Want to quiet down your (China) LED Fixture? I'll show you how easy it is.

[JohnnyAirtime]

:coffee: (grab a cup, and begin the read)

I know many of you think the China branded LEDs are "all the same", when truly they are not. The outsides, look the same... and they seem to function alike. But in reality, they are not. The internals are all different from manufacturer to manufacturer. From the LED Chips they use, the LED drivers, the fans, the heat sinks...etc.etc. Also from the specifications used when building them.

Here's an overall shot of the internal fans;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/105a5029.jpg

None-the-less, most of them come with loud fans. Some fans are louder than others (as a fellow reefer told me, my supplied fans were quieter than his originals. As he got his LED fixtures from another reseller). But most fans on these fixtures can be heard, and to some it's annoying. Also, not all fixture's fans are turned on via a thermostat. Some come on the minute an LED circuit is energized.

I decided to try something new. Most resellers I see are recommending a SilenX fan. In fact, it's the talk on most reef forums. The fan needed, is an 80mm fan powered by 12V. I began extensive research into fan CFM, how quiet they are (in Db), and pricing. Price was a big deal for me, as I had 12 of these to replace (in 4 fixtures or panels).

I found the GeLID fans to be spec'd out and meeting my needs. I referred to them in this post (http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=652437&postcount=7). They are the following, brand; GeLID Silent8 and part#; FN-SX08-16. Found here; http://www.outletpc.com/c2195.html#axzz1Tnhdsc7n for $3.98 each

I cracked open the shell, via the 8 phillips headed screws. The screws are a 10-32 thread, and SUPER short. I ended up replacing mine with a tad longer (for specific mounting) 10-32 x 1/2" and 3/4" Stainless Socket Cap head screw or what we all know as an allen head. I had to use two different lengths due to the internal components blocking too long of a screw.

Once cracked open, I noticed the million little screws/nuts I had to remove to get most of the items off the fans, to simply remove the original fans themselves. The nice thing was, the 3 fans were all soldered to one quick release connector. Making it easy to solder in a new trio of fans.

Here, I'm removing the items before I can remove the fans;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/1031f69f.jpg

Oh boy... ONE fan removed!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/d67d1702.jpg

Here are all the fans removed, and the fixture ready for new fans;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/acd1f62d.jpg

Once all fans were removed, I made sure to orientate the new fans so they blew the same direction and had the wiring exiting where I'd like it to be. Making it easier to solder them, and route the wiring withing the shell.

Here's one NEW fan installed, but not soldered yet;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/917db59f.jpg

And... of course... all fans installed, soldered, and working GREAT!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/johnnyairtime/Fish-Tank/LEDs/fan%20replace/02c6f723.jpg

... The fans are SO QUIET, you can't hear them run. I even have 12 of them running all at once, and with my canopy wide open... they are completely silent!! Amazing. For the price, and the effort... I now have silent fans for a reasonable cost. I highly recommend them!!

:bounce:

[sdsocal]

Johnny,

Great write up. But you have way to much time on your hands and a good thing you never let them be idle. Always love to see your work.

[JohnnyAirtime]

Johnny,

Great write up. But you have way to much time on your hands and a good thing you never let them be idle. Always love to see your work.

"too much time on my hands" Chris? LOL... really, I just sleep 4hrs a night and spread myself too thin. If I don't have a project going, I get bored. ;) You and the wifee ready to go all LED in that house yet? It sure saves!:)

... and thanks, I love to share my experiences in hopes it saves someone else the research and pain in discovery.

[KDHL]

Great write up Johnny!

[Mario]

whats the difference in the fan unit itself? I see the same number of blades, is it a different pitch to them?

[JohnnyAirtime]

whats the difference in the fan unit itself? I see the same number of blades, is it a different pitch to them?

You mean, how do they get it quieter? I don't know, I didn't look into that or the fan differences themselves. Just the overall silent outcome was needed with similar CFM.

[Mario]

now that you have opened the unit and changed the fans will that void the warranty?

[JohnnyAirtime]

now that you have opened the unit and changed the fans will that void the warranty?

Not with from who I buy them from, as I've been "okayed" to do minor repairs before sending them back for major warranty work.

To solve all of this, I'm asking the manufacturer to supply the fans already installed with the units when I order them. I'll know more tonight.

[jesus]

Can u pm me with the price? thanks

[ricenoodle]

clear your inbox please

[JohnnyAirtime]

clear your inbox please

Cleared

[JohnnyAirtime]

Not with from who I buy them from, as I've been "okayed" to do minor repairs before sending them back for major warranty work.

To solve all of this, I'm asking the manufacturer to supply the fans already installed with the units when I order them. I'll know more tonight.

I've aquired 8 more units... and all have been sold, but they came with QUIETER fans. Not the fans I spec'd, otherwise it's $7 more per unit. But a fan they deemed quieter... and surely enough, they are quiet but not silent. Still an improvement over the past fans my initial 4 fixtures came with.

;)