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    Unplugging SG-2340/MBT-4220 CPU heatsink fan...

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    • stephenw10S
      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
      last edited by

      I would not run it without a fan. There are options for running the fan at a slower speed.

      I have tested a 12V fan at the 5V the standard fan runs from and it was.... just about OK.

      Steve

      rcfaR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • rcfaR
        rcfa @stephenw10
        last edited by rcfa

        @stephenw10 Thanks! If that's electrically not a problem, then that sounds like an option, because generally "low noise fans" start at 40mm and up.

        Unfortunately anything low noise in this form factor seems to either 12V, 3pin, wirelead... just not "5V 2pin" with either magnetic or ball bearing...

        This would seem OK, except for it comes with bare wires:

        Orion OD3510-05LLB
        available at alliedelec (won't let me post a link to the product page, as that's flagged as "spam")

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          It's impossible to say without testing that specific device. Really it's hard to recommend changing the cooling at all because it was tested with the stock fan and not anything else.

          The fan I tried was from something from China that cost almost nothing but took a month to arrive. It was barely audible at 5V but also barely moved any air!

          It's also possible to run the stock fan at 3.3V. That is quieter and went to 41C at 100% CPU in testing I did. I leave that as an exercise for the user though as I know at least one colleague here who tried it and connected the fan incorrectly toasting it. 😉

          Steve

          rcfaR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • rcfaR
            rcfa @stephenw10
            last edited by

            @stephenw10 Please tell more about the 3.3V option...

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              Well in your case I don't think it will be possible unfortunately since the 3.3V supply is on the low speed bus connector that has the GPS lure on it.

              Steve

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              • A
                akuma1x
                last edited by

                You could cool like this, it’s how I keep my SG-2220 at home really cold. Unplug the internal fan and add a fan kit available on Amazon. This fan kit (sorry, I don’t have a link handy) has a USB connector, two fans, and little stand posts so they sit on, or under, the equipment you’re trying to keep cool.

                I brought the temp of the pfsense box down to 71 F, from about 109 or 110F. The kit, I believe, was about $15 US. You do need to use the USB port on the box itself, or power thru an external power brick, like what charges your cell phone.

                Jeff

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • A
                  akuma1x
                  last edited by akuma1x

                  Here’s the link for the double kit- put 1 fan under, blowing up, put the other on top, blowing up:

                  AC Infinity MULTIFAN S7, Quiet Dual 120mm USB Fan for Receiver DVR Playstation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLV4BWC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mWV6CbVF2KYBN

                  There’s also a single fan kit, for a couple bucks less.

                  Something like this will make your setup a little bit messy, because of the cables and added bulk of the fan(s), but it could be tied up and dressed up neat. At least it works, and I was surprised by just how much the temp dropped.

                  Jeff

                  rcfaR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • rcfaR
                    rcfa @akuma1x
                    last edited by

                    @akuma1x Cool, in the truest sense of the word!
                    Thanks for the pointer!

                    By the way: how were you able to post the link? When I even try to post something resembling a link (even php error logs), the forum software flags it as "spam" and prevents me from posting it...

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • stephenw10S
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      It's the 'reputation' level. I upvoted a few of your posts, you should be good now.

                      Steve

                      rcfaR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • rcfaR
                        rcfa @stephenw10
                        last edited by

                        @stephenw10 said in Unplugging SG-2340/MBT-4220 CPU heatsink fan...:

                        It's the 'reputation' level. I upvoted a few of your posts, you should be good now.

                        Ah, thanks! I guess that didn't port over from the old forum software, since I figured I'm on here long enough, but with the switch to the new forum platform, that sort of stuff likely got reset.

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