T4 HDD Replacement

[Trial_Master]

Hello

My T4 is starting to get noisy, I’m assuming it’s the HDD. Is there a recommended drive? Mine currently is 2TB.

Thank you.

[MrQuade]

Are you sure it is the HDD? When a HDD starts getting noisy, it tends to start making fairly distinctive noises and is a sign of imminent failure.

I have noticed that my T4 fan has been getting quite loud lately, and I was planning on pulling out it to get a part number and find a replacement part.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

...I have noticed that my T4 fan has been getting quite loud lately, and I was planning on pulling out it to get a part number and find a replacement part.

The fan was my thought too.

I can help you with that, as to replace my fan Beyonwiz sent me a Protechnic MAGIC MGA5012LR-O10 12V 0.08A 2Wire unit.
It's a 50x50x10mm unit.

[MrQuade]

I can help you with that, as to replace my fan Beyonwiz sent me a Protechnic MAGIC MGA5012LR-O10 12V 0.08A 2Wire unit.
It's a 50x50x10mm unit.

Much obliged

[Trial_Master]

Thanks MrQuade & Grumpy_Geoff

Do I source this from Beyonwiz or could I pick up from Jaycar etc?

[MrQuade]

Do I source this from Beyonwiz or could I pick up from Jaycar etc?

Searching for that part number actually seems to come up with a lot of variable results. It seems to mostly bring up results for graphics card fans that lack a shroud. Maybe this part number is for a generic OEM fan hub, and not the actual whole fan assembly?

Looking for generic 12V 50x50x10 fans with "silent" in the description brought up this one that looked interesting:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Noiseblocker-B ... B00839XK5W

The reviews didn't look great though. It might have a cheap and nasty bearing assembly.

Also a handful of others from Aliexpress/Alibaba which I am a little hesitant about.

Finding a good replacement might be tricky.

[prl]

I did a google search for "Protechnic MAGIC MGA5012LR-O10" (without the quotes), and the first two hits look fine to me. Certainly both showed a shrouded fan.

Oddly, though, page for the one on PCHub said 0.3A, not 0.08A, though the label on the image on the page said 0.08A. The one on eBay said 0.07A.

http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/676-863 ... d-Fan.html
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Protechnic- ... 1151388856

The free shipping on the PCHub vs ~AUD25 on eBay makes the PCHub one look attractive, despite the current rating oddity.

[MrQuade]

I did a google search for "Protechnic MAGIC MGA5012LR-O10" (without the quotes), and the first two hits look fine to me. Certainly both showed a shrouded fan.

The second link looks the part, and I did see that in the list, but it was one type in amongst dozens. You're probably right in that this is the one that Grumpy_Geoff has though.

But if you look closely at the first one, it is not a complete shroud, it just has a front panel that then clicks into some other case assembly. I think this looks like the same item from a different angle. This appears to be one of the other types that has a specific function and what lead me to conclude that the quoted part number is only referring to the central fan part.

[prl]

Yep, you're right about the PCHub unit I didn't look at the oblique shot properly.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Yes, very much like the eBay listing, except -
mine is date stamped 2014-4-15
0.08A
ZP series A
suffixed O10
10mm thickness

There are quite a few "no names" on eBay that match closely, same size, 2-pin, but are 0.10A (I'm not smart enough to know if that current(?) draw makes a difference).

The PCHub listing has rectangular mount points c.f. the round ones I have.

I can probably supply a photo or two later if needed.

[Trial_Master]

The eBay is 15mm deep, would this be an issue Geoff?

[Trial_Master]

I am not having any success finding the exact fan mentioned. I emailed Beyonwiz yesterday to see if they sell replacements but have not received a reply yet.

[Trial_Master]

Has anybody found a replacement fan? Mine is getting worse, might have to turn it off if it gets any louder.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Has anybody found a replacement fan? Mine is getting worse, might have to turn it off if it gets any louder.

Is it definitely the case fan making the noise? You've checked by turning off the fan and the noise stops?

I just swapped fans. The case fan screws are 10mm length, and have a good purchase right from the start when screwed in, so I'm guessing a 15mm deep fan would be okay (there's nothing getting in the way of fitting a 15mm fan).

This fan from eBay looks like a close match, only difference I can see is it's 0.1A compared to the original 0.08A.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/123102917204
An electronics guru will need to tell us if that matters.

This one is 0.08A - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/312248240755

You'd need to await Chinese postage though....

[MrQuade]

They're also 10,000 RPM models.

I know the speeds are adjustable, but they could still sound like jet engines, its really hard to know without trying some out.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

They're also 10,000 RPM models.

Well spotted!

What about this 6,000 RPM jobbie - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/283031047941
Noise : 33db
Current : 0.15A

Is the current draw going to make a difference?

[MrQuade]

Yea, that one looks better I reckon.

I don't think the extra current would be a problem, but that is just my uninformed opinion. It is still under 1.5W which seems reasonable.

I also saw this one which is a little quieter:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50x50x10mm- ... :rk:2:pf:0

And there is the one I linked earlier which may or may not be any good. quieter still, but reviews were mixed:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Noiseblocke ... :rk:5:pf:0

They're cheap enough to take a chance on I guess.

[prl]

Is the current draw going to make a difference?

I guess it depends on how beefy the drivers are for the fan PWM. Peteru or Warkus might have an idea. 0.15A is nearly double the current needed by the original fan, but it's still not huge.

[sub3R]

I don’t own a T4, but why not re-oil the bearings? When I get a noisy computer fan I can quickly quieten it down for a while by spraying a small amount of Teflon spray (Tri-flow Teflon Spray) into the bushes.

A long term fix is to use a small amount of good quality thin oil used for servicing the ball races &/or bushes in baitcaster fishing reels. These are available from any good fishing tackle store that sells the better quality products. Buy oil suitable for baitcasters & not for the heavier lever drag game reels.

I have a few different brands & types of oil for my reels but I think ‘Quantum Hot Sauce’ is one of the better ones, but it is a bit pricey. No doubt the cheaper oils will also work, but how well I don’t know.

This article shows how to oil fan bearings or bushes.

[prl]

It is still under 1.5W which seems reasonable.

Not in the mathematics that operates in my corner of the universe I make it 12V x 0.15A = 1.8W (or at least 1.8VA).

Anyway, as for whether the drivers can handle it, it's the current that matters, not the power dissipated in the fan (or whatever stands in for its power factor in these circumstances).

[Grumpy_Geoff]

And there is the one I linked earlier which may or may not be any good. quieter still, but reviews were mixed:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Noiseblocke ... :rk:5:pf:0

Similar to this one, maybe? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132561263984
Noise Level 26.09 dBA
Fan Speed 4,500 rpm
Current 0.06A
(same one on Amazon is $35!)

[MrQuade]

Not in the mathematics that operates in my corner of the universe I make it 12V x 0.15A = 1.8W (or at least 1.8VA).

sorry, I did the calcs on the fan that I linked to which was 0.12A

[Grumpy_Geoff]

$10 - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/172248623876
Rated current: 0.1(+-)10% Amp
Noise:25(+-)10%dBA
Fan speed: 4700(+-)10% rpm
Item location: Melbourne

[MrQuade]

Similar to this one, maybe? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132561263984
Noise Level 26.09 dBA
Fan Speed 4,500 rpm
Current 0.06A
(same one on Amazon is $35!)

Now that one really looks like the ticket!
Low noise, low current, decent air movement and CHEAP.

[Trial_Master]

Has anybody found a replacement fan? Mine is getting worse, might have to turn it off if it gets any louder.

Is it definitely the case fan making the noise? You've checked by turning off the fan and the noise stops?

Yes I stopped it briefly and it's definitely the culprit.

[Trial_Master]

Similar to this one, maybe? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132561263984
Noise Level 26.09 dBA
Fan Speed 4,500 rpm
Current 0.06A
(same one on Amazon is $35!)

Now that one really looks like the ticket!
Low noise, low current, decent air movement and CHEAP.

I'm not electronics expert, so if you reckon this is the one. Who would of thought sourcing a fan would require so much research?

I take it Beyonwiz Australia don't sell replacements, I emailed them a couple of days ago and have not received a response.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

I'm not electronics expert, so if you reckon this is the one.

I'm no expert also.
I reckon the $8.90 fan from Melbourne is worth a go, as you'll likely get it in a few days.

[Trial_Master]

Thanks Geoff

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Thanks Geoff

Which fan did you end up getting, and how is it performing?

[Trial_Master]

Some family stuff has cropped up and I haven’t revisited the fan yet. Thankfully it hasn’t got any louder. Will have to look into it before too long though.