of the fan, I find its wobbling and running, also I can notice the wobble in the blue light that is emitting, Can it just be my illusion OR its normal as it is a huge fan?

Back to 1st question, Can I have damaged my fan OR reduced its life by running it at 5V, anyways to know about it?

If I have damaged it, I can get it replaced for free for the next 10days…
JamesXP
11-09-08, 02:38 PM
Many people run fans at 5/7V to reduce fan speed, its unlikely that the fan is damaged.
RollingThunder
11-09-08, 03:48 PM
Craig,

James is correct. Sometimes you have to "kick start" an undervolted fan but it won't hurt anything.
craige
11-10-08, 08:31 AM
Okay... but certain things are still remained unanswered-

1] Looking at the snap, please can anybody confirm if i am now having the right wiring and am indeed running the fan at its full speed ?

2] Wobbly fan problem

I request you to re-read my original question for detailed description.
RollingThunder
11-10-08, 09:05 AM
Okay... but certain things are still remained unanswered-

1] Looking at the snap, please can anybody confirm if i am now having the right wiring and am indeed running the fan at its full speed ?

2] Wobbly fan problem

I request you to re-read my original question for detailed description.

Craig,

Yellow wire is 12v, red wire is 5v, black is ground. You'll know right away if your fan is up to speed, it will be either fast or slow. "Wobbly" is unknown, no photo of it. It needs to be well supported on whatever it rests on.
noxqzs
11-11-08, 11:08 AM
As already pointed out, yellow is +12, red is +5 and blacks are ground.

With regards to the wobble, hold the fan in your hand when it is on. If you feel excessive vibration, then the fan might be out of balance or its bearings are shot. Balance is usually a cause of missing or cracked blades. If the bearings are at fault, or the fan is misaligned on its shaft, then that is a much bigger problem. If there is a sticker on the spinning part of the fan, try removing it, as that may also be on offcenter, and creating mild oscillation.

I personally keep all my fans at 5v, and have my current system running like that for over a year.
craige
11-12-08, 02:13 PM
WOBBLING -- The led light that the fan has......when i see the fan the light wobbles ! The best way to describe would be rippling effect....
So can it be normal for this fan as it is huge?

I have several other led fans "average sizes" thats at the end of the case......, But those are not showing any rippling..... the lights points sharp and straight with fan running at around 1300RPM with no rippling effect......

The fan in question - is not making any noises nor vibrating...... and yes there is a sticker at the centre of the fan...
nvidiaOCmaster
11-12-08, 02:23 PM
No need to worry about the wobble, its probably because its a big fan